White tea, why it is called white. Types of white tea, its benefits

White tea. Many of you wondered why tea is called white?

Because the color of the infusion is colorless? Not really. White tea can give the color of the infusion from almost colorless, like water, to saturated amber.

“Bai Hao!” Shouted traders in the markets of ancient China, inviting buyers. This meant that the proposed product is of the highest quality and is assembled from unblown tea buds covered with a white, silver cannon.

Bai Hao in translation means "Silver eyelash" or "Silver hair". Gentle tea buds, collected in early spring, are covered with fluffy silver fluff coat - this is how the plant protects and protects the fragile tea bud from possible frosts, like a mother protects her child by wrapping and warming it.

This wonderful tea is called white, because its production implies a minimum of transformations. Tea is harvested and dried in the sun (some varieties are shaded) - just as medicinal herbs are dried. Thanks to this method of processing, tea retains a maximum of useful properties.

The degree of fermentation of white tea is slightly higher than that of green tea, since oxidation is not stopped by baking or roasting. In the process of mild fermentation, tea acquires a soft, sweetish taste and a unique fantasy aroma with notes of exotic flowers.

The villi covering the tea bud are very beautiful in brewing - try brewing white tea in glassware and you can watch the separated villi dance and sparkle in brewing - it’s a spectacle like fireworks, a real delight for the visuals!

Types of white tea

There are several types of white tea, its quality, taste, aroma and useful properties depend directly on the quality of raw materials. The most valuable is the tea that is collected only from the unblown tea bud (tipsy). This tea is called Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needles). Accordingly, on the basis of these parameters, the cost of white tea is formed.

From the top leaves and unblown buds, raw materials are collected for Bai Mudan white tea (White Peony). This tea gives a more dense color of the infusion, its taste is richer and thicker, such white tea will appeal to those who prefer a rich taste to a softer and more tender one.
Much later, Shaw May (Elder's Eyebrows) is collected. This tea has an even more dense color of the infusion and taste, it can be observed and light terpchinka.

Recently, white tea has been kept in China, although initially it was thought that freshness, and only freshness, is the main indicator of its quality. But, as it turned out, aged (or aged) white tea acquires a new, completely different taste and properties. Herb leaves leave the aroma, the taste becomes deeper, sweeter and more intense - so that only you can decide what kind of white tea you like.

The Chinese consider white tea the most useful among all others, even healthier than green tea. But again, depending on how useful we are talking. White tea is very gentle, its main advantage (and maybe a disadvantage?) Over green is that it contains less caffeine. It does not increase the acidity of the stomach, is neutral in terms of pressure, and in general, it is the softest tea, which has no contraindications. White tea can be drunk at any age, during lactation and pregnancy, it is useful even for babies, like mother’s milk.

So - how is white tea useful?

For good health:

White tea boosts iimmunity, it is a wonderful and tasty prophylactic agent for cancer and colds, it rejuvenates the body and is a natural antioxidant.
White tea cleanses the body of toxins, burns excess fat, speeds up metabolism, promotes weight loss and recovery in general.
White tea strengthens the walls of blood vessels, is an excellent prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Due to the huge amount of vitamins and minerals - white tea improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails, strengthens bone tissue.
In cosmetology, white tea is used to improve the complexion, for the rejuvenation and treatment of inflammatory processes.
White tea can fight headaches, relieve pressure, relieve nervousness, alleviate cramps or other painful symptoms. Sometimes he adequately replaces the painkiller - checked. And without any negative effect on the liver.

For the soul:

White tea inspires. Its tonic effect is softer than that of green, but the anti-stress properties are perhaps brighter.
White tea inspires creativity, improves performance, improves overall tone and gently fills with energy of creation.
Sometimes white tea is compared to white wine - from a cup of a fragrant drink, the head becomes clear, thoughts are focused, the body is ready for action.

This tea can be drunk during the day - in the morning it will invigorate and adjust for productivity, after lunch it will help to assimilate the accepted food, in the evening it will relax, relieve fatigue. And drunk on the night - will give you fantastic pleasant dreams.