White tea from what. White tea is a drink of immortality, what are its benefits and harms? How to choose a quality product when buying

For most families, tea is their favorite drink. A large number are known different types tea, which can differ from each other in many parameters: the degree of maturity of the tea leaf, the place of collection, the method of preparation and processing. The taste of the drink, as well as its properties, strongly depend on these parameters.

Black tea and green tea are in the greatest demand. And only true connoisseurs who know a lot about this drink prefer white tea, which has a unique taste and subtle aroma. It is white that is considered a real pearl among all varieties of teas.

It is not for nothing that for a long time it was available exclusively to members of the imperial family. The technology of its production was classified, certain requirements were imposed on the pickers of tea, and its collection was carried out only a few days a year in the morning. Let's look at the benefits and harms of white tea.

The name of the drink was due to the white villi covering the buds and leaves of the plant. Minimal processing of tea leaves practically does not damage them and does not change appearance, and also contributes to the maximum preservation of nutrients. For its manufacture, the upper tender buds and adjacent leaves are collected.

Advice! real tea This variety is only sold by weight. At the same time, you should not choose tea produced more than a year ago.

Varieties

The most elite varieties of this tea are considered to be Silver Needles, as well as White Peony. The main difference between these two varieties is as follows: the first one is made from young leaves that have not yet blossomed and look like needles (hence the name). White peony is already made from buds and leaves.

Also considered to be good varieties are bearing the funny names Eyebrows of the Elder (Show Mei) and Eyebrows of longevity or gift (Gong Mei), but they are somewhat inferior in taste to the previous two varieties.

The drink has an overall sweetish taste, but bitterness is felt. Pleasant herbal scent.

Advice! Authentic white tea is produced in only one Chinese province - Fujian. Even the Chinese themselves consider dry tea leaves produced elsewhere to be fake.

Composition and effect on the human body

No wonder white tea is called the drink of youth and longevity - it has collected and stores a large amount of useful substances, vitamins and trace elements that have a beneficial effect on human health:

1. Caffeine. Known for its tonic effect. Perfectly refreshes and quenches thirst.
2. Phenolic compounds, in particular tannins and catechins. Normalize metabolism, promote weight loss. Epigallocatechin gallate is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which helps the body to accumulate and absorb vitamins C and P from the foods consumed. This, in turn, improves the elasticity of blood vessels and normalizes blood pressure. In addition, catechins increase the body's sensitivity to insulin, which is very important for diabetics.
3. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C, PP, P and K. Tea contains a large amount of vitamin P. It increases the ability of the blood to clot, so that wounds heal much faster. Largely due to this property, the drink was called the "elixir of immortality": quickly healing wounds, it helps the body recover. Vitamin E strengthens blood vessels, so white tea is especially useful for women suffering from varicose veins.
4. Trace elements magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium.
5. Amino acids. Glutamic acid, together with phosphorus compounds, has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system, nourishes nerve fibers and contribute to their recovery.

Few drinks can compare with white tea in terms of its effects on a person:

1. Slows down the aging process and promotes rejuvenation of the body.
2. Increases immunity, helps to cope with colds faster. During periods of their epidemics, it is recommended to drink white tea.
3. Raises the overall tone of the body, relieves fatigue and improves mood.
4. Prevents the formation of tartar and caries. A real salvation for those with a sweet tooth and people who consume lactic acid.
5. Promotes the rapid elimination of toxins. Helps with various types poisoning: alcohol, food and nicotine. Therefore, during feasts and holidays, such a drink will be most welcome.
6. Normalizes and accelerates metabolic processes, destroys fat cells, which contributes to weight loss. It is used during the diet.
7. Suitable for the prevention of cancer.
8. It perfectly copes with the removal of free radicals, various toxins and slags from the body, destroys cholesterol plaques.
9. It has a positive effect on the appearance of the skin of the face and body, making it supple and smooth. This property of tea is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics.

Advice! Tea leaves that are properly dried should break if rubbed. Over-dried tea leaves turn into dust, and under-dried ones - into rolled lumps.

To get the maximum positive effect from tea, Polzateevo magazine recommends brewing it in a certain way. Tea leaves are prepared in glass, ceramic or porcelain dishes. Under no circumstances should tea be poured with boiling water. The optimum temperature for this should be around 60 to 85°C. Proportion: 3-5 g per 150 ml of hot water. Insist tea leaves for 4-5 minutes. The same brew can be brewed several times.

Important! Never add milk to this tea. This will reduce the effect of antioxidants.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that white tea is a completely natural product with a high content of nutrients, it should be consumed with extreme caution (no more than one cup a day):

• during pregnancy and lactation;
• with stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• kidney disease (especially if there are stones) or liver;
• pancreatitis;
• cholecystitis;
• increased acidity of the stomach;
• hypertension;
• sleep disorders;
• during the period of exacerbation of diseases of the genitourinary system.

It is important to note that such restrictions are more or less typical for any kind of tea. In general, there are no serious contraindications, especially for healthy people. In extremely rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur. Well, and, of course, such a drink is not recommended to drink at night, as it has a stimulating effect. This drink should be introduced into the children's diet only after a year and a half (at first, a little, and from seven years, you can take one or two cups).

Welding should be weak. Older people can consume it in large quantities, unlike black and green tea, it has much less caffeine. good choice white tea will be for those who are on a diet. It helps to speed up the metabolism and also burns internal fat. Best consumed 30 minutes before meals.

Otherwise, white tea is an easy way to beauty and health. It has a pleasant, light, subtle aroma, and a delicate taste.

White tea is not cheap. For its production, buds and young leaves of tea bushes of only certain varieties are needed. They grow only in China in very small quantities. Previously, only members of the imperial family and high-ranking persons could drink this drink as a sign of great favor from the ruler. For a long time, white tea was not available to ordinary people at all.

The value of the drink is that the raw materials for it cannot be grown in the territories of other countries. Now there are white tea plantations only in the Fujian province of China in the mountains at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. Attempts to grow tea in the mountainous areas of other countries each time ended in failure: the collected raw materials were inferior to the original by several orders of magnitude. Despite this, in some parts of India and Sri Lanka bushes of such varieties still continue to be grown, but Chinese tea still remains out of competition.

Harvesting white tea is painstaking work, since only the top leaves and buds need to be plucked. The use of any technique is prohibited, the collection is done only by hand. Employees are forbidden to eat strong-smelling foods and smoke, so that the tea leaves do not absorb foreign aromas.

The composition of white tea has many useful substances:

• B vitamins;
• ascorbic acid;
• amino acids;
• tannins;
• essential oils;
• a large number of micro and macro elements.

The calorie content is very low - 100 g of the product contains only 3-4 kcal. The amount of caffeine is minimal, for this reason it does not have an exciting effect on the nervous system.

The taste is refreshing and light, with well-marked floral notes, it does not leave a heavy aftertaste.

Health benefits of white tea

You can talk about the benefits of the drink for a long time. Many people know how useful green tea, but white is far superior to it in many ways. During the production of tea, heat treatment is not allowed, so all valuable substances are not lost, but are preserved in full force. Freshly harvested raw materials are only kept for a minute for a couple and then dried naturally in the sun. The leaves do not crumple, and do not twist, this avoids the bitter taste in the finished drink. Other subtleties of production are kept secret and not disclosed.

The list of useful properties of the drink is quite extensive.

It has a positive effect on the whole body:

• helps in the fight against excess weight;
• prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
• improves complexion;
• relieves fatigue;
• calms the nervous system, neutralizes the harmful effects of stress;
• strengthens the immune system;
• enhances blood clotting;
• beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels;
• removes toxins and toxins;
• neutralizes the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• strengthens the walls of blood vessels, preventing varicose veins;
• inhibits the development of cancer cells.

It is not for nothing that the Chinese call this drink the elixir of youth and immortality - its regular use helps to maintain good spirits and body health even in advanced years.

The drink is very good in the heat, it perfectly refreshes and quenches thirst. It is advisable to drink it between meals, without jamming anything. Cakes, buns and sweets are best left as an addition to other drinks. White tea does not tolerate any additions.

What is useful for women

The drink will be especially useful for women who want to lose extra pounds. It activates metabolic processes, which entails rapid burning internal fat. It helps to lose weight without much effort, without changing the diet and just drinking a few cups a day. But if, in addition to this, you still follow a diet, the effect will be noticeable immediately. Not only will they leave body fat, and health will also be strengthened, and the body will rejuvenate.

White tea extracts are often used as an active ingredient in cosmetics. The antioxidants present in their composition effectively fight free radicals that contribute to aging and metabolic disorders.

For men

For men, it gives strength and energy during physical and mental stress. A cup of tea at the end of the working day is able to remove the accumulated fatigue, and a person feels cheerful again.

What are the types of drinks

Tea is called white, because only young leaves and buds with a thick white fluff are used for its preparation.

The most common varieties:

• Bai Hao Yin Zhen. In translation, this name sounds like "white silver needles." Tea is made only from the kidneys. Dry tea leaves resemble small silver arrows. The finished drink has the color of light caramel. The taste is delicate, with a slight acidity.
• Bai Mu Dan. The name can be translated as "white peony". The composition contains both buds and young leaves. Dried raw materials resemble peony flowers in miniature. After brewing, it acquires a golden hue. Vanilla and caramel notes can be recognized on the palate.
• May show. The leaves for tea are harvested later and subjected to a longer processing, so they have a dark color. The drink is dark amber, with a characteristic herbal taste.
• Gong Mei. This is a cheap version of white tea. It is made from damaged leaves and buds left over from the production of premium varieties. Tea is sold in crushed form, but still it also has an elegant taste and delicate aroma.

Even the Chinese themselves drink Bai Hao Yin Zhen tea very rarely, only on holidays and special celebrations, since the prices for it are exorbitant. White Peony tea is slightly cheaper, so more people can afford to buy it. The high price is fully justified: the manual selection of each leaf and bud, careful storage and complex transportation require considerable investment.

White Oolong tea is considered semi-fermented. It has nothing to do with real varieties of white tea, as it is intermediate between black and green. It is often referred to as milky, as it has a pleasant caramel flavor with milky undertones.

White tea: instructions for use

To fully enjoy the taste of the drink, you need to know how to brew tea correctly. An important role is played even by the dishes in which the drink is made. Perfect option- Porcelain teapot and cups. But you can also use glassware.

How to brew white tea

In no case should water be boiled, it only needs to be brought to a temperature of 80 degrees, otherwise it will turn into a dead liquid that does not bring any benefit. Tea can be brewed 3-4 times, it does not lose its taste properties, but only reveals them from different sides.

For 150 ml of water, take 3-4 grams of dry tea leaves.

First, warm the dishes by rinsing with boiling water. This will make it possible to “wake up” the poured tea leaves. Then the tea leaves are poured hot water and pour it out immediately. Zero tea leaves are not intended for drinking, but for rinsing tea leaves. This helps to reveal their taste and aroma to the fullest. After that, pour into the container hot water and insist. It is not necessary to brew tea for longer than 2-3 minutes, in some cases 60 seconds is enough. A properly brewed drink is clear and has a yellowish, greenish or beige color. You should not add sugar, in extreme cases, tea can be sweetened with honey.

Tea can also be brewed in a cold way: for this, in the evening, pour leaves with water at room temperature and leave until morning. This method allows you to save a maximum of useful substances in the drink. The benefits of brewed tea persist for a long time - 18-20 hours.

Use in various diseases

The Chinese consider white tea an effective prophylactic against SARS, colds and flu. In the cold season, it is advisable to drink it regularly, or at least during the spread of colds and viral diseases.

The drink well removes intoxication of the body and removes toxic substances, therefore it is recommended to use it for poisoning of various kinds instead of water.

Drinking white tea:

• at risk of oncological diseases;
• with the use of large amounts of sugar and the threat of caries;
• with excess weight;
• with constant stress and chronic fatigue.

It is useful to drink tea during festive feasts. It will help the body cope with the abundance of food and digest it faster.

You should not drink more than 2-3 cups of white tea per day. This amount is enough to make a person feel healthier and stronger.

How to store

Do not store tea for a long time. It is better to use it immediately, while it still retains its freshness and intense aroma.

If you still need to store it for a long time, transfer it to a hermetically sealed bag, placing it in a dry, dark place without strong foreign odors.

To whom the drink is contraindicated, and what is the harm from it

One of the most important advantages of white tea is that it has practically no contraindications. Almost everyone can drink it, except for people with individual intolerance to the product.

Persons with kidney disease, gastritis, stomach ulcers, insomnia and diabetes should drink tea carefully, watching their well-being. Such people should not drink more than 0.5-1 cup per day. From tea, pressure can rise, so it is better for hypertensive patients not to use it.

You can buy tea in specialized tea shops that work directly with manufacturers. It is difficult to find a quality product in ordinary departments, since white tea is considered an exclusive product.

For true admirers of tea, its white varieties, which are rightfully considered elite, are especially valuable. After all, this tea has a lot of healing properties. No wonder the Chinese call it "the drink of immortality." What is white tea, the benefits and harms of which have long been known in its homeland - China, you will learn from this article. To begin with, let's figure out how this type of tea differs from others.

In China, this drink was considered imperial, only rich people could afford it. After all, it differs from other varieties of tea not only in taste, smell, properties and color, but also in the features of its collection and manufacture. In addition, the product requires special storage and transportation conditions. All these factors ultimately determine its cost, which has long been rather big.

White tea is grown in only one province of China - Fujian. And its collection takes place only two days a year (one day - in April, and another - in September). At the same time, it is collected manually at a certain time - in the morning, strictly between 5 and 9 o'clock. True, today the product is also grown in India, Vietnam, as well as Sri Lanka and some African countries, but white tea made in China is considered the most refined and therefore the most valuable.

Why does tea have such a name? It is produced by harvesting tea buds, as well as the youngest leaves of the tea bush, which have white coating, which determines the name of the product. More precisely, these are not even leaves, but arrows emanating from a tea bud. They are called types.

The most valuable is tea made from one or two young, not yet blossoming upper leaves of the tea bush. To make 1 kilogram of elite white tea, you need to collect more than a hundred thousand tips. That is why the product has such a high price.

People involved in the collection of the product should have sterile clean hands, and their breath should be fresh: without impurities of spices and spices, because these factors can affect the taste and aroma of tea. Also, during the preparation of white tea, they are forbidden to use perfumes and cosmetics.

Unlike black and green tea, this type of tea undergoes minimal heat treatment, as a result of which the maximum amount of useful substances is retained in the product. To do this, first, the tea leaves are steamed for a minute, and then sent for drying. Less valuable white teas may be slightly fermented. All this is done by hand. In the finished tea, there should be no damaged or darkened leaves, their color should remain greenish-gray, and their bottom should be light, grayish-white.

The most popular varieties of white tea in China today are considered to be white peony varieties, which, when dry, resemble small unblown flowers, as well as silver needle tea, which is recognized by doctors around the world as a natural antidepressant. The preparation and storage of such a product is special, so it is not available to everyone: the cost of 1 kilogram of such tea is about 1000 US dollars.

Less expensive varieties of white tea also have useful properties. As a rule, they are made from raw materials rejected during the production of elite tea and go on sale already crushed. However, this tea also has an exquisite taste and aroma.

White tea, benefits and harms

The benefits and harms of white tea are defined by its rich biochemical composition, which includes antioxidants, phenolic compounds (tannin and catechin), caffeine, various vitamins, minerals and other health-promoting substances.

The main healing properties of white tea:

• due to the content of natural antioxidants, the product contributes to the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, which positively affects the state of the cardiovascular system, and also prevents the development of cancer;
• the catechins included in it relieve cholesterol, which minimizes the risk of a disease such as thrombosis;
• the presence of fluorides contributes to the preservation of tooth enamel, prevents the appearance of tartar and protects teeth from destruction;
• the combination of glutamic acid and phosphorus compounds has a positive effect on the condition nervous system, soothes and relieves chronic fatigue;
• the presence of caffeine gives the drink invigorating properties that persist throughout the day;
• antibacterial and immuno-strengthening properties, which is especially valuable during a surge in colds;
• due to the presence of vitamin P, the drink promotes rapid blood clotting, as well as the healing of various wounds;
• white tea is great for quenching thirst;
• the epigallocatechins included in the product perfectly cope with the normalization of metabolism, which contributes to rapid and effective weight loss.

Can white tea be harmful? Taking this drink in moderation, you can not be afraid of negative consequences from its intake. But its use in large quantities, like any other product, can harm the body. First of all, this applies to women who are expecting a baby, as well as nursing mothers. Theophylline contained in white tea, as well as caffeine, can overexcite the nervous system of the fetus or baby, which can adversely affect the formation of their nervous system, as well as the work of the heart.

White tea is contraindicated in the following cases:

• the presence of peptic ulcer, as well as increased acidity of the stomach;
• acute stage of diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system, as well as the presence of kidney stones;
• increased level of pressure;
• increased excitability of the nervous system and insomnia.

How to brew white tea?

In order to get the maximum benefit and minimum harm to your health when taking a drink, you need to know how to properly prepare white tea. In this case, all factors that will help preserve all its healing properties should be taken into account. First of all, this is the temperature and quality of the water used for brewing, the storage conditions of the product, as well as the material of the dishes in which the drink will be brewed.

Basic rules for brewing white tea:

1. Water is brought to a boil and allowed to cool to 60-70 degrees. In no case do not brew tea with boiling water, which will not only destroy all of it beneficial features, but also worsen its taste and aroma. It is best to use soft water, as hard water will not change the taste of tea for the better.
2. Before the brewing process, a glass or ceramic teapot is rinsed with boiling water and, based on each cup, two pinches of dry tea leaves are placed there. Do not use metal utensils for brewing, this will distort the taste of the drink.
3. The tea leaves are poured with water, leaving a place in the kettle.
4. Infuse the drink for 3-5 minutes and pour into cups.

You can brew white tea three times. It is believed that it is during its second brewing that its exquisite taste and subtle aroma are revealed to the maximum. The time of infusion of the drink when re-brewing it should be a couple of minutes.

The taste of white tea is self-sufficient, so it is drunk in its pure form, without adding sweeteners, milk and other additives to it. To fully enjoy the taste of the drink, you should not drink it with pastries or other sweets.

White tea, the benefits and harms of which have long been studied by experts, will not only amaze you with its interesting taste and aroma, but if taken correctly, it will give you cheerfulness and good health for the whole day!

One of the varieties of Chinese tea is white. There are six types in total:

• yellow;
• black;
• red;
• oolong.

Your name this species bought tea because of the white pile- "Bai Hao", covering the tea leaves. Thanks to him, he gets silver color. White stands out for its sophisticated fresh floral scent, unique delicate honey-melon flavor and transparent infusion. In China, this type of tea occupied one of the first places among expensive varieties and it was called the "elixir of immortality". For ordinary people, it was practically inaccessible.

Species and varieties

With proper brewing and use it has health benefits.

Egyptian white tea.

• Some types of white tea are brought from Egypt, where its extract is produced and the method of brewing has been known since ancient times.
• Egyptian white tea rich in antioxidants, so it resists cancerous tumors, aging of the body and caries.

The Egyptians appreciate white tea not only for its exquisite aroma and refined taste, but also for some clarity in the mind and for saving the body from overheating in the heat.

Chinese white tea.

Its varieties depend on the conditions under which the tea leaf was harvested. They have very poetic names:

• "White-Haired Silver Needles";
• "White Peony";
• "Eyebrows of an old man";
• "Present".

Chinese white tea and collection process- real science non-compliance with the rules of which affects the quality of the product.

White tea “Silver needles”- one of the unique known varieties of tea. For its production, only the very first top sheet is plucked from the bush. After brewing, it is characterized by a sweetish mild taste, the broth is distinguished by a pale yellow color.

To obtain the variety "White Peony" the second leaf of the kidney is used, following the leaf from the top. Its manufacture is a rather laborious and delicate process. Here, not only adherence to all technologies is taken into account, but the spiritual mood of a person who is directly involved in the production of white tea is also very important.

This variety is endowed with an incomparable aroma of a mixture of fruits and flowers, its infusion has a golden hue. The production of the "White Peony" is kept a big secret. and is passed down from generation to generation.

Tea "Gift" is collected from the second and third leaves, but the processing is not the same as other white teas.

Along with the "Gift" is the variety "Eyebrows of the Elder". It belongs to the white teas of the second grade, because the leaves collected for it are less tender and larger.

Composition of white tea

The chemical composition of white tea looks like that:

TO extractive substances relate:

• Protein substances and amino acids;
• Carbohydrates;
• Tannins;
• alkaloids;
• acids;
• Enzymes (enzymes);
• Pigments;

White tea is also rich in vitamins:

• : thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), (B15).
• Vitamin C The percentage of its content in the tea leaf is several times higher than in.
• Provitamin A (carotene)- antioxidant and powerful antioxidant.
• Vitamin PP ().
• Helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Its content in white tea has a record amount - 85 units.

When purchasing white tea in factory packaging, you should be aware that no matter what is indicated on it, it is not high-end. Teas of this rank do not tolerate transportation and packaging process. He does not even survive the winter, he should be drunk until autumn. Therefore, we purchase low-grade white tea.

Choosing the right tea

• The tea room should be saturated with clean and fresh air.
• Production time should not exceed 11-12 months.
• Tea leaves, dried with high quality, crumble when rubbed between fingers. If they turn into dust, then the tea is overdried, and if lumps form, it is underdried.
• The package must be marked with international marking, which helps to determine the composition of the tea:

1. O (orange)- tea contains leaves surrounding the flower bud, as well as whole young ones from the top.
2. OP (Orange Pekoe)- composition of unopened buds and the first 5-7 leaves.
3. T (Tippy)- a rarity, since in this case the tea is 100% flower buds(tips).
4. P (pekoe)- 50% of its contents are young tea leaves, and the remaining 50% are tips.

Price and where to buy

High quality white tea can be purchased at specialized stores. In such stores, tea can be examined and compared with the aromas of different varieties. Tea picking takes place in early spring, Therefore, the purchase should be made in May-June. Last year's will not give such a variety of taste and aroma. White tea loses its aroma very quickly, therefore it is recommended not to purchase it very much.

Of course, for many this is not a cheap pleasure, since its price is measured in hundreds of dollars, but true pleasure must be expensive. The price of white tea varies depending on the place of purchase: from $100-$300

When brewing tea, you should adhere to the exact temperature and holding time, approximate data can be seen in the figure below:

The benefits of white tea and its properties

Among the health benefits of white tea, that have a positive effect on human health, the following can be noted:

• Slows down the development of bacteria, destroys microorganisms, suppresses viruses.
• Stops bacterial mutations, removes free radicals, stops and inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
• Brings blood pressure back to normal, improves the functioning of the heart and the functioning of the arteries.
• Reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood.
• Strengthens immunity.

Contraindications

The doctors determined that white tea can be safely consumed in the absence of clinical contraindications. For example, with peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach, during exacerbation of gastritis with high acidity. It is also not recommended to get carried away with a strong infusion of white tea when high temperature, kidney disease, hypertension during an exacerbation, tachycardia.

Application features

One of positive properties white tea- a beneficial effect on smooth muscles, which means that it is able to regulate the tone of the uterus. Scientists in Japan have found that with the regular use of white or green tea before pregnancy, the resources of the mother's body are significantly strengthened, which leads to the appearance of healthier and larger children.

This is easily explained by the rich composition of white tea, because it is in it that the entire spectrum of vitamins and microelements is concentrated. For example, fluorine, phosphorus and others, they are actively used to form the child's musculoskeletal system. Most women during pregnancy have unpleasant disease - varicose veins. This disease is easy can be avoided by drinking white tea regularly.

But still, there is one warning - do not drink very strong tea and no more than three cups a day.

White tea can also be used in the fight against excess weight. It should be included in any diet, as its composition is rich in caffeine. In addition, it is saturated with catechins, substances that cause the process of thermogenesis, that is contributes to the rapid and high-quality disposal of the resulting fat cells. catechin also stops the process of the appearance of new fat cells and adipose tissue.

White tea is also a means of preventing cancer. This conclusion was made by scientists from the universities of California and New Mexico. It is able to prevent such types as prostate, stomach, and colon cancer.

How to brew and store

The procedure for brewing tea is not inherently complicated, but minor deviations from its main stages can kill all the beneficial properties of tea and its incomparable aroma.

• The basis for proper white tea brewing- water. It must be soft, clean, preferably settled and filtered through special filters.
• The second element of delicious tea- water temperature. It should be low, the use of boiling water is strictly prohibited, because it kills all the essential oils and the smell of tea.
• Third component - brewing period. It should be as short as possible, no more than 5 minutes.

The combination of these three factors will give white tea that taste and aroma., for which he is considered elite.

The brewing process itself should look like this:

1. To boil water.
2. Warm up the kettle a bit.
3. Pour in the tea.
4. Add not steep boiling water, while stirring.
5. Insist 5 minutes.

The tea is ready to drink.

It is necessary to store white tea in a dry room, in ceramic dishes that close well. Its presence next to strongly smelling products is contraindicated, because it absorbs all odors very quickly.

In more detail about white tea, experts tell in the following video:

Tea is a delicious and fragrant drink that is loved by so many people. It is a cup of tea that is offered to dear guests, tea drinking is a great excuse to meet friends, this drink helps to warm up on a winter evening, relax after a busy day at work.

There are quite a few varieties of tea: black, green, blue, red, white. These types of tea differ not only in taste and color, but also in the way the tea leaves are processed. White tea belongs to the elite and expensive types of drink - because of the raw materials used and the method of collection and processing.

Description of the drink

White tea is produced from certain varieties of tea bushes. Most famous variety- Da Bai Hao, which translates as "big white fluff." Also, an elite drink is made from varieties of light Shui Xiang and dark Shui Xiang. The habitat of elite tea bushes is the mountain slopes of Fujian Province. Plants are grown at an altitude of 1000-2100 meters.

Tea bushes growing in mountainous areas open their leaves very early - in early March or late February. Closed buds and young leaves of shrubs that are just beginning to bloom are covered with a whitish coating that protects plants from low temperatures. It is believed that the more this plaque on the plant, the better and healthier the drink will be.

The collection of raw materials begins in the middle of the first spring month. The buds and young leaves are harvested by hand, the time is from 5 to 9 in the morning. When harvesting, the weather should be sunny, without precipitation.

There are strict rules that pickers must abide by: no eating hot spices, drinking alcohol before starting work, using perfume or smoking. These precautions are necessary so that no foreign smell spoils the taste and aroma of the future elite tea. If it starts to rain during the harvest and rises strong wind- it is believed that real white tea will not come out of soaked raw materials.

pickers pluck only the upper leaves from the shoot, this is done very carefully and carefully so as not to wrinkle the raw materials. After harvesting, the raw material undergoes solar-shadow fermentation. The leaves are alternately dried in the shade and in the sunlight. This is followed by light heat treatment in special ovens with a strictly maintained temperature and packaging of raw materials in containers. But drinking freshly dried white tea is not recommended, it is advisable to start taste the drink only a month after the final fermentation.

The first mention of elite white tea dates back to the 12th century. At that time it was the favorite drink of the Chinese emperors. It was valued for its taste, aroma, tonic effect on the human body and was considered effective tool against many diseases.

What are the varieties

There are 4 main varieties of white tea.

The rarest and most expensive has a name Bai Hao Yin Zhen, which translates as "Silver Needles". The raw material for this drink is unopened tea buds from the upper shoots of bushes. The kidneys are covered with white down. Raw materials undergo minimal fermentation, which allows you to save a maximum of useful substances. Dried tea looks characteristic - the buds look like small silver needles. Needles must be even if the kidneys are twisted or twisted - the technology was not followed in the manufacture and the quality of tea is considered low.

Another famous variety of white tea, characterized by great taste and unusual color — Bai Mu Dan(White peony). When harvesting raw materials for this type of tea, an upper kidney and a pair of lower leaves are used. In the production of the drink, secret traditional technologies are observed, which are passed down from generation to generation. Tea White Peony has an unusual fruity and floral scent , but no flavorings or additional impurities are used in the manufacture.

Another variety - Show Mei, translated as "eyebrows of an old man" - grows in the provinces of Fujian and Guangxi. Raw materials - upper buds and leaves, are harvested much later than other varieties of white tea. This affects the taste and color of the drink - tea is stronger, tart and dark.

White tea Gong Mei is the most affordable and less expensive than other varieties. When collecting and processing raw materials, less sparing technologies are used and most of the young leaves and buds from the bushes are used.

What ingredients are in this tea?

Due to the fact that gentle technologies are used in the production of tea with minimal impact on raw materials, the drink retains a very large amount of useful substances. The composition of white tea is quite impressive:

Useful properties of white tea

The drink has long been considered the elixir of health and longevity. Its beneficial properties are legendary. It is believed that 2 cups of white tea a day reduces the risk of cancer by 30%. The substance epigallocatechin gallate, which is found in large quantities in tea leaves, provides protection.

The white coating that remains in the tea even after fermentation is made up of a mixture of essential oils. These substances help fight inflammation in the body. Also, white tea perfectly quenches thirst in the hot season.

The drink is able to evoke positive emotions in a person, enter into a state of relaxation and peace.

Due to its unique composition, tea helps to cleanse the human body of toxins and toxins, remove heavy metals. Helps you recover faster in case of poisoning, intoxication, dehydration of the body.

The drink has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. A variety of essential oils improve blood flow to the alveoli of the lungs and bronchi, destroy pathogens in oral cavity having a bactericidal effect.

The use of tea in beauty treatments

Tea helps to lose weight. This drink property was opened in 2009. After studying the effect of tea on metabolic processes in the body, it was found that the drink inhibits the growth of fat cells. Also, tea has a diuretic effect and regulates water balance.

White tea brew face masks are very useful. The skin receives a maximum of useful substances, is moisturized, acquires a healthy color. It is very good to freeze ice cubes based on white tea. Rubbing the skin with ice tones it, nourishes and moisturizes, which is very important in the hot season.

Wraps with white tea help get rid of cellulite, improve the appearance and tone the skin of the body.

Benefits during pregnancy

The drink is useful for pregnant women. It's all about its healing composition and a complex of rare and useful substances. Tea reduces fatigue, improves mood, and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs.

Fluorine and calcium, which are contained in the drink, protect teeth from caries and strengthen bone tissue.

Antibacterial effect helps protect the body from various infectious diseases prevents the development of inflammatory processes.

Harmful properties

Oddly enough, but this drink is absolutely safe and very useful. Scientists have not found any contraindications or harmful effects when taking this drink.

How to brew white tea

There are two ways to brew this drink: hot and cold.

1. cold way brewing is used when you need to prepare the most thirst-quenching drink. To do this, pour 10 grams of dry leaves with slightly warm boiled water (300 grams) and leave the tea to infuse overnight. In the morning, the healing drink is ready, you need to drink it in small sips.
2. hot way brewing. Water should not be boiling. The optimum temperature is 60-70 degrees. The proportions of the drink are 5 grams of dry tea per 150 grams of water. The teapot should be glass or porcelain. Brewing is infused for at least 15 minutes. Drunk tea leaves can be poured with hot water again, the benefits and taste of tea will not change.

White tea is a healing drink that protects against many diseases. The only drawback of this elixir of health is the rather high price.