Green Tea

Green Tea - White Tea

All true tea comes from the evergreen bush leaves called of Camellia sinensis. Green Tea and white tea are both made from this plant as is black tea and oolong tea. So why is Green Tea green and white tea white?

Green Tea is made from the Camellia sinensis. The leaves are picked and allowed to wither and die, but unlike black tea, it is not allowed to oxidize. Green tea is either quickly panned dried or oven dried to prevent fermentation. The finest of all the green teas are hand rolled and fired in a wok a little at a time. This dehydration process allows the green tea to retain many more health benefits than black tea. It is also why green tea has less caffeine than back tea. Green tea should be used within 1 year of purchase because it will lose its flavor. Don't worry about variety with green tea there a literally hundreds of green tea types from China alone!

Do you know how to brew the perfect cup of green tea? It is always best to start with good quality ingredients and that includes the water. It is better to use spring water than tap water. After bringing water to a boil, let the water cool down for about 1 minute. Using 1 teaspoon of loose green tea per 8 oz. of water (or a green tea tea bag) gently pour the hot water over the green tea leaves. Let the green tea steep 3-5 minutes. The longer the green tea is brewed the more polyphenol content of tea yet on the other hand, the shorter the steeping time of the green tea the higher will be the caffeine content with a low polyphenol content.

White tea is one of the rarest of all tea types of tea. White tea comes from the same evergreen plant of Camellia sinensis as does black tea, green tea and oolong tea. The white tea is made from tea leaves that are picked early in the year. There are tiny white hairs that are visible on the leaves at this time and the bud is still closed. Only the top leaf and the bud are picked to make white tea. The white tea leaves are then laid out to dry in the sun. If they need to be more dried, they will be baked in a warm - not hot- oven. Because white tea is the least processed of the teas, it also contains the least amount of caffeine.

The perfect cup of white tea can be brewed! Again, good tea is dependent on good ingredients. Start with good quality white tea and fresh water. Bring the water to a boil but allow to cool 1-2 minutes. Boiling hot water will hinder the health benefits of this wonderful tea. Use 1 teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz. of water and gently pour the hot water over the white tea leaves. Depending on the quality of the tea, it should be steeped for under 30 - 90 seconds. That is it! Silver needle quality white tea should not be steeped for more than 30-40 seconds for the first steeping. The great thing about white tea is that it can be re-brewed, but allow it to steep a minute longer each time reusing the same white tea leaves as often as your taste allows.

Both green tea and white tea can be purchased loose or in packets. There is more than one type of white tea and green tea. You can find a wide variety of these teas at two of my favorite place. Each site sells loose tea or packet type tea. What I like best is that they explain what each type of tea is. For example: "Made with white tea from China and a hint of green tea, our White Orchard white tea is a harmonious blend of mouthwatering fruits of melon and peach and pure Chinese tea.", by Mighty Leaf or "Green tea from China with the curative benefits of ginseng root. A happy marriage of great taste and proven health benefits. Just the right touch of ginseng to liven up the cup. Makes a light and refreshing drink that's popular both hot and iced. If you are interested in the health properties of green tea and ginseng, this tea luckily combines both.", from Adagio Tea. My favorite places to get good quality green teas or white teas are Adagio and Mighty Leaf Tea. Of course, both web sites sell more than one type of tea! Both white tea and green tea have many health benefits as well. Discover How To Make Your Own Green Tea! Discover how to make you own Green Tea and loose weight!

Look for my other articles about tea:

Green Tea vs White Tea

Oolong Tea and Pu-erh Tea Rooibos Tea, Herbal Tea and Tisanes

The Health Benefits of Tea

What Is Black Tea

Discover How To Make Your Own Green Tea! Discover how to make you own Green Tea and loose weight!