White tea is fast becoming a very popular drink in the Western world. Once consumed only in China and Japan, and only for the most elegant of occasions, white tea is now being consumed as an everyday beverage for people all over the world.
White tea is special because of its very light and delicate flavor and fragrance. Its far milder and less astringent than black teas, and lacks the grassy flavor of many green teas. In addition, white tea has all the health benefits of green tea, and possibly even more benefits.
Like black and green tea, white tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant. But, white teas are harvested much earlier than other teas, before the leaves are fully open and while they retain fine white hair on the buds.
White tea is also processed differently than black and green teas, in that it receives the virtually no processing. The leaves are simply dried and steamed. The steaming prevents the leaves from oxidizing, protecting the delicate flavor and helping the tea leaves retain their natural anti-oxidants.
These potent anti-oxidants have been shown to slow down the aging process and prevent serious illnesses like cancer and heart...