The least processed of all teas: the leaves wither, dry — and that is it. No roasting, no rolling, no forcing. Which is why white tea tastes the way a meadow smells in late June: of hay, honey and flowers.
What makes it different?
Green tea leaves are pan-fired right after picking; red tea leaves are rolled and oxidised. White tea is made almost without interference: picking, a long wither, gentle drying. Less processing means less room for tricks — and more truth about the leaf itself. Hence its reputation as the tea in which you hear the raw material most clearly.
What does it taste like?
Light, but not “weak”. In a good cup you will find melon, dried apricots, fresh hay, sometimes a hint of almond. No astringency, no heaviness — a tea for a quiet evening. And aged white tea, which the Chinese press into cakes like pu-erh, drifts over the years towards honey and dried fruit.
Three styles worth knowing
- Silver Needle (Yin Zhen) — silvery buds only. The subtlest: a silky liquor with a cool, sweet finish.
- White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) — a bud and two young leaves. More body, more fruit; the favourite compromise between finesse and presence.
- Shou Mei — more mature leaves, a darker and sweeter cup with notes of dried fruit. The best start if you worry that “white” means “bland”.
You will find all three in our white tea category — organic versions included.
How to brew it
Water at 85–90°C — after the kettle boils, wait three or four minutes. Be generous with the leaves: white tea is fluffy and takes up a lot of space. In a gaiwan: 4–5 g per 120 ml, steeps from 20–30 seconds. In a mug or pot: a spoon or two per 300 ml, two to three minutes. Silver Needle will forgive even a forgotten steep — buds simply have nothing to make bitterness from.
Which one to start with?
If you mostly drink strong, assertive teas — start with Shou Mei, it will feel closest to familiar ground. Looking for something festive — Silver Needle. The safest middle is White Peony. And you do not have to guess blind: we sell tea by weight from 10 grams, so you can take a little of all three and hold your own small tasting at home.