Chinese White Tea

In China, Chinese white teas are considered rare. They're rare because in China most white tea is exported to our countries

Chinese tea drinkers have known this white tea's benefits for a long time, however it's only recently it has been discovered outside Asia. Today, everyone from chefs to medical researchers are singing the praises of its delicate flavor and health benefits.

Let's Discover Chinese White Tea

Chinese white tea is usually considered a subclass of green tea. It's slightly fermented with a body covered with fluffy white hair. It's typically harvested in the cold of earliest spring when tea bushes have shed their protective scales on the tips of their branches.

The delicate buds at the tips of the branches are carefully plucked and processed. The buds, as well as the first few unfurling leaves, are not allowed to oxidize.

What happens shortly after after picking, is the buds are naturally dried in sunlight or under low heat in a very well-ventilated area.

Unlike the oolong, black and pu-erh teas which undergo cellular oxidization to develop their fragrance, color and flavor, most white teas are formulated with the absence of this step. The result is a beverage whose taste is closest to fresh leaves from the tea bush.

Classifications of Chinese White Tea

Like other varieties of Chinese tea types, white tea is divided into different types. Silver Tip white tea and White peony tea are the two most commonly varieties. Let's take a look at each one:

• Silver Tip White Tea - This variety of white tea is produced in the Fuding and Zhenghe areas of Fujian province. Many tea drinkers consider this the top grade white tea.

During processing the buds are plucked when they're fully developed and ready to open. The beautifully acerose buds are covered with silvery hairs, giving the tea is name.

Some tea lovers even describe this tea as "white like cloud, green like dream, pure like snow, aromatic like orchid". And, believe it or not, every bud stands upright in the cup like bamboo shoots.

• White Peony Tea - Also known as "Pai Mu Dan", this Chinese white tea is made from the buds and leaves that remain after the famous silver tip white tea has been harvested.

This is sweet and mild, yet full-bodied, with a cup color darker and a bolder aroma. Its natural sweetness demonstrates the close relationship to silver tip white tea.

• Gong Mei - This is the third grade of Chinese white tea. This tea uses leaves from the Xiao Bai or Small White tea trees.

• Shou Mei - This is a fruity, furry Chinese white tea that's a blend of tips and upper leaf. According to some Chinese tea drinkers, Shou Mei has a stronger flavor, similar to oolong.

Also, Shou Mei is the fourth grade of white tea and is plucked later than the White Peony.

Today, these white tea varieties have reached America and many market researches predict consumers will share their enthusiasm, making this tea one of the hottest new food trends.