White Tea comes from the same tea plant called Camellia sinensis, which also produces Black, Green and Oolong varieties. The difference in these teas comes from what happens once the leaves have been picked and the various processing involved.

What is White Tea?

This tea comes from the Camellia sinensis tea plant. The leaves are harvested once the buds of the plant have just opened. There is a white fuzz still on the immature tea leaves, which is where the name for the tea comes from. The dried tea looks yellow in appearance.
From there, the opened buds are not fermented, dried or wilted but steamed. This preparation gives the tea a gentle, sweet, subtle flavour without the 'grassy' aftertaste associated with green tea.

The benefit of steaming the leaves produces a delicate tasting tea and one which has greater health benefits than either black, green or oolong varieties.

What is White Tea Used For?

This tea has the highest concentration of an antioxidant called polyphenols, also called polyphenolics, than any of the other tea varieties. This is because white tea is the least processed of all the teas. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that fight unhealthy cells and protect your healthy cells from becoming damaged and potentially unhealthy.

Antioxidants like Polyphenols also protect your arteries from atherosclerotic plaques. They protect your brain, eyes and skin from normal wear and tear associated with normal aging.

In fact, this tea is known for its longevity characteristics. Because it protects you from aging and cellular damage, it promotes longevity.

It's also great for your immune system. In a 2004 study from Pace University, it was concluded that white tea can help your immune system fight off viruses and infection-causing bacteria.

White tea is also naturally high in fluoride, which cleans and fights dental decay by killing the organisms which cause infection and cavities. It also strengthens teeth and bones, which is important for osteoporosis prevention.

How Does White Tea Work?

White Tea's medicinal effects are largely from its high polyphenolic concentration of antioxidants.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals in your body, preventing them from causing cellular damage, which is also called oxidative damage.

A study out of Oregon State University noted this tea has a very content of another antioxidant called Catechin. Catechin was found to inhibit the growth of mutated cells. According to the American Cancer Society, drinking white tea may reduce the recurrence of mutated breast cells in survivors.

Catechins also reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. Studies also show that drinking this tea reduces serum cholesterol levels.

Catechins may also increase weight loss as they inhibit adipogenesis (the making of adipose cells) while also stimulating fat-burning activity in your body.

Oxidative damage can harm your cardiovascular system, contribute to atherosclerosis, eye damage, vision impairment and skin damage.

Specifically, how it works is by the antioxidant donating an electron to unstable free radicals. This neutralizes them and inactivates their harmful behaviour.

Ways To Use It

White tea can be drunk either hot or cold. Dosage is 1-2 tsp of loose leaf per 8 oz cup of hot water. Let steep 5 – 8 min. This tea can be consumed as much as you like. White tea does contain caffeine, although in lower amounts than black or green tea.