White tea: what is it and how is it useful? White tea: benefits and harms

True connoisseurs consider White tea the most beautiful type of tea. The delicate aroma and magnificent taste of this drink conquer the hearts of gourmets all over the world.

Initially, white tea was only available to the Emperor of China and his family. This drink was considered the most expensive and refined in the entire Celestial Empire. The secrets of its production were kept in deep secrecy, and special requirements were placed on tea leaf collectors. White tea was considered a drink of youth and health. Even high-ranking persons could only dream of it as a sign of favor from the emperor.

What is "white tea"?

White tea is prepared from the most tender buds and young leaves. Not all tea bushes are suitable for white tea. Leaves and buds suitable for this drink appear only on bushes that grow at high altitudes above sea level, in special weather conditions.

Collect buds and one or two (no more) young leaves only in clear weather. For elite varieties of white tea, only those leaves that are collected within two morning hours over the course of just two days in early spring and early autumn are suitable.

These ingredients are minimally processed: steamed for a minute and then naturally dried in the sun. Thanks to this, the beneficial properties of white tea are truly amazing.

By the way, white tea is called white because the collection and processing process does not damage the white fibers that cover the buds and leaves. In China these fibers are called "Bai Hao".

Real white tea is produced only in China (Fujian Province). It is also supplied from Sri Lanka, but opinions about the quality of this tea differ. This tea is certainly good and created in accordance with traditional methods, but not all white tea connoisseurs are ready to put Sri Lankan tea on the same level as Chinese tea.

Properties of white tea

Minimal processing makes white tea a truly healthy drink. It stores valuable substances, which collapse during prolonged heat treatment, to which other types of tea are exposed.

White tea contains many essential oils that are beneficial to human health, making it perfectly refreshing and quenches thirst.

This type of tea intensively fights free radicals, which contribute to the aging of tissues of the human body and disruption of metabolic processes in the body.

White tea contains a small amount of caffeine, which is why this tea has such a delicate taste and aroma.

White tea also surprisingly improves your mood. It is even recommended as a natural antidepressant.

Benefits of white tea

Thanks to your beneficial properties, white tea actively fights the aging process of the body. Its extracts are used as active component anti-aging creams and masks for face and body.

White tea improves the condition of facial skin, making it more elastic and smooth.

This tea helps strengthen the immune system and has a tonic effect on the body.

Those who want to lose weight also note the beneficial properties of white tea: this drink activates metabolic processes in the body, and this, in turn, leads to burning internal fat.

White tea intensively removes toxins and waste from the body (including after alcohol, nicotine or food poisoning).

Drinking white tea reduces the likelihood of tartar and caries.

White tea is used to prevent cancer.

Harm of white tea

White tea has virtually no contraindications. The only exception is if you have an intolerance to this product (allergy).

Otherwise, white tea is a safe, healthy and tasty drink.

When is it especially important to drink white tea?

• During the spread of viral diseases.
• During festive events accompanied by feasts with strong drinks.
• In situations chronic fatigue and under constant stress.
• It is useful for those who want to improve their appearance: reset overweight and improve skin condition.
• With risks of cancer.
• By consuming large amounts of sugar and lactic acid, which are harmful to teeth.

White tea varieties

The most expensive variety is considered “Bai Hao Yin Zhen”, which is translated from Chinese as “silver needles with white hairs”. In Russia, this variety is often called simply "silver needles".

Premium varieties of white tea include "Bai Mu Dan". It means "white peony". It is recommended to those who are not a true gourmet, but is able to appreciate truly high-quality gourmet tea.

A variety is made from leaves that are not whole "Show May"(in Russian the name sounds outlandish: “senile eyebrows”).

Tea is also considered medium quality tea. "Gong Mei"(another funny name: “gift eyebrows”).

Also, white tea varieties include "White Dragon Pearl" And "White Monkey".

Where can I buy; tea price

You can buy real white tea in specialized tea stores and tea culture clubs (which, unfortunately, are not found in every city).
Many online tea stores offer white tea.

It is worth remembering that real white tea is not packed in factory packaging, as it is very fragile. It is recommended to buy it in May-June: not much time has passed after harvesting - the tea still retains its freshness and aroma.

It is best to buy white tea abroad, in the countries where it is produced, or in states neighboring the exporters.

One of the most expensive varieties tea (not only white) is “Bai Hao Yin Zhen”. Its price can reach up to $2000 per kilogram.

Average price for 50 gr. white tea on Russian market hesitates from 90 to 414 rubles.

White is especially respected due to its low oxidation and fermentation. White tea is one of the most expensive and refined types of tea. And if you like to arrange tea ceremonies for yourself, then such a drink will bring a lot of positive emotions and add to your collection.

What types of tea are there?

In the modern pace of life, you rarely have the opportunity to take your time and treat yourself to your favorite drink. Basically, many people drink tea or other drinks on the run. At the moment there are many different types of tea, the most common and well known are green, yellow, red and even blue tea. The color depends mainly on the method of its assembly, as well as storage and processing. As mentioned above, one of the most expensive and rare types of this drink is white tea. The beneficial properties are something that is of great value to the Chinese (white tea is grown mainly in China). Therefore, they are reluctant to export it.

Difficult collection, processing and storage process

As a rule, white tea is processed at the point of collection due to the fact that it spoils quickly. The treatment takes no more than a minute with hot steam, then the leaves are laid out in the sun and dried until full readiness. This method is most common when processing white tea because it this drink loses a minimum of its beneficial properties and retains all its good qualities.

Harvesting white tea is considered a labor-intensive process. The point here is this: in order to collect a kilogram of products High Quality, it is necessary to process more than one hundred thousand small white leaves. Hence the price. Now it’s clear why white tea is so expensive. But the store now offers decent brands of the drink, and not so expensive. These are white tea “Greenfield”, “Lipton”, “Curtis” and others.

Tea is collected from the very tops of the corresponding bush. This place is called the “upper tipsa”. There are only a few leaves in this place. Another nuance is that tea fibers germinate only in early April, and tea is harvested only within two days. Collection takes place from 5 - 9 am.

White tea, the beneficial properties of which you will find in the article below, has a powerful aroma and delicate taste. This drink can easily be spoiled by foreign odors that may be present during storage, transportation and processing. Therefore, when assembling tea, workers are prohibited from using perfume, smoking, eating spicy food and so on. White tea is so capricious that it can not only absorb foreign odors, but also quickly deteriorate because of it. An interesting point is that when white tea begins to be harvested, orchards bloom in the Chinese provinces, and this is a strong aroma of flowers, and the first fibers that sprout on tea tree, instantly absorb them. This flowering process gives the drink the taste and aroma of spring flowers.

Tea storage

White tea, the beneficial properties of which disappear if stored improperly, requires a serious approach. Storing white tea is an art that allows you to preserve the taste and aroma. The jar in which the product is stored must be tightly closed and not allow rays of light or foreign odors to pass through. In addition, humidity can cause strong odors. You will certainly feel this if you store your tea in an open place or in a container that is not tightly closed. All this important rules storing a drink such as white tea. It will not cause harm if you follow them. A kilogram of white tea costs from 500 rubles to 1000 dollars.

Pay attention to the leaves!

Some sellers try to pass it off as white. It is important to be vigilant when choosing a product and buy it only in specialized stores that have product quality certificates. To distinguish white from green tea, look at the leaves. White tea leaves should be whole and even. Breaking or twisting, foreign odors are not allowed. A normal white tea leaf looks silvery on top and shimmers with a green tint, and the bottom of the leaf should have a whitish fluff. Normal white tea should smell like flowers or herbs.

Healing drink

For many, white tea is a luxury and also a way to make a good impression on people. Many people appreciate both the taste and aroma of the drink. But there are people who prefer this type of product solely because of its beneficial properties. White tea (reviews say that it is really useful) is a medicine in the literal sense. In ancient China, the drink was served only to the emperor as a healing product who was able to give strength, to win headache, chills and clear thoughts.

White tea - a replacement for vitamins?

Thanks to minimal processing of the product and careful storage If you follow all the instructions, you will be able to experience all the healing properties that white tea is famous for. The beneficial properties are manifested due to the content of antioxidants, polyphenols, and bioflavonoids, which prevent the aging process of the body and the formation of cancer cells. They are also able to strengthen the immune system and maintain antimicrobial properties. In addition, tea has an antiviral effect. The drink helps the body fight aging and the formation of harmful cells. This tea can really replace an entire pharmacy. People call it “miracle tea” because it really has healing properties and helps to heal the patient and put him on his feet. By the way, this drink normalizes metabolic processes in the body. One cup of this tea contains as many vitamins as one carrot. The benefits of white tea also affect your teeth. It contains fluorides, which are responsible for the health of human teeth. They keep teeth intact and also fight tartar and the development of caries in children and adults. If you suffer from high blood pressure, then white tea is the real key to solving the problem. This product can lower blood pressure and improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. And yet, tea removes excess cholesterol from the blood.

How to brew correctly?

We hope you understand how to properly store such a product in the house, and now let’s move on to the question of how to brew white tea. You can’t just pour boiling water over it and start drinking it in five minutes. It needs careful handling. To prepare white tea you will need filtered or spring water. Next, this water will need to be brought to a boil, but not boiled. After this, the water must be cooled to seventy degrees and poured into a ceramic teapot. Attention! You need to preheat it, it shouldn't be cold. In order to prepare one cup of the drink, you will need about two to three teaspoons of tea (it all depends on the person’s preferences). After you have prepared everything, pour the prepared water from a ceramic teapot into the tea and steep it for five minutes. After this, you can brew the same tea up to 2 more times, depending on its taste. The first time you need to brew it for exactly five minutes.

How to brew a drink for health

If you want to brew and drink tea in healing purposes, then a slightly different approach is needed. For medicinal purposes, white tea is brewed for fifteen minutes. You need to drink this infusion three times a week for three or four weeks. After the drink has steeped, it may turn golden-green or yellow. Don't be alarmed, this is a normal process. These brewing methods are not suitable for bagged tea, such as Greenfield white tea. It should be brewed based on the instructions given on the box.

The art of drinking

Tea is usually drunk slowly. It's a whole ceremony. To prepare white tea, you need to go through many stages, and this is the art of preserving all the beneficial properties. You should drink tea slowly, only when pure form. If you add cream or milk to a drink, it can quickly spoil and acquire completely different properties. In other words, this drink needs to be savored and brewed to taste. You may not like it because you may have stored it incorrectly, and it has absorbed foreign odors and deteriorated. In addition, you should not drink white tea with any food or sweets. Even chocolate or cake can spoil the experience of the drink. The tea contains minimal amounts of caffeine and tannin, which means it can be easily drunk at night.

And remember, the best white tea is the one that was collected and stored correctly!

White tea has many beneficial properties. This is what made it so popular in traditional Chinese medicine several centuries ago. To the rest of the world this type tea came not so long ago, but this did not prevent it from immediately gaining popularity among connoisseurs. Many people love not only thin light The aroma of an almost transparent infusion. For most, its beneficial effects are important.

Antioxidants are special molecules that protect the body's cells from damage by free radicals formed as a result of the breakdown of substances. Free radicals damage DNA, triggering and aggravating the aging process. Antioxidants neutralize them, providing us with a long and healthy life, reducing the risk of developing cancer, pathologies, and chronic inflammation.

Since white tea is practically not processed after picking, the amount of beneficial antioxidants in it is much higher than even in the popular green tea.

Cancer Prevention

It is believed that regular use White tea reduces the risk of developing cancer and helps fight existing tumors. Flavonoids, a special class of antioxidants, slow the growth of cancer cells and prevent the formation of new ones. There are documented cases where white tea worked as effectively as classical drugs prescribed to patients with oncology, but did not have any side effects.

Lower blood pressure

Research confirms that white tea slightly thins the blood and improves vascular function. This leads not only to a decrease in arterial blood levels, but also to maintaining its normal value. Due to its antihypertensive and angioprotective (vascular protection) effects, white tea reduces the likelihood of strokes.

Reducing cholesterol levels

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been shown to reduce total blood levels. There are several fractions of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL is “bad” cholesterol, which is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, disrupting the nutrition of tissues and organs, provoking the development of vascular accidents. Reducing even total cholesterol levels, and not just LDL, will already give good result in perspective.

If you often drink white tea, take special medications (statins) prescribed by your doctor, lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right, you can significantly improve your condition, reduce the frequency and intensity of ischemic attacks (for coronary arteries), headaches (for atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries) , pain in the legs (with atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities).

Heart protection

Increasing blood fluidity (thinning), lowering blood pressure, preventing atherosclerosis and protecting blood vessels significantly improves the condition of cardio-vascular system, providing both a direct cardioprotective effect due to the work of antioxidants with heart cells, and indirect by reducing the load.

A multi-year study found that people who drink at least two cups of white tea a day are 50% less likely to die from a sudden heart attack than those who drink strong fermented teas and coffee.

Strengthening the musculoskeletal system

It has been proven that people who regularly consume white tea have b O greater bone density. It is believed that white tea is especially beneficial for patients with osteoporosis, arthritis and arthrosis.

Antibacterial and antiviral action

A large amount of antioxidants helps the human body fight viruses and bacteria and stimulates immune system, which also helps to improve natural protection against all infectious diseases. White tea helps not only to avoid getting sick during the season colds, but can even alleviate symptoms in HIV patients.

Healthy teeth and gums

White tea contains small amounts of fluoride and other substances that not only strengthen teeth and gums, but also kill bacteria responsible for tooth decay and bad breath.

Healthy skin

Free radicals are formed in the body during prolonged exposure to the sun, stress, poor or simply unbalanced nutrition and accelerate the aging process. A large number of antioxidants in white tea effectively fight free radicals, maintaining the beauty and youth of the skin.

Minimum caffeine

This type of tea has the lowest caffeine content compared to other varieties of coffee, energy drinks. Thus, after drinking white tea you will not feel palpitations, anxiety, agitation, or an unnatural emotional upsurge, as happens, for example, after a cup of espresso. Moreover, the low level of caffeine in tea will prevent side effects such as insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and headaches.

Amino acid L-theanine

The amino acid L-theanine is known for its strong antioxidant effect, its ability to stimulate weight loss, reduce anxiety, and improve concentration. Combined with a small amount of caffeine found in white tea, this amino acid helps you relax and relieve stress.

Other useful properties

1. It is believed that white tea may slightly lower blood sugar levels and reduce symptoms. But keep in mind that diabetics should not refuse prescribed medications and switch to this drink. White tea can only be a useful addition, but not a replacement for treatment!
2. Just two cups of tea a day can reduce stress and increase vitality.
3. White tea slightly speeds up the weight loss process by increasing metabolism. If you follow a diet and physical exercise add the habit of drinking several cups of white tea, then the result will not be long in coming.

Tea secrets

1. Buy loose white tea. If you have such an opportunity, order it directly from China, for example, at the TaoBao auction. Remember what is real quality tea It is sold only by weight, and old tea, defective, is poured into single bags. An indicator of quality is the integrity of the sheet. It is the whole leaf that stores everything taste qualities and useful substances. There is no longer any use in the debris and tea dust. Remember, are there ever whole tea leaves in tea bags? That's why you need to buy loose tea, and not only white, but any other. Always evaluate the tea leaves before purchasing and do not agree to buy second-rate, broken tea, no matter how much the seller persuades you and no matter how attractive the price.
2. Drink at least 2-4 cups of tea a day. So you can get required amount anticosidants. White tea can withstand 2-3 steepings. Therefore, to save a little money, brew it at least twice in a row. It is not recommended to leave brewed and drained (that is, wet, without water in the kettle) leaves for later.
3. WITH quality tea You don’t have to eat something and add sugar to it. On the contrary, each type of tea has its own flavor nuances, which can only be discerned by concentrating on the drink.
4. You need to brew white tea at the rate of 5-7 grams of tea per mug, pouring it hot water(85-90 degrees), but not boiling water. The easiest way to achieve this water temperature is to boil a kettle, pour a mug of water and after 10-15 seconds pour the water from the mug into the teapot.
5. Try it different varieties white tea. The most popular: silver needles, Bai Mu Dan, Shu Mei, Gong Mei.

Possible harm

White tea has no proven side effects or contraindications for use, so everyone without exception can enjoy its taste.

If we talk about Chinese tea, then it’s simply impossible not to talk about white tea in more detail. In this article you will learn everything about white tea: its varieties, chemical composition how it is made, the benefits and harms of the drink for women and men, calorie content. Let's get acquainted with this amazing drink!

White tea is one of the elite varieties of a healthy and tasty drink. It is produced by harvesting tea buds and one or two of the uppermost young, tender leaves of the tea bush, which have a white “fluff” coating, which determines the name of the product. More precisely, these are not even leaves, but arrows coming from the tea bud. They are called tips.

This tea is one of the most expensive and elite varieties. In order to produce 1 kilogram of elite white tea, you need to collect more than a hundred thousand tips! It's hard to imagine, but it's true!

Features of growth and collection

All varieties of this type of tea are deservedly appreciated by all admirers of this drink, because it has every right to be called elite. White tea has many healing properties. No wonder the Chinese call it “the drink of immortality.”

To produce white tea, you need buds and young leaves of tea bushes of only certain varieties. They grow only in China in very small quantities. During the Chinese Empire, this drink could only be consumed by members of the imperial family and high-ranking persons, as a sign of great favor from the ruler. White tea was previously unavailable to ordinary people at all.

The special value of the drink lies in the fact that the raw materials for it cannot be grown in the territories of other countries. Today, white tea plantations exist only in the Fujian province of China in the mountains at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level. There were attempts to grow tea in the mountainous areas of India and Sri Lanka, but each time they ended in failure; tea growers were unable to obtain the inherent quality and taste of true Chinese white tea.

The collection of raw materials for the production of elite tea occurs 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.

Why is he white?

This variety is subject to the least processing compared to other types. When brewed, the resulting drink is almost white, with a light delicate shade.

Types and varieties of white tea - taste and aroma

The most common varieties of white tea:

• Bai Hao Yin Zhen. In Chinese, the literal translation is “white silver needles.” Tea is made only from the buds. Dry tea leaves resemble small silver needles. Ready drink has a delicate light caramel color. The taste is subtle, with a hint of sourness and a floral tint, a very pleasant aftertaste. The aroma is so exquisite that after brewing a cup of this tea, you want to enjoy it endlessly.
• Bai Mu Dan. The literal translation is “White Peony”. This variety of white tea contains both buds and young leaves. The dried raw materials resemble miniature peony flowers. After brewing it acquires a golden hue. Vanilla and caramel notes can be recognized in the taste.
• Show May. Tea leaves are harvested later and undergo longer processing, so they have dark color. The drink is dark amber, with moderate pleasant taste meadow grass. Sounds unusual? But believe me, the taste is very impressive, strong, almost reminiscent of oolong, it will allow this type of tea to become one of your favorites.
• Gong Mei. This is the cheapest option for white tea. It is made from damaged leaves and buds that remain after the production of elite premium varieties. The tea is sold in crushed form, but still it also has an elegant taste and delicate aroma. Any buyer can afford it. It retains all the beneficial properties of more expensive varieties of this type of tea.

Bai Hao Yin Zhen tea is the most expensive, even the Chinese themselves drink it very rarely, only on holidays and special occasions, since its prices are sky-high. White Peony tea is a little cheaper, so they can afford to buy it large quantity of people. The high price is fully justified: manual selection of each leaf and bud, careful storage and complex transportation require large expenses, and the entire path from picking tea to the buyer is a very labor-intensive process.

Chemical composition and calorie content of white tea

The raw materials used for the production of white tea and the method of its production make it possible to preserve all the beneficial substances that make up this plant.

The chemical composition of tea includes:

• B vitamins;
• vitamins K, C, D;
• ascorbic acid;
• amino acids;
• antioxidants;
• tannins;
• essential oils;
• a large number of micro- and macroelements;
• potassium, calcium, magnesium and a whole range of useful elements.

Very low calorie content– 100 ml of white tea contains only 3-4 kcal. Since you drink it without sweeteners or additives, you don’t have to worry about burning extra calories.

Caffeine content in white tea

You've probably wondered how much caffeine is in tea. It is found in all types, and this variety is no exception. However, its amount varies and depends on the methods used to process the leaves.

Because white tea leaves are picked at an early stage and not fermented, it prevents the formation of large amounts of caffeine, so the white tea drink contains the least amount of it. Its difference from other types of tea is that the amount of caffeine in white tea is minimal, for this reason it does not have such a stimulating effect on nervous system person. It's more reassuring.

On average, white tea contains 15 mg of caffeine per 100 ml, while green tea contains 20 mg and black tea has 40 mg, making it ideal option if you are reducing your caffeine intake.

Beneficial properties of white tea

White tea is significantly superior to other varieties in many beneficial properties. Not allowed in tea production heat treatment tea raw materials, so all valuable substances are not lost, but are retained in full strength and volume. Freshly harvested raw materials are steamed for a minute and then dried in a natural way in the sun. The leaves do not crumple or curl; they completely retain their shape, which prevents bitterness in the finished brewed drink.

White tea has a positive effect on the entire body:

• improves digestion;
• speeds up metabolism;
• as a result, it effectively helps in the fight against overweight;
• prevents the development of atherosclerosis;
• antioxidants in tea rejuvenate all cells of the body;
• improves skin condition, smoothes wrinkles, increases its elasticity;
• improves complexion;
• tones and relieves fatigue;
• calms the nervous system, neutralizes harmful effects stress;
• strengthens the immune system;
• enhances blood clotting;
• has a beneficial effect on the heart and strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• removes waste and toxins;
• neutralizes the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• prevents varicose veins and blood clots;
• prevents 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 maintain good spirits and healthy body even in old age. Maybe that’s why it is in these areas of China that residents have the highest life expectancy on Earth.

You can appreciate white tea best in hot weather; it is perfectly refreshing and quenches your thirst. It is advisable to drink it between meals, without eating anything. Cakes, buns and sweets are best left as an addition to other drinks. White tea does not tolerate any additions. A freshly brewed drink will delight you with pronounced fruity and floral tones in its taste; additives and sweets will simply ruin the entire taste and pleasure of the drink.

For men

It will give men strength and energy during physical and mental stress. A cup of tea during or at the end of the working day can relieve accumulated fatigue, and a person feels cheerful again. The brain is activated, which is important during mental stress. White tea also has a positive effect on male strength, increasing potency.

For women

It is very useful to include it in the diet of all women who care about their beauty, health and keep themselves in good shape. The high antioxidant capacity of white tea has a powerful rejuvenating effect at the cellular level.

By drinking only 2-3 cups a day, you can quickly notice the result, how the condition of the skin will improve, it will become more elastic, wrinkles will smooth out and a healthy color will return to it. Skin will look younger, cleaner and fresher as white tea's antioxidants reduce the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin, restore water balance and prevent dehydration.

Minerals and vitamins strengthen nails and hair, and accelerating metabolism helps to lose weight. excess weight.

Not only will they disappear body fat, and your health will also improve and your body will rejuvenate. White tea is the elixir of youth and health, as already mentioned.

White tea extracts are widely used in cosmetology; they are used as an active component of anti-aging cosmetics for women. The antioxidant compounds present in the composition effectively prevent aging and slow down the action of free radicals that cause aging of cells.

White tea for weight loss

Antioxidants in white tea have received a lot of interest in recent years due to their purported ability to influence cellular metabolism and weight loss. Since this variety is a rich source of EGCG, one of the most powerful and widely available antioxidant compounds (4245 mg per 100 g), it is effective in increasing metabolic activity.

The drink will be especially useful for women who want to lose extra pounds. White tea, due to its properties and composition, activates metabolic processes, which naturally affects the rapid burning of internal fat. It is very effective in helping you lose weight without special effort without changing your diet and simply drinking 2-4 cups of tea a day. But if, in addition to this, you also follow a diet, the effect will intensify and will be noticeable literally immediately.

Can pregnant women drink white tea?

This drink contains many useful substances: vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and flavonoids. White tea is safe to drink during pregnancy and may have health benefits expectant mother and baby. However, during this important period of a woman’s life, before consuming any products, you should consult your doctor. After all, brewing white tea also contains tonic substances that can cause harm.

Harm and contraindications of white tea

White tea has practically no contraindications. The only restrictions on use are the same as for black and green species tea. It is not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach, peptic ulcer and individual caffeine intolerance. If you have a high intolerance to caffeine, you should avoid drinking it at night or take it instead herbal teas. Also, this drink can be harmful in case of severe kidney disease.

How and for what diseases can you drink white tea?

If you have any diseases, it is very important to know how and in what quantities you can drink tea. After all, it can both be beneficial and negatively affect your well-being. Let's look at some recommendations.

For gastritis with increased acidity Doctors do not prohibit the use of tea, but recommend limiting the quantity and strength of the brew.

For pancreatitis. You can drink tea even if the disease has already become chronic. Moreover, any kind: black, green, oolong or pu-erh, but white tea is even recommended for pancreatitis. This variety is superior in its beneficial properties to black and green and has a positive effect on the general condition of the entire body.

At diabetes mellitus . Diabetics want to drink not only in the heat, but at any time . White tea is best in in this case, it perfectly quenches thirst, while simultaneously providing the body with useful substances. This drink strengthens large blood vessels and small capillaries, and also normalizes blood sugar levels. The low caffeine content does not cause an increase in blood pressure, which is very important for people with diabetes.

At high blood pressure. Hypertensive patients have to limit their consumption or completely abandon caffeine-containing drinks. In this case, the question arises: is it possible to drink white tea with high blood pressure? It is possible, but you should reduce the amount of brewing and shorten the brewing time, then it will have positive influence for your well-being. White tea lowers arterial pressure, if you use it systematically. It has a stabilizing and calming effect. It is even advisable to drain the first brew and use it for drinking, the infusion brewed for 2 minutes a second time.

White tea - how to brew it correctly

Now it's time to learn how to brew white tea and get maximum benefit from a healthy drink.

• When preparing white tea or any other tea, always use soft, purified water to avoid impurities that could ruin the taste of your tea. For brewing, it is correct to use a ceramic or glass teapot.
• Like green tea, white tea leaves are quite delicate, so do not boil the water. The ideal temperature for this tea ranges from 70ºC to 80ºC.
• For one serving, use one teaspoon of tea per 200 ml of water.
• The kettle should first be rinsed with boiling water to warm it up. Then you pour it into required quantity dry tea leaves and pour hot water. Close the lid and let it brew for 1-2 minutes. Tender buds and leaves have time to fully open during this time.

You can brew white tea until three times. It is during the second brewing that all the qualities and taste characteristics elite drink.

How to choose the right white tea

Of course I would like to buy quality product and you will need a few useful tips. It is better to try to buy loose white tea in late spring and throughout June. Because the collection time is at the beginning of March, immediately after processing the finished raw materials go on sale and hit the shelves of retail stores.

When considering any variety, pay attention that there are no foreign impurities, crumbs, small sticks, etc. in the tea.

Also note that white teas are never flavored, unlike black or green ones. There should be no foreign odors, especially dampness or mold. If they are, it means the storage conditions were violated.

High-quality tea will contain only beautiful young leaves and a pleasant soft aroma. It is advisable to buy 50-100 grams; with long-term storage, it gradually loses its quality, and the drink will no longer be so refined.

How to store

To preserve all the properties of elite white tea, it is recommended to use ceramic dishes with a tight lid. It must be stored in a dark place and do not allow strong-smelling products such as spices and spices to be near white tea. Dry tea leaves quickly absorb foreign odors.

If in a store they poured tea into your paper bag, the right thing to do is, when you get home, immediately pour it into a jar and close it tightly.

How much does white tea cost and where to buy it?

Today, large chain stores such as METRO or Lenta offer a wide range of tea products. You can buy white tea in bags and packs, brands Rioba, Basilur, Curtis. But this will not be that enchanting drink at all.

It’s worth noting right away that White tea has never been cheap. We have selected for you the approximate prices at which it is sold in tea stores in 2019. You can search cheaper on the Internet, but in this case there is a risk of “running into” unscrupulous sellers, in addition to paying for delivery.

Price of tea per 50 grams:

Bai Hao Yin Zhen– 600-700 rubles;

Baimudan– 850-950 rubles;

Gong Mei– 500-600 rubles;

Show Mei– 300-350 rubles.

This exquisite drink has confidently crossed the boundaries of simply pleasant and aromatic; it is recognized throughout the world as very useful product. If you brew it correctly, you can enjoy the subtle taste and smell that characterize the fragile transparent buds of tea, called white, while simultaneously getting rid of illnesses and bad moods.

White tea - what is it?

Gourmets know very well that white tea is exquisite drink, possessing original taste, aroma and healing effect. In the ancient times of the Song Dynasty (from 960 to 1279), this type of tea was discovered; later, descriptions of plant cultivation are found in ancient books of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The product was supplied only to the imperial family, but smugglers managed to supply Silver Needles tea to European connoisseurs. What explains the elitism of this product?

Grown in the northern highlands of Fujian, the tea is harvested in April, when spring awakens the green leaves. Fragile, almost transparent buds and young leaves, which are covered with silvery hair, are carefully plucked from the bushes early in the morning and subjected to slight fermentation or oxidation. Only intact raw materials retain their unique smell and exquisite appearance for which they are famous elite variety tea.

White tea - benefits and harms

At first, gourmets paid tribute to the excellent aroma and taste of the drink, then researchers decided to find out the benefits and harms of white tea. Since raw materials arrive to the consumer after minimal processing, is preserved in tender buds and leaves maximum amount useful substances. Tea has antibacterial properties, so it is especially recommended for consumption during the spread of viral diseases.

Regarding contraindications to the use of the product, there are very few of them:

• kidney disease (due to the diuretic properties of tea);
• pregnancy, breastfeeding;
• ulcer, gastritis;
• hypertension, diabetes;
• insomnia, since tea has a tonic effect.

Properties of white tea

This drink is recognized as an elixir of youth, capable of giving energy. It is worth mentioning in more detail about the properties of white tea: the Silver Needles variety is considered the most useful in comparison with others due to the fact that it contains record amounts of vitamins (groups B, C, PP), amino acids, microelements, including fluorine. At the same time, there is less caffeine in the plant than in other varieties.

The level of antioxidants in this variety is significantly higher than in the green variety. By regularly consuming the product, we protect the body from the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system and oncology. Researchers claim that the drink actively fights free radicals, preventing tissue aging and disruption of metabolic processes in the body. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of Silver Needles are noted.

It is also important that the drink gives good mood, helps fight chronic fatigue syndrome, effectively quenches thirst. This is due to the presence of essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the human body. By activating metabolic processes, tea helps fight excess weight and cleanses the body of toxic substances, which is why it is consumed in case of poisoning.

The benefits of white tea for women

Silver Needles are included in preparations for weight loss, skin care and youth preservation. If we talk about the benefits of white tea for women, then we need to remember the high level of antioxidants in the plant, which helps fight the aging of the body. By actively influencing metabolic processes, tea helps to lose excess weight, perfectly relieves irritability, and calms.

Cosmetologists have found that tea actively fights aging, so its extract is used in the manufacture of anti-aging cosmetics. The mask is applied to the face and décolleté, left on for a quarter of an hour, and washed off with warm water. The skin will become lighter, smoother, and more elastic. It’s easy to prepare an excellent face mask at home; it includes:

• sour cream – 1 tbsp. l.;
• tea leaf – 1 tsp;
• lemon juice – 1 tsp.

How to brew white tea

It is recommended to learn how to brew white tea so as not to lose those valuable substances that were carefully preserved during collection, drying and very weak fermentation. Use quality water, special porcelain or glassware. This is the recommended process for brewing tea.