Advertorial From Precious and Nothing but Tea. February 29, 2008

The Facts About White Tea

While Chinese tea drinkers have been wise to the benefits of white tea since the Ming Dynasty, until recently it was virtually unknown outside of Asia. Not anymore. Today, everyone from chefs to medical researchers is praising white tea's delicate flavour and purported health benefits. So what are the facts about white tea?

White tea is made from the same bush as green and black tea but is picked as tender young leaves shortly before the buds have fully opened. Making White tea is an extremely natural process, buds are hand-plucked, gently heated often using sunlight and dried naturally before being inspected by hand to avoid crusing thus allowing the bud to be preserved in its purest form.

It can take up to three days to make a batch of good quality white tea where as green tea can be ready in just 3 hours.

A powerful antioxidant

It’s believed that high level of polyphenols found in white tea may help to fight and kill cancer-causing cells. In fact, there
is more than twice the ‘antioxidant power’ in a cup of tea than there is in one apple.

Lower Cholesterol

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them.
Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow.

A natural antiseptic

A 2004 study at Pace University concluded that the polyphenols found in white tea can help your body’s immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria.

Good for dental hygiene

The same study concluded that Fluoride-rich white tea helps strengthen teeth and prevent the growth of dental plaque, the chief cause of tooth decay. As a natual source of the mineral, our bodies fi nd it easier to absorb flouride from tea than from many other sources.

Help the mind 'multitask'

Tea can boost attention, accuracy and alertness and has been shown to help the mind ‘multitask’. Caffeine is a stimulant, which averts a feeling of fatigue. The polyphenols contained in tea slow the absorption of caffeine making tea much more refreshing and revitalising than coffee, as it stays in the body longer. Tea also contains the unique amino acid theanine that promotes alpha brainwaves and improves concentration and reduces stress. African white teas are the richest source of naturally occuring theanine.

Lower blood pressure

Studies show that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

Malawian white tea available from Nothing but Tea, www.nbtea.co.uk.
Order online or call 0845 601 8329 to order.