White Tea: Origin, Types And Health Benefits

During the early Chinese dynasties, a tea tradition was created. This custom was followed till modern times. Teas of exceptional quality and rarity were presented as a yearly tribute to the period's Emperors. The best tea trees' youngest, freshest, and most delicate buds were utilised to produce this imperial homage.

Imperial tea gardens were established to cultivate these honourable and extremely uncommon teas, often in secrecy. Poets have referred to these exceptional teas as "white like the skies, green like a dream, pure like snow, and as scented as an orchid."

White is great to consume in moderation for all its health benefits and power detox properties. 

Let us learn about white tea and its types through this blog and know more about its many health benefits.

Table Of Contents

1. Various Kinds Of White Tea

2. Health Benefits Of White Tea

3. The Final Say

4. FAQs

Various Kinds Of White Tea

The plant varieties Da Bai and Da Hao, found in the 1700s in the province of Fujian in China, were the first white tea plant varieties to be cultivated commercially. 

Today, several countries are cultivating their own forms of white tea from other tea plants to compete with China. The following are some of the most well-liked types of white tea:

1. Bai Hao Yin Zhen (Silver Needle) 

A true Silver Needle originates from the Fujian region of China. It is developed from the original varieties of the white tea plant native to China. Large buds that are covered in downy white hair are used to make this type of tea, giving it the silvery appearance that gives it its name.

2. Bai Mudan (White Peony)

This more recent kind of white tea is known as Bai Mudan (White Peony), and it is grown in China and other nations worldwide. A Chinese white tea bush of the traditional or other variety could be used to cultivate it. It mostly consists of buds combined with immature tea leaves that have yet to unfurl or expand.

3. Monkey-Picked White Tea

The term "monkey-picked" refers to a very premium-quality Chinese tea made from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant. It is said that in the past, Buddhist monks trained monkeys to harvest tea from the highest wild tea tree tops in mountainous regions of China. Today, the term is used to describe a tea made from the buds and young leaves of the tea plant.

4. Darjeeling White Tea

Tea plants indigenous to the Darjeeling region of India are used to develop this form of white tea, as opposed to the original Chinese white tea plant variety, which is used to produce other types of white tea. Although the processing method is comparable to Fujian white teas, the resulting beverage typically has a distinctive flavour.

Health Benefits Of White Tea

1. Assist You In Losing Weight

When people think of teas that can aid in weight loss, green tea is the first tea that typically comes to mind.

However, some evidence suggests that white tea may be equally helpful in reducing fat.

The quantities of caffeine and catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a molecule found in green tea related to burning fat, are comparable in both types of tea. Therefore, the combination of these chemicals has a synergistic impact.

For instance, one study discovered that extract from white tea could increase the breakdown of fat and prevent the formation of new fat cells. This was demonstrated in a test-tube setting. This was primarily attributable to EGCG.

2. Reduce The Chance Of Developing Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in the body. It assists in transporting nutrients from the bloodstream into the cells, where they can either be used immediately or stored for later use.

However, this is only the case for some because of several contributing factors, one of which is excessive sugar consumption. Therefore, insulin resistance is the term for this condition.

Unfortunately, insulin resistance is widespread and associated with various persistent health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Polyphenols, such as those contained in white tea, have been shown in several studies to have the intriguing potential to reduce the risk of insulin resistance.

3. High Amount Of Antioxidants

Catechins are an important component of white tea, rich in polyphenols.

Polyphenols are chemicals derived from plants that perform the function of antioxidants within the body. Antioxidants shield the cells from the potentially harmful effects of molecules known as free radicals. 

Damage caused by an excessive amount of free radicals can have negative effects on the body. For example, it has been related to several degenerative disorders, ageing, chronic inflammation, and a compromised immune system. 

White tea, fortunately, appears to be one of the forms of tea that are most effective at neutralising the damaging effects of free radicals. In point of fact, research reveals that white tea has antioxidant advantages comparable to green tea, which is well-known for its power detox qualities and many other health benefits. 

4. Lowers The Chance Of Developing Heart Disease

In the United States of America, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death. 

Chronic inflammation, related to a wide range of causes, is intimately connected to this condition significantly. These include one's diet, level of physical activity, and lifestyle behaviours like smoking. 

There is some evidence that polyphenols, such as those present in white tea, can help lower the chance of developing heart disease.

5. Protects Your Teeth From Bacteria 

Fluoride, catechins, and tannins are all abundant in white tea, making it an excellent beverage choice. This chemical mix can protect teeth from bacteria and sugar, enhancing their strength.

Fluoride can aid in preventing dental cavities by strengthening the teeth' surface so that they can better withstand acid attacks from bacteria in conjunction with sugar.

White tea is an excellent source of the anti-oxidant catechins found in plants. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that they can prevent the growth of plaque bacteria.

6. Containing Compounds That Could Be Used To Fight Cancer

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of mortality after heart disease.

The results conducted in test tubes suggest that white tea may have anticancer properties.

One study found that the extract of white tea caused cell death in four different types of lung cancer cells grown in test tubes.

Two more investigations were conducted in test tubes to investigate the effects of white tea on colon cancer cells.

According to the findings of the tests, extract from white tea inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells and prevented the spread of the disease. In addition, white tea extract also contained antioxidants, which protected normal cells from being damaged by potentially dangerous chemicals.

The Final Say

White tea has been shown to benefit one's health when consumed daily in a few cups. In addition to the traditional health benefits of tea on your immune system, white tea can help prevent serious diseases like cancer and heart attacks while also maintaining healthy hair, skin, and teeth.

FAQs

1. Is applying white tea good for skin?

Applying white tea extract topically has the potential to irritate the sensitive skin. It should be used under supervision.

2. How many times may white tea be consumed?

White teas can be refilled approximately two to three times (5-10 times for the traditional gai wan approach). Because white tea is one of the teas that undergoes the least amount of processing, it can be used more than once.

3. Is it ok to consume white tea on an empty stomach?

No, white tea cannot be consumed in an empty stomach as it can cause nausea and loss of appetite.

4. What complements the flavour of white tea well?

You will not be able to appreciate the natural sweetness of this beverage if you combine it with sweets that have a bold flavour because white tea has a more delicate and smooth flavour. Grapes, strawberries, melons, fruit tarts and pies are all wonderful accompaniments to white tea since they pair so well with acidic undertones

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