White teas

White Tea is one of the truly rare teas of the world.

Although some production occurs all over the world the best comes almost exclusively from Fujian Provence in China. Fujian is a mountainous region with as much as 90% of the land well above sea level. It enjoys high rainfall, persistent mist and 80% humidity, creating a perfect environment for tea cultivation.

The birth of a true White Tea

A true White Tea begins with the very special conditions required for plucking.

Nearly all fine teas have preferred weather conditions and times for plucking, but with White Teas the correct conditions for plucking are particularly vital.

The perfect example is the production of Silver Needles: no other tea has such a small plucking window. On only three days in the spring, when tea bushes show a delicate downy unopened bud and the weather is absolutely perfect does plucking and processing commence. If the Tea Master does not get this right the tea will be ruined and that year's harvest compromised.

The least processed of all teas

Once plucked, white tea buds are spread in the sun for just a few minutes to release a small amount of moisture. Then they are flash-steamed to arrest the fermentation that would start an Oolong or Black Tea process. Finally they are slowly dried.

There is no rolling or any farther production used for White Teas. This may seem simple, but in fact requires a high degree of specialised judgement and experience: so many regions do not produce them at all.

Unique health benefits

Such a light production process ensures all the healthy anti-oxidants are left intact, and the resulting tea is also the lowest in caffeine of any tea variety. See our Organic Bai Hai Silver Needles from Fudan County, the home of China's finest White Tea production.