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Single Estate White Teas White teas are the most delicate and cherished of all teas; the finest varieties are appreciated by tea connoisseurs for their unmatched subtlety, complexity and natural sweetness. The production of White Teas During the plucking, great care has to be given to the selection of the leaves. Usually only the youngest leaves, still covered with short white hair or down are used. The leaves and buds grown for white tea are actually picked before the shoots open, which is attributed to the delicate nature of white tea. The production of most varieties of white tea consists of only two steps: Steaming and drying (some white teas are very slightly oxidized). The absence of withering, rolling and extended oxidation leaves the appearance of the leaves essentially unaltered. The white down of the unprocessed leaves is clearly visible and gives the final tea leaves their silver-white appearance. When infused, white tea has a pale yellow cup color and a delicate, fresh flavor. The two most popular white teas are the White Peony (also called "Pai Mu Tan" or "Bai Mudan") and the treasured Silver Needle. |
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