Tea varieties
What Is White Tea?
White tea is a gently processed Camellia sinensis tea, often made from young buds and leaves that are withered and dried. It can taste subtle, but white teas are not all identical.
Simple processing still requires skill
White tea is often described as minimally processed because its production can involve fewer shaping steps than black or green tea. Careful picking, withering, and drying still matter. The UK Tea & Infusions Association describes classic white teas from Fujian, including bud-focused Silver Needle and leaf-and-bud White Peony.
Those names signal different leaf material and styles. They do not guarantee a particular flavor or quality. Origin, weather, and handling can make one white tea soft and floral and another fuller.
Give the leaf room
A large white-tea leaf may look bulky in a spoon but weigh little. Start with the maker’s measure if one is provided and use a roomy infuser. Taste at the early end of the steep before deciding it needs more time.
Try a second infusion if the first was pleasant. The delicate changes can be part of the appeal.