White tea properties and contraindications. White tea, benefits and harm

For true tea lovers, especially valuable are its white varieties, which are rightfully considered elite. After all, this tea has a lot of healing properties. No wonder the Chinese call it “the drink of immortality.” What is white tea, the benefits and harms of which have long been known in its homeland, China, you will learn from this article. First, let's figure out how this type of tea differs from others.

In China, this drink was considered imperial; only rich people could afford it. After all, it differs from other types of tea not only in taste, smell, properties and color, but also in the features of its collection and production. In addition, the product requires special storage and transportation conditions. All these factors ultimately determine its cost, which has long been considerable.

White tea is grown only in one province of China - Fujian. And its collection occurs only two days a year (one day in April, and another in September). At the same time, it is collected manually at a certain time - in the morning, strictly between 5 and 9 o'clock. True, today the product is grown in India, Vietnam, as well as Sri Lanka and some African countries, but white tea made in China is considered the most refined and therefore the most valuable.

Why does tea have this name? It is produced by harvesting tea buds, as well as the youngest leaves of the tea bush, which have a white coating, which determines the name of the product. More precisely, these are not even leaves, but arrows coming from the tea bud. They are called tips.

The most valuable tea is considered to be one made from one or two young, not yet blossomed, upper leaves of the tea bush. To produce 1 kilogram of elite white tea, you need to collect more than a hundred thousand tips. This is why the product has such a high price.

People involved in collecting the product should have sterile clean hands, and their breath should be fresh: free of spices and herbs, because these factors can affect the taste and aroma of the tea. Also, while preparing white tea, they are prohibited from using perfumes and cosmetics.

Unlike black and green tea, this type undergoes minimal heat treatment, as a result of which the maximum amount of beneficial substances is retained in the product. To do this, the tea leaves are first steamed for a minute and then sent for drying. Less valuable white teas may ferment slightly. All this is done by hand. The finished tea should not contain damaged or darkened leaves, their color should remain greenish-gray, and their bottom should be light, grayish-white.

The most popular varieties of white tea in China today are considered to be the “white peony” variety, which in its dry form resembles small unopened flowers, as well as “silver needles” tea, which is recognized by doctors around the world as a natural antidepressant. The preparation and storage of such a product is special, so it is not accessible to everyone: the cost of 1 kilogram of such tea is about 1000 US dollars.

Less expensive varieties of white tea also have beneficial properties. As a rule, they are made from raw materials rejected during the production of elite tea and go on sale in already crushed form. However, this tea also has an exquisite taste and aroma.

White tea, benefits and harm

The benefits and harms of white tea determined by its rich biochemical composition, which includes antioxidants, phenolic compounds (tannin and catechin), caffeine, various vitamins, minerals and other substances beneficial to health.

The main healing properties of white tea:

• due to the content of natural antioxidants, the product promotes the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, which has a positive effect on the condition of the cardiovascular system, and also prevents the development of cancer;
• the catechins it contains eliminate cholesterol, which minimizes the risk of diseases such as thrombosis;
• the presence of fluorides helps preserve tooth enamel, prevents the appearance of tartar and protects teeth from destruction;
• the combination of glutamic acid and phosphorus compounds has a positive effect on the nervous system, calms and relieves chronic fatigue;
• the presence of caffeine gives the drink invigorating properties that last throughout the day;
• antibacterial and immune-strengthening properties, which are especially valuable during the period of a surge in colds;
• due to the presence of vitamin P, the drink promotes rapid blood clotting, as well as the healing of various wounds;
• white tea does an excellent job of quenching thirst;
• The epigallocatechins contained in the product do an excellent job of normalizing metabolism, which promotes rapid and effective weight loss.

Can there be any harm from drinking white tea? By taking this drink in moderation, you do not have to worry about the negative consequences of taking it. But consuming it in large quantities, like any other product, can harm the body. First of all, this applies to women expecting a child, as well as nursing mothers. The theophylline and caffeine contained in white tea can overstimulate the nervous system of the fetus or baby, which can adversely affect the formation of their nervous system, as well as the functioning of the heart.

White tea is contraindicated in the following cases:

• the presence of peptic ulcers, as well as increased stomach acidity;
• acute stage of kidney and genitourinary system diseases, as well as the presence of kidney stones;
• increased blood pressure;
• increased excitability of the nervous system and insomnia.

How to brew white tea correctly?

In order to get the maximum benefit and minimum harm to your health when drinking the drink, you need to know how to prepare white tea correctly. In this case, all factors that will help preserve all its healing properties should be taken into account. This is primarily the temperature and quality of the water used for brewing, the storage conditions of the product, as well as the material of the container in which the drink will be brewed.

Basic rules for brewing white tea:

1. The water is brought to a boil and allowed to cool to 60-70 degrees. Under no circumstances brew tea with boiling water, which will not only destroy all its beneficial properties, but also worsen its taste and aroma. It is best to use soft water, as hard water will change the taste of the tea for the worse.
2. Before brewing, a glass or ceramic teapot is rinsed with boiling water and two pinches of dry tea leaves are placed there for each cup. Do not use metal containers for brewing, this will distort the taste of the drink.
3. The tea leaves are filled with water, leaving some space in the teapot.
4. Infuse the drink for 3-5 minutes and pour into cups.

You can brew white tea three times. It is believed that it is during the second brewing that its exquisite taste and subtle aroma are revealed to the maximum. The infusion time for the drink when brewing again should be a couple of minutes.

The taste of white tea is self-sufficient, so it is drunk in its pure form, without adding sweeteners, milk or other additives. To fully enjoy the taste of the drink, do not drink it with baked goods or other sweets.

White tea, the benefits and harms of which have long been studied by experts, will not only amaze you with its interesting taste and aroma, but also, if taken correctly, will give you energy and good health for the whole day!

Diets and healthy eating 13.05.2017

Dear readers, today we will talk to you about an interesting and healthy drink that you may have already tried, namely white tea. I like to share with you the secrets of achieving harmony of soul and body, therefore, today I again invited representatives of the online tea store Tea Valley, who will be happy to tell you all the intricacies and features of this interesting drink.

Good afternoon to all readers of Irina Zaitseva’s blog. White tea is quite a popular product in our store; many who bought one of the varieties come back for repeat purchases. Obviously, people are interested in and like this type of tea, and we now want to tell you in detail what white tea is, the benefits and harms of which will be discussed in detail in this article.

Features of white tea and appearance

White tea. What it is? What kind of tea? To begin with, we would like to immediately clarify that white tea is collected from the same tea bushes as other types - green or black. The whole secret lies in the time of collection and the processing of tea leaves. The collection begins at the end of February (this is early spring in China) and continues until the last days of May. White tea is harvested only at this time of year.

Very early in the morning, when dawn has just broken, pickers select from the tea bushes only young, barely blossoming buds, which are still covered with “fluff” - small whitish fibers - which is why the tea got its name - white. The most elite varieties require the collection of only such top flushes. In other options, the presence of the very first leaf that opens, as well as three that grow immediately below it, is allowed.

Valuable and refined Chinese white tea.

It is important to say here that after picking, tea leaves undergo the least amount of processing of all teas. The fact is that the recipe for making white tea is considered the most ancient; it came to us from those times when tea was known only in China itself and was collected as a medicinal herb.

Surprisingly, the procedure for preparing white tea has remained virtually unchanged since then. Of course, each tea master prepares the leaves in his own way, but nevertheless, the general principles are always preserved.

So, creating white tea consists of only two steps:

1. After picking, the tea leaves are placed on special trays and dried for 1 or 2 days in a natural state.

2. Next, the finished tea raw material, which is called “mao cha,” is slightly steamed. This is done in order to “seal”, “preserve” the taste and all the properties of white tea inside the leaf itself.

The loose finished product is then carefully packaged and sent for sale.

White tea also comes in pressed form. Let's take a little look at why and how this is done.

To do this, take not freshly prepared tea, but one that has been sitting for a year or more. Fresh white tea is stored in wooden boxes or special bags. Then, after the time has elapsed, when the tea master decides that it is time, the tea is sent for pressing in the form of a pancake, using the same technology as Pu-erh tea.

Pressed white tea can be stored for many years without losing its taste. The whole point is that pressing creates a special microclimate inside the pancake, which helps enhance its taste and properties.

White tea: health benefits. Is there any harm possible?

Now let's see how healthy (and maybe harmful) white tea is. So, if you are interested in the benefits and harms of white tea, we suggest delving into the “tea” jungle, and starting with the beneficial properties of this drink.

Properties and benefits of white tea

The beneficial properties of white tea have been known since the Chinese Shang Dynasty. This drink was offered to the emperor and his family as an elixir of longevity.

It is known that white tea contains the maximum amount of vitamins and nutrients. The fact is that minimal processing of tea leaves allows you to preserve in this drink everything that nature itself has endowed it with.

Young tea buds and leaves from which white tea is made contain a large amount of essential oils and active substances that determine the beneficial properties of the drink. Also, a noble Chinese drink made from white tea leaves perfectly quenches thirst and gives vigor. When wondering about the benefits of white tea, I would like to note that this drink is considered rejuvenating. Yes, yes, it is he who is really capable of cleansing our body at the cellular level and slowing down the aging process. Regular consumption of white tea provokes the destruction of free radicals, which contribute to premature aging of the body.

White tea has a beneficial effect on the entire body, namely:

• Improves skin condition, filling it with energy and health;
• Activates the immune system and helps fight seasonal infections;
• Accelerates metabolism, due to which the drink is widely used in the process of losing weight;
• Cleanses the body of toxins and waste;
• Prevents the appearance of caries and plaque;
• Used as a folk remedy against cancer.

White tea contains minimal amounts of caffeine. Thanks to this, the drink has a delicate, light taste and does not have a negative effect on the nervous system.

Harm of white tea

So, the benefits of white tea are obvious. Can this imperial drink harm our body?

Here, a lot depends on whether you have certain chronic diseases and your current state of health. Despite the fact that many people love white tea and recommend it to their friends, this drink still has some contraindications.

• severe gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• serious heart disease;
• hypertension (at the time of exacerbation);
• urolithiasis.

Well, and of course, let’s not forget about individual intolerance: if you experience discomfort after drinking tea, perhaps white tea is not suitable for you.

Due to the fact that the drink contains the youngest tea leaves, its taste is quite light and refreshing. Most varieties have a characteristic floral, fruity taste. Unlike some teas, white tea is always very refreshing and does not leave a heavy, dense trail in the aftertaste. And if you want to enjoy the noble taste of white tea for as long as possible, then brew the drink stronger.

Residents of the Middle Kingdom believe that the taste of white tea depends on several factors: the location of the plantation, the quality of the tea leaves, and the mood of the pickers. It is believed that white tea absorbs not only the warmth of the sun's rays and the freshness of the air, but also the energy of the people who work on the plantations, therefore quite strict requirements are imposed on the tea harvesters. They are prohibited from using perfume before the gathering, smoking or drinking the day before.

White tea varieties

Today there are several varieties of white tea. The most popular of them are:

• Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needles);
• Bai Mu Dan (White Peony);
• Show Mei (Eyebrows of Longevity).

Now let’s talk to you about each of these varieties and lift the curtain on the “tea” secrets of the Celestial Empire.

Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needles)

This is a famous variety of white tea. It has characteristic needle-like leaves, covered with thick white hair, shimmering silver in the light - hence the name of the variety.

True connoisseurs of white tea consider this drink one of the most refined and noble. Its subtle and delicate aroma will surely lure you with its freshness and lightness. For this drink, only the top bud is collected, without the opened leaf. The process of collecting flushes is very labor-intensive, so this drink is not often found on sale.
The bouquet of brewed Silver Needles is thin, light, permeated with the spring aromas of flowering trees, with a slight sourness in the aftertaste. The color of the infusion is light caramel, darkening with prolonged brewing.

Bai Mu Dan (White Peony)

Also very popular and appreciated by many gourmets. It is grown in Fuding County, on high mountain plantations, where the tea leaves are saturated with the sun and the aromas of the gardens blooming at this time, which the wind brings. Outwardly, it does not look like any Chinese tea. Unlike Bai Hao Yin Zhen, here tea leaves are also collected with the bud.

The taste of the drink is also delicate and soft. In it you can distinguish fruity shades, combined with a vanilla, slightly caramel note. It tastes a little like birch sap. The infusion is light, from pale golden to deep golden.

Shou Mei (Longevity Eyebrows)

Quite noticeably different from previous brothers not only in appearance, but also in taste. Raw materials for Shou Mei are collected later than for other varieties, and they are subjected to deeper processing after collection. Due to this, the leaves acquire a characteristic dark color.

This drink is memorable for its strong, bright bouquet. Honey-floral notes are combined with a characteristic herbal taste with many shades. After drinking tea, a sweet fruity-caramel aftertaste remains. The infusion has a rich, dark amber color for white teas.

Rules for brewing white tea

So, dear friends, we have looked at some varieties, now it’s time to learn how to brew them correctly. To do this, we are happy to share the secrets of getting a tasty and healthy drink in your cup.

Before brewing white tea, open the package and fully enjoy its aroma. Get ready for real pleasure while drinking white tea.

You can brew white tea in any container convenient for you, and, as we will now see, there is nothing complicated about it.

1. First, we need to warm up the dishes. You can rinse the kettle and cups with boiling water. This is done so that the poured tea leaves gradually begin to “awaken.”

2. Pour the tea leaves at the rate of 5 grams per 150 milliliters of water, close the lid and let the tea stand for a while without water so that it warms up a little.

3. Dear readers, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that Chinese white tea does not need to be poured with boiling water. Too hot water destroys beneficial substances and changes the taste of the drink for the worse. The ideal water temperature is 80-85 degrees. Pour our tea with this water and immediately drain all the water. The first, it is also called “zero” brew, is not drinkable!

In this way we “rinse” the tea leaves, and this also helps to further reveal the tea’s potential.

4. Pour hot water again. Now let the drink brew for 30-60 seconds and pour into cups. Now our white tea is ready! Here it must be said that if you overstay the brewing time, nothing bad will happen. Unlike other teas (black or green), it will not be bitter. Perhaps white tea is the only drink that is so patient with long brewing times.

But keep in mind that in this case the taste may not be so multifaceted, and subsequent brewings will be weak. Here we want to note that white tea can be brewed 5-8 times, if it is not over-steeped in the teapot. Each time the drink will sound new - we guarantee you that!

Now are you ready to have a real white tea ceremony? To enjoy your tea, it is very important to choose high-quality white tea. Let's look at how to do this.

How to choose and where to buy high-quality real white tea

You need to understand that white tea, in general, is not created in very large quantities. The short time it takes to collect the topmost leaves cannot make this noble drink a product of mass consumption. For this reason, good white tea is a one-off product, an exclusive product that cannot be found in supermarkets and grocery stores. Therefore, it is not found everywhere. A good drink can only be bought in tea stores, and preferably those that directly cooperate with the supplier. In such a place you can find exceptionally high-quality varieties.

When choosing white tea, we advise you to pay attention to its appearance, as well as the quality of the packaging - it must be airtight. In our online store, all teas are packaged in a craft bag, which is foil-lined on the inside and sealed on top. We chose this type of tea packaging not by chance, as it creates excellent conditions for preserving the contents.

Before you make a decision and buy white tea in an online store, take a closer look at the price of the variety you like. If we are talking about good tea, its price should match. High-quality tea, which was produced in compliance with all rules and technologies, will never be too cheap.

If you are looking for good Chinese tea, we strongly recommend that you pay attention to the fact that the seller must provide guarantees of the quality of his product. Products must have certificates of compliance with all production norms and standards.

The online store “Valley of Tea” is a well-known supplier of elite varieties of real Chinese tea, which guarantees the high quality of its products. If you want to purchase white tea, our experts will be happy to help you choose the right variety and answer any tea questions.

Order white tea

“Valley of Tea” was with you: try this exclusive drink, it will surely become a highlight in your tea collection!

I thank the guests for the information. What a valuable, exquisite, healthy white tea! I wish everyone a wonderful mood, health and real tea aromas. And I also want to add that on my blog I present only verified online stores.

And for inspiration, we will listen to the composition Let It Go Vivaldi's Winter from an interesting duet

Tea is a delicious and aromatic drink that many people love. It is a cup of tea that is offered to dear guests; tea drinking is an excellent excuse to meet with friends; this drink helps to warm up on a winter evening and relax after a busy day of work.

There are quite a few varieties of tea: black, green, blue, red, white. These types of tea differ not only in taste and color, but also in the way the tea leaves are processed. White tea is an elite and expensive type of drink - due to the raw materials used and the method of collection and processing.

Description of the drink

White tea is produced from certain varieties of tea bushes. The most famous variety is Da Bai Hao, which translates as “big white fluff.” Also, the elite drink is made from the light Shui Xiang and dark Shui Xiang varieties. The habitat of elite tea bushes is the mountain slopes of Fujian province. Plants are grown at an altitude of 1000-2100 meters.

Tea bushes growing in mountainous areas bloom their leaves very early - in early March or late February. Closed buds and young leaves of shrubs that are just beginning to bloom are covered with a whitish coating that protects the plants from low temperatures. It is believed that the more of this coating on the plant, the better and healthier the drink will be.

The collection of raw materials begins in the middle of the first spring month. Buds and young leaves are collected by hand, the time is from 5 to 9 am. When harvesting, the weather should be sunny, without precipitation.

There are strict rules that pickers must follow: no eating hot spices, drinking alcohol before starting work, wearing perfume or smoking. These precautions are necessary to ensure that no foreign smell spoils the taste and aroma of the future elite tea. If during harvest it starts to rain and a strong wind rises, it is believed that the soaked raw materials will not produce real white tea.

The pickers are tearing only the top leaves from the shoot, this is done very carefully and carefully so as not to crush the raw materials. After collection, the raw materials undergo sun-shade fermentation. The leaves are dried alternately in the shade and in sunlight. This is followed by light heat treatment in special ovens with strictly maintained temperatures and packaging of raw materials in containers. But drinking freshly dried white tea is not recommended, it is advisable to start taste the drink only a month after the final fermentation.

The first mention of elite white tea dates back to the 12th century. At that time it was the favorite drink of the Chinese emperors. It was valued for its taste, aroma, tonic effect on the human body and was considered an effective remedy against many diseases.

What varieties are there?

There are 4 main varieties of white tea.

The rarest and most expensive has a name Bai Hao Yin Zhen, which translates to “Silver Needles.” The raw material for this drink is unopened tea buds from the upper shoots of the bushes. The buds are covered with white down. The raw materials undergo minimal fermentation, which allows you to preserve the maximum of nutrients. Dried tea looks characteristic - the buds look like small silver needles. The needles must be straight; if the buds are curved or twisted, the production technology was not followed and the quality of the tea is considered low.

Another famous variety of white tea, distinguished by its excellent taste and unusual color, is Bai Mu Dan(White Peony). When preparing raw materials for this type of tea, the upper bud and a pair of lower leaves are used. When producing the drink, secret traditional technologies are observed, which are passed on from generation to generation. Tea White Peony has an unusual fruity and floral aroma, but no flavoring additives or additional impurities are used during production.

Another variety - Show Mei, translated as “old man’s eyebrows,” grows in the provinces of Fujian and Guangxi. The raw materials are the top buds and leaves; they are harvested much later than other varieties of white tea. This affects the taste and color of the drink - tea is stronger, tart and dark.

White tea Gong Mei is the most accessible and less expensive than other varieties. When collecting and processing raw materials, less gentle technologies are used and most of the young leaves and buds from the bushes are used.

What substances are contained in this tea?

Due to the fact that gentle technologies are used in tea production with minimal impact on raw materials, the drink retains a very large amount of beneficial substances. The composition of white tea is very impressive:

Beneficial properties of white tea

The drink has long been considered an elixir of health and longevity. There are legends about its beneficial properties. It is believed that 2 cups of white tea per day reduces the risk of cancer by 30%. The substance epigallocatechin gallate, which is found in large quantities in tea leaves, provides protection.

The white coating, which remains in the tea even after fermentation, consists of a mixture of essential oils. These substances help in the fight against inflammatory processes in the body. Also, white tea ideally quenches thirst during the hot season.

The drink is capable of evoking positive emotions in a person and inducing a state of relaxation and peace.

Thanks to its unique composition, tea helps cleanse the human body of toxins and waste and remove heavy metals. Helps you recover faster in case of poisoning, intoxication, dehydration.

The drink has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. A variety of essential oils improve blood flow to the alveoli of the lungs and bronchi, destroy pathogens in the oral cavity, providing a bactericidal effect.

Use of tea in beauty treatments

Tea helps you lose weight. This property of the drink was discovered in 2009. After studying the effects of tea on metabolic processes in the body, it was found that the drink inhibits the growth of fat cells. Tea also has a diuretic effect and regulates water balance.

Face masks made from brewed white tea are very useful. The skin receives a maximum of nutrients, is moisturized, and acquires a healthy color. It is very good to freeze white tea ice cubes. Rubbing the skin with ice tones, nourishes and moisturizes it, which is very important in the hot season.

White tea wraps help get rid of cellulite, improve appearance and improve skin tone.

Benefits during pregnancy

The drink is good for pregnant women. It's all about its healing composition and complex of rare and useful substances. Tea reduces fatigue, improves mood, and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs.

Fluoride and calcium contained in the drink protect teeth from caries and strengthen bone tissue.

Antibacterial effect Helps protect the body from various infectious diseases, prevents the development of inflammatory processes.

Harmful properties

Oddly enough, this drink is absolutely safe and very healthy. Scientists have not found any contraindications or harmful effects when taking this drink.

How to brew white tea correctly

There are two ways to brew this drink: hot and cold.

1. Cold way brewing is used when you need to prepare a drink that quenches your thirst as much as possible. To do this, pour 10 grams of dry leaves with slightly warm boiled water (300 grams) and leave the tea to steep overnight. In the morning, the healing drink is ready; you need to drink it in small sips.
2. Hot way brewing. The water should not be boiling. The optimal temperature is 60-70 degrees. The proportions of the drink are 5 grams of dry tea leaves per 150 grams of water. The teapot should be glass or porcelain. Leave the brew for at least 15 minutes. Drinking tea leaves can be refilled with hot water; the benefits and taste of the tea will not change.

White tea is a healing drink that protects against many diseases. The only drawback of this health elixir is its rather high price.

The benefits of white tea were known many years ago. Initially, only members of the Chinese imperial family could appreciate all the luxury of the drink. If the emperor treated any of the nobles to a wonderful drink, this was equated with the highest praise and favor of the ruler. The cost of tea was simply enormous, but it was also difficult to find. Those who collected buds and leaves were subject to very high demands: they were not allowed to consume alcohol, spices with a strong aroma, garlic and other products, the smell of which could be transferred to the freshly harvested crop. The method of preparing white tea was kept a big secret for many years.

The birthplace of the drink of the emperors, or the “elixir of immortality”, as it was also called, is considered to be a small village in Fujian province. And although researchers have established other places of growth, the most elite varieties could only be collected there. Its delicate aroma and exquisite taste quickly gained popularity among tea lovers even today. But it has still not been possible to graft the plant outside its historical homeland. An analogue of white tea grows in the mountains of Sri Lanka, but it cannot compete with real Chinese tea.

Nutritional value of white tea and its chemical composition

100 g of tea leaves contains:

It is worth noting that all beneficial substances are preserved due to minimal heat treatment of the fresh product (only 2 minutes). White tea occupies a leading position in the amount of useful substances among drinks, while the caffeine content in it is minimal compared to other varieties.

To put it in simple and understandable language, it contains:

• vitamins A, B1, B2, B15, C, P, PP;
• microelements;
• amino acids, etc.

The beneficial properties of white tea allow you to drink the drink at any time of the day. High demands even on the time of collection, and I collect it only a couple of hours early in the morning on a sunny day, as well as the natural drying of the leaves under the sun’s rays, preserve the pleasant taste and beneficial components.

The benefits of white tea for the body

The drink received its second name “elixir of immortality” for a reason. Thanks to its constituent components, it has a beneficial effect on blood circulation, normalizes blood pressure, reduces the risk of blood clots, and lowers cholesterol levels. Scientists have noted the amazing beneficial properties of white tea for diabetes, obesity, and chronic fatigue. It helps the body build immunological defenses against cancer, aging, and infectious diseases. With regular use, the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is reduced.

Thanks to essential oils, contained even in small quantities, white tea has a magical aroma, and also effectively quenches thirst and refreshes. A little caffeine stimulates and keeps the body in good shape. Even dentists did not remain indifferent to the beneficial properties of white tea, noting its positive effect on the body in the fight against the formation of caries. The ability to remove waste, toxins, alcohol and nicotine is also important.

For those who are in a stressful situation, the drink is simply irreplaceable. It improves blood circulation in the brain, relieves fatigue and fear, and relaxes. White tea is beneficial even for allergy sufferers, because it has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. But young ladies will certainly be interested in its ability to break down fats, which makes white tea simply an essential supplement when losing weight.

Harm of white tea

Why is white tea harmful? Scientists have not yet found an answer to this question, so pregnant women and children are allowed to drink white tea. The only exception may be people with individual intolerance to the product or allergies to its components.

Helpful advice: White tea is best bought in May-June, but not packaged. Since the sheets are quite fragile, they are transported very carefully. In packages they will simply lose their properties. But the timing of the purchase is due to the fact that there is a greater likelihood of purchasing this year’s brew, which has not had time to lose all its beneficial substances. Pay attention to the shelf life! It should not exceed 12 months.

How to brew white tea

If 1 liter of drink is being prepared, then 3 tbsp is added to the water. spoons of tea leaves. 2 teaspoons are required per cup. There is no need to pour boiling water; a water temperature of 70-75 degrees is sufficient. Afterwards the drink is left to brew for 10 minutes. It is recommended not to add sugar. In order not to lose all the beneficial properties of white tea, you should drink it within 15-20 minutes.

White is especially respected due to its low oxidation and fermentation. White tea is one of the most expensive and refined types of tea. And if you like to arrange tea ceremonies for yourself, then such a drink will bring a lot of positive emotions and add to your collection.

What types of tea are there?

In the modern pace of life, you rarely have the opportunity to take your time and treat yourself to your favorite drink. Basically, many people drink tea or other drinks “on the run.” At the moment there are many different types of tea, the most common and well known are green, yellow, red and even blue tea. The color depends mainly on the method of its assembly, as well as storage and processing. As mentioned above, one of the most expensive and rare types of this drink is white tea. The beneficial properties are something that is of great value to the Chinese (white tea is grown mainly in China). Therefore, they are reluctant to export it.

Difficult collection, processing and storage process

As a rule, white tea is processed at the point of collection due to the fact that it spoils quickly. The treatment takes no more than a minute with hot steam, then the leaves are laid out in the sun and dried until fully cooked. This method is most common when processing white tea, because with it this drink loses a minimum of its beneficial properties and retains all its good qualities.

Harvesting white tea is considered a labor-intensive process. The point here is this: in order to collect a kilogram of high-quality produce, it is necessary to process more than one hundred thousand small white leaves. Hence the price. Now it’s clear why white tea is so expensive. But the store now offers decent brands of the drink, and not so expensive. These are white tea “Greenfield”, “Lipton”, “Curtis” and others.

Tea is collected from the very tops of the corresponding bush. This place is called the “upper tipsa”. There are only a few leaves in this place. Another nuance is that tea fibers germinate only in early April, and tea is harvested only within two days. Collection takes place from 5 - 9 am.

White tea, the beneficial properties of which you will find in the article below, has a powerful aroma and delicate taste. This drink can easily be spoiled by foreign odors that may be present during storage, transportation and processing. Therefore, when assembling tea, workers are prohibited from wearing perfume, smoking, eating spicy food, and so on. White tea is so capricious that it can not only absorb foreign odors, but also quickly deteriorate because of it. An interesting point is that when white tea begins to be harvested, orchards bloom in the Chinese provinces, and this is a strong aroma of flowers, and the first fibers that sprout on the tea tree instantly absorb them. This flowering process gives the drink the taste and aroma of spring flowers.

Tea storage

White tea, the beneficial properties of which disappear if stored improperly, requires a serious approach. Storing white tea is an art that allows you to preserve the taste and aroma. The jar in which the product is stored must be tightly closed and not allow rays of light or foreign odors to pass through. In addition, humidity can cause strong odors. You will certainly feel this if you store your tea in an open place or in a container that is not tightly closed. All these are important rules for storing a drink like white tea. It will not cause harm if you follow them. A kilogram of white tea costs from 500 rubles to 1000 dollars.

Pay attention to the leaves!

Some sellers try to pass it off as white. It is important to be vigilant when choosing a product and buy it only in specialized stores that have product quality certificates. To distinguish white from green tea, look at the leaves. White tea leaves should be whole and even. Breaking or twisting, foreign odors are not allowed. A normal white tea leaf looks silvery on top and shimmers with a green tint, and the bottom of the leaf should have a whitish fluff. Normal white tea should smell like flowers or herbs.

Healing drink

For many, white tea is a luxury and also a way to make a good impression on people. Many people appreciate both the taste and aroma of the drink. But there are people who prefer this type of product solely because of its beneficial properties. White tea (reviews say that it is really useful) is a medicine in the literal sense. In ancient China, the drink was served only to the emperor as a healing product that was able to give strength, overcome headaches, chills and clarify thoughts.

White tea - a replacement for vitamins?

Thanks to minimal processing of the product and careful storage in accordance with all instructions, you can experience all the healing properties that white tea is famous for. The beneficial properties are manifested due to the content of antioxidants, polyphenols, and bioflavonoids, which prevent the aging process of the body and the formation of cancer cells. They are also able to strengthen the immune system and maintain antimicrobial properties. In addition, tea has an antiviral effect. The drink helps the body fight aging and the formation of harmful cells. This tea can really replace an entire pharmacy. People call it “miracle tea” because it really has healing properties and helps to heal the patient and put him back on his feet. By the way, this drink normalizes metabolic processes in the body. One cup of this tea contains as many vitamins as one carrot. The benefits of white tea also affect your teeth. It contains fluorides, which are responsible for the health of human teeth. They keep teeth intact and also fight tartar and the development of caries in children and adults. If you suffer from high blood pressure, then white tea is the real key to solving the problem. This product can lower blood pressure and improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. And yet, tea removes excess cholesterol from the blood.

How to brew correctly?

We hope you understand how to properly store such a product in the house, and now let’s move on to the question of how to brew white tea. You can’t just pour boiling water over it and start drinking it in five minutes. It needs careful handling. To prepare white tea you will need filtered or spring water. Next, this water will need to be brought to a boil, but not boiled. After this, the water must be cooled to seventy degrees and poured into a ceramic teapot. Attention! You need to preheat it, it shouldn't be cold. In order to prepare one cup of the drink, you will need about two to three teaspoons of tea (it all depends on the person’s preferences). After you have prepared everything, pour the prepared water from a ceramic teapot into the tea and steep it for five minutes. After this, you can brew the same tea up to 2 more times, depending on its taste. The first time you need to brew it for exactly five minutes.

How to brew a drink for health

If you want to brew and drink tea for medicinal purposes, then you need a slightly different approach. For medicinal purposes, white tea is brewed for fifteen minutes. You need to drink this infusion three times a week for three or four weeks. After the drink has steeped, it may take on a golden-green or yellow color. Don't be alarmed, this is a normal process. These brewing methods are not suitable for bagged tea, such as Greenfield white tea. It should be brewed based on the instructions given on the box.

The art of drinking

Tea is usually drunk slowly. It's a whole ceremony. To prepare white tea, you need to go through many stages, and this is the art of preserving all the beneficial properties. You need to drink tea slowly, exclusively in its pure form. If you add cream or milk to a drink, it can quickly spoil and acquire completely different properties. In other words, this drink needs to be savored and brewed to taste. You may not like it because you may have stored it incorrectly, and it has absorbed foreign odors and deteriorated. In addition, you should not drink white tea with any food or sweets. Even chocolate or cake can spoil the experience of a drink. The tea contains minimal amounts of caffeine and tannin, which means it can be easily drunk at night.

And remember, the best white tea is the one that was collected and stored correctly!