White Tea is an infusion made from the Camellia sinensis plant, particularly its unopened flower buds. Considered the rarest tea variation of them all, White tea comes from China and is quite expensive.

Because it undergoes minimal processing, and is unfermented, it is said to contain the most amount of health-promoting components of all teas. While other teas have that signature “grassy” taste and texture, white tea tastes sweet and is “lighter” on the tongue. White tea also contains the least amount of caffeine among tea variations, making it perfect for people with anxiety disorders.

Photograph of white tea by ~Mers.

There are different variations of white tea, depending on what parts of the tea plant is used to make them. Silver Needle, the rarest of all types, is made purely out of unopened flower buds, while White Peony is made from a combination of unopened buds and young leaves.

White Tea Antioxidants

White tea contains a large amount of polyphenols of the catechin category. These catechins slow down tumor formations and reduce carcinogens in the body, which helps prevent certain cancers and slows down the progression of the disease for people who already have cancer. It also helps reduce the severity of heart diseases by reducing the risks for heart failure, stroke and slowing down the growth of atherosclerosis plaques.

White tea is said to have larger concentrations of cancer-fighting antioxidants compared to green tea. Drinking white tea is said to prevent mutations caused by free radicals, which is responsible for the development of cancerous tumors.

Does White Tea Contain Caffeine?

Although containing less caffeine than both Green and Black tea, white tea still contains caffeine. This is present at a concentration of about 15mg per cup (this compare with a caffeine amount of around 20mg for green and 40mg for black).

Potential Health Benefits of White Tea

This type of tea also slows down the growth of bacteria and viruses as well as boost a person's immune system, so drinking white tea can help relieve streptococcus and staphylococcus infections. It can also help fight pneumonia, dental plaque, and fungus growth.