After the water, Tea is the most consumed drink in the worldaccording to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). A day, they drink about 6 billion cups of some of the varieties of this drink.

Although tea consumption is not as common in Spain as in other countries, four in ten people say they are regular tea drinkers.

Among the different types of tea, white is perhaps one of the least knownalthough it has many healthy properties, as you will see below.

What is white tea?

He white tea is made from the young buds and leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), which are covered with white fluff, hence the name white tea.

While to make green tea or black tea the leaves are allowed to oxidize, in the making of white tea the leaves are not allowed to fermentwhich gives it a smoother and lighter flavor. Furthermore, in this case leaves are not rolled or shredded.

The taste of white tea is often described as herbaceous, soft, subtle, delicate and sweetwith notes of peach. The color of the infusion is pale yellow.

White tea varieties

There are various white tea varietiesamong them:

• silver needle (Silver Needle or Yin Zhen Bai Hao), from the Chinese province of Fujian and made only with young unopened shoots, is one of the most appreciated.
• white peony (Bai Mu Dan), made from shoots and leaves, has a somewhat stronger flavor than Silver Needle, and is perhaps the most popular and easy to find variety.
• Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei), grown in Guangxi and Fujian provinces from the leaves and some shoots, has a slightly more intense flavor than the previous ones.
• Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei), also made in Guangxi and Fujian but with more mature (lower quality) leaves, resulting in a stronger flavor compared to the other types of white tea.

White tea: properties and what it is for

White tea has less caffeine than green or black teaso it is less stimulating.

Is rich in polyphenolsamong them catechins, which give it great antioxidant power that can help in prevention of some chronic diseases such as diabetes or some types of cancer. According to a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research white tea extract could induce the death of lung cancer cells. In any case, it should never be taken on your own if that is the purpose and, in any case, for this purpose or other medical problems you should first consult with the referring doctor.

Additionally, the antioxidants in white tea can help reduce blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol (LDL)and thus reduce the risk of heart disease.

White tea is attributed anti-inflammatory propertieswhich can help fight bacteria, prevent gum inflammation and improve the immune system function.

Some of its compounds are also believed to help protect teeth from the formation of caries and strengthen dental health.

On the other hand, various studies indicate that white tea can help improve lipid metabolism and fight obesity.

How to prepare and drink white tea

The quickest and easiest way to drink white tea is infuse two teaspoons in about 250 ml of hot water (but not boiling, the ideal is about 75 °C) and after a few minutes strain it. It is always Better to use loose leaves than tea bags.

You must keep in mind that the Antioxidant properties of white tea increase with infusion time. To obtain its maximum benefits, it is recommended to let it rest for at least 2 hours in warm water.

To enjoy its delicate flavor, it is best to drink it plain, without sweeteners, spices or milk.