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There is a new tea emerging onto store shelves, and this has some people confused as to exactly what the difference is between this new tea, and the old standbys that have previously been available to consumers. It is "White Tea" and it is considerably more expensive than Black, Green or Oolong teas. The question is why? All four teas are derived from the camellia sinensis plant so why is this new tea so much more desirable than the others?

The difference between Black, Green and Oolong tea is the method by which they are processed for consumption. Black tea is fermented, green tea is not fermented but steamed instead so that it retains the majority of the polyphenols or antioxidants within it, and Oolong tea lies somewhere in the middle of the two. White tea is most similar in its processing method to Green Tea. But what makes white tea truly unique is the period within which it is picked. For White tea the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant are picked and harvested before the leaves fully open, it is at a time when the young buds of the plant are still covered in a fine white hair, hence is the reasoning why White Tea is the name given to the tea leaves derived from this special picking.

White tea Leaves are much rarer than other tea leaves, and for this reason, much more expensive. White Tea Leaves are also the healthiest of any of the teas currently available to consumers. Catechins concentrations are highest in unbroken, unfermented tea leaves and because they are the main component of White teas, White teas antioxidant content even surpasses that of Green Teas for the health benefits that it can provide. Studies also suggest that White teas contain higher levels of gallic acid and theobromine than do Green Teas.

Also whereas most Green Teas have a bitter or grassy taste to them, White Teas do not, they have a sweeter more subtle flavor which makes them much more pleasurable to consume. White tea also usually contains even less caffeine than Green Tea which was previously known to be one of the lowest caffeinated teas available. White teas also contains less fluoride than Green teas.

If you want to give this distinct tea a taste and are not too sure what to look for when shopping for it, White tea is classed into four distinct groups. The highest quality of White Tea is known as "Silver Needle" and is made from only the white buds of the camellia sinensis plant. The next highest ranked category of White Tea is "White Peony" and it is comprised of both the unopened leaves and young buds of this same plant. "Long Life Eyebrow" consists of the remaining leaves after the first two grades have been removed, and the lowest category is "Tribute Eyebrow". Other varieties of White Tea may bear the name of the areas that they are produced in such as Darjeeling Tea which is produced in India. The majority of White tea is currently produced within China and Japan.

If you are not too concerned about the current high price of White Teas, it is your best option for a healthy, enjoyable tasting tea. Enjoy!

Sources:
http://en.wikipe dia.org/wiki/White_tea
http://c offeetea.about.com/od/typesoft ea/a/whitetea.htm
http://www.wh iteteaguide.com/

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