White Tea

White tea is created from new buds and young leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which helps explain why it has the most delicate flavor profile of all the “true” teas. Right after harvesting, these buds and leaves are steamed or fried to stop the oxidation process. Then the leaves are dried.

Different types of white tea include

• Bai Hao Yin Zhen (aka Silver Needle), which is a rare tea made only from buds. It has a floral scent and sweet flavor.
• Bai Mu Dan (aka White Peony), which has a slightly stronger flavor than Silver Needle thanks to the inclusion of young leaves as well as buds.
• Darjeeling White tea, which is grown in India and is usually less expensive than white teas grown in Yunnan.
• Gong Mei (aka Tribute Eyebrow), which is derived from more mature leaves and has a richer, earthier flavor than most other styles of white tea.
• Shou Mai (aka Long Life Eyebrow), which also is derived from more mature leaves and undergoes a longer oxidation process than other types of white tea.