Everyone has their idea of the perfect cup of tea, but many of us are waking up to new blends and types of tea that offer delicious new flavours and plenty of health benefits. For example, green tea has been well known in the US for some time, but white tea is now becoming a popular alternative. Which one might suit you best?
What are green and white teas made from?
Green and white teas are both made from the same plant – the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis. This plant produces two commercial varieties, which can be processed gently into high-quality white and green tea. The difference in the end product depends on how the leaves and buds are dried after picking, before being processed and blended.
How a tea manufacturer makes tea
To make green tea, the plant’s leaves are rolled before drying and then pan-fried or steamed. White tea, which is derived from green tea, is made from the youngest and most delicate leaves and new buds. This type of tea isn’t fermented and the leaves and buds are sometimes shaded from sunshine so that they produce less chlorophyll; the chemical which turns them green.
Health benefits of these teas
White tea is the least processed of all and it is packed with beneficial antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatories. However, green tea has a greater proportion of antioxidants and polyphenols, which are made more available during the fermentation process.
Plenty of research has been done into the health benefits of green tea, which is mainly down to its richness in catechins, especially a powerful antioxidant called EGCG – or epigallocatechin gallate. Less research has been devoted to white tea, but studies show that it is also a natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic, which means that it prevents the development of potentially harmful compound mutations in the body.
Some studies also suggest that white tea can help to optimise cholesterol levels and to reduce the risk of heart disease, primarily by balancing blood glucose levels. Further research suggests that both teas help to promote healthy weight loss by optimising metabolism. The list of benefits goes on!
Synergistic gains
Perhaps most interestingly of all, however, is research that suggests both green and white teas are worth enjoying together for synergistic benefits. So if you choose a tea manufacturer and retailer which has both on its product list, you could be getting the finest combination of all!
Enjoying the most from your tea
Even better, a tea manufacturer will know that blends of white tea and green tea taste delicious and can be enjoyed at any time of day. Enjoy blends mixed with other natural flavours, herbs and spices or take your tea straight and simple. Just remember to follow the instructions carefully – use boiling water, and don’t over-brew your green or white tea. Then enjoy it with a little sweetener to taste or a slice of citrus. As the caffeine count is lower than with coffee, most people can enjoy green tea and white tea at any time of day. Sit back with your hot tea and enjoy all the taste and health benefits!