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White tea became popular in the West because of high antioxidant levels and the facts it is the least processed tea of all types. Many new tea drinkers expected the flavor to be delicate and light, refreshing and not too overwhelming. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Some got very surprised with moldy hay flavors of the first white tea they have tried. Are all white teas the same? What is the best white tea out there?

Processing the leaves

To understand the flavor of white tea, we need to understand the processing methods as well. Types of leaves that are used to produce tea will greatly impact the final flavor. Flavor will depend on the harvesting season and the type of drying as well. Some white teas will be dried only on the sun, some will be oven baked. Best tasting white tea will always be delicate and light, but unfortunately, not all of them are. The impression that white tea will have more delicate flavor than green or oolong tea is quite wrong. It all depends on the producer - which techniques he is using, how much knowledge he has, and is the tea intended for mass consumption or for special buyers seeking the highest quality.

Main Types of White Tea

Silver Needle

The most popular white teas are Silver Needle and Bai Mu Dan. They originate from China, but silver needle is very popular among many tea producers in different countries – from Sri Lanka and India to Kenya and Rwanda. The name refers to the type of leaves picked to produce this tea – young tips covered with tiny hairs. Indian silver needles have a different profile from Chinese silver needles, and will usually have a bit spicier notes and heavier flavor.

(Source: Tea Chronicles ©)

Bai Mu Dan

Bai Mu Dan is the tea you should never buy in your local supermarket. While real Bai Mu Dan from specialty tea store is a great way to get addicted, the one from supermarket will put you off trying more white teas ever. Hay, mold and heavy undertones are what you will usually get. Bai Mu Dan contains both leaves and buds.

There are many other types of white tea like Gong Mei, Shou Mei, Yue Guang Bai, and most will always have a stronger flavor than silver needle.

What is the Best White Tea?

There isn't a general answer to what is the best tasting white tea. Quality should always be considered before answering that question. In general, white teas are rarely bitter and quite refreshing, so they are great for blending with dried fruits and spices. They can be steeped with higher temperatures for a longer time which allows other ingredients to develop the full flavor and create a well-rounded infusion. They will never have grassy undertones like green teas. For many tea drinkers the best tasting white tea is the pure high quality silver needle, which actually has quite a little flavor for the untrained taste buds. Taste is light with lots of tiny hairs floating on the surface and will offers a lot more infusions than green tea. Others might prefer masterfully created blends of white tea leaves and other ingredients. No matter which type you chose, if you want the best taste, you should always pay attention to quality.

We have a few organic pure and flavored loose leaf white teas in our online tea shop.