The Worldwide Popularity Of White Tea
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: White Tea.

Tea is really an international drink. While it is produced almost exclusively in Asia, it is consumed virtually throughout the world. Strangely enough, however, all tea comes from only one bush: the Camellia sinensis. You might think it strange that all different flavors, including white, black, green, and wulong, could all come from the same plant, but, in fact, they do. The flavors are created by allowing the leaves to age for different periods of time. While white tea leaves are processed immediately, black tea leaves are oxidized over the course of weeks.

Black tea leaves are picked and allowed to age up to several weeks. The leaves turn a dark color due to exposure to air. Black tea is one of the most potent in terms of taste and caffeine. This tea has a long shelf live. Oolong tea leaves are aged less time than black leaves. Green tea leaves are aged only a couple of days. The white variety of tea leaves is not aged at all, and even may be shaded to maintain the pale color.

White leaves are picked directly from the tea bush and immediately processed to maintain their immature qualities. Immature buds and leaves that haven't been exposed to the sun are include with the new white leaves. New tea leaves are naturally pale with silvery fuzz, emphasizing their white color. Tea plants for white teas are sometimes shaded to ensure the pale color.

Medical benefits have always been associated with tea. There is much word-of-mouth evidence about the effectiveness of white tea medical benefits. Science is beginning to recognize that certain teas contain helpful anti-cancer antioxidants. White teas are claimed to have higher than normal levels of healing properties.

Additionally, these leaves usually have interesting names. For instance, the white tea leaves are often called such romatic things as white cloud, white peony, and golden moon. Some of these are grown in Asia, but outsideo f China. Specifically, the Darjeeling region in India is well known for its impeccable quality white tea. You have probably actually seen this tea for sale in the supermarket.