Like all tea types, white tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant – an evergreen shrub native to Asia. So what makes white tea so different from the rest? It’s the least processed. While black teas are oxidized and green teas are pan-fired, white tea leaves are just plucked and laid out to dry – it’s as simple as that. There’s no rolling or altering of the leaf cells and absolutely nothing is done to promote oxidation.
If you like your tea with a little something extra, you’ll love white tea with a twist. We carry a variety of blends made with mouthwatering ingredients, from pieces of juicy fruit to aromatic flower petals and even chili.
The benefits of white tea
White tea is the least processed of the five main tea types, meaning all the skin-loving antioxidants found in the leaf aren’t broken down. What are antioxidants, you ask? They’re powerful compounds that help protect your body against free radicals, which can be linked to aging. That’s why when people are looking for something to keep them looking dewy and fresh, they’ll often reach for a white tea. With its hydrating properties, it’s also the perfect drink to sip when you’re feeling parched – especially iced.
How much caffeine is in white tea?
A common misconception is that white tea contains no caffeine. Not true! White tea can contain anywhere from 20-55 mg of caffeine per cup.
The truth is, the amount of caffeine in a cup of any tea depends on several factors including how the tea was grown, how much sun the plant was exposed to and whether or not the leaves were oxidized. But one of the biggest deciding factors is how much tea you use and how long you steep it for. It’s really that simple.
What does white tea taste like?
When it comes to white tea, there are two main types. Bai Hao Yin Zhen (aka Silver Needle) uses only the youngest leaves and buds, giving it a deliciously delicate and smooth flavour. Fun fact: the words Bai and Hao refer to the silvery white down on the leaves of the tea.
Next up, there’s Bai Mu Dan (aka White Peony). A mixture of buds and leaves, the taste tends to be more robust than Bai Hao – which makes it the perfect base for our refreshing flavoured white teas. When we add scrumptious ingredients like ginger, mango or pear, they don’t overpower the original flavour profile of the tea but rather complement it. Once you take a sip, you’ll understand exactly what we mean.
How to make the perfect cup of white tea
The best part about white tea? It’s a cinch to steep. To get the perfect cup every time, steep 1-2 Perfect Spoons of loose leaf in hot 90 oC/195 oF water so the tea can release its flavours. While we recommend steeping our white teas for 3-5 minutes, feel free play with steep times for your version of perfect. Pro tip: top with ice for a refreshing iced white tea (so good!).
Find the right white tea for you
FRUITY
What are we grateful for? White tea. Juicy pomegranates. Blends that taste amazing hot and iced. Sip this one and count your blessings – life’s a pretty sweet fruit.
What’s more irresistible than sweet peaches and cream? With its lightly energizing white tea base, this juicy blend is about to become your forever love.
One sip of this tea and you’ll do anything to get your hands on more. But who can blame you for going crazy? It’s fruity. It’s refreshing. It tastes just like a ripe piece of mango. In short, it’s total madness.
FLORAL
We don’t like to brag, but we’re pretty sure we just found the key to achieving nirvana. It’s easier than you think – just sip a cup of this delicately fruity, jasmine-scented white tea.
If you’ve been to Japan in the spring, then you know about the cherry blossoms. This cherry tea brings you right there.
With relaxing lemon balm, memory-boosting rosemary, skin-loving sea buckthorn and raspberry leaf, this delicately fruity white tea is pure bliss.
This meditative white tea is lightly scented with jasmine flowers and hand-rolled into little pearls that gently unfurl as they steep. Breathe in, breathe out.
TRADITIONAL
This is probably China’s most famous tea, created using only the silvery, hand-picked buds. It’s sweet, complex and lightly grassy.
With jasmine pearls and milk oolong, this luxurious mix is inspired by the classic tea blends enjoyed by monks in rural China. Delicately perfumed and lightly creamy, it’s pure heaven in a cup.
SWEET
Turkish coffee lovers, meet your new obsession – a deep and mellow white and black tea spiked with cardamom, coffee beans and a smooth dollop of cream.
We know we aren’t the only ones that bake cookies just to lick the spoon, so we created this sweet white tea blend with almonds, walnuts, caramel, brittle and chocolate chips.
SPICY
The combo of sweet, delicate pear and warm, spicy ginger is more than the sum of its parts – especially in this deliciously comforting, perfectly balanced white tea.
Kick things up a notch with the master of all cleansing teas. Bursting with tart lemon and a hint of cayenne pepper, it’s pure fire.
Make a White Peach Teapop
Speaking of iced white tea, this super easy recipe is something you HAVE to try. Featuring White Peach tea and topped with an invigorating splash of sparkling water, this satisfying thirstquencher will be your next hot-weather go-to.
Step 1
Steep 4 Perfect Spoons of White Peach tea with 2 tsp of agave (optional) in near-boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then discard loose leaf.
Step 2
Top with sparkling water and enjoy!
