White tea is a tea variation made from young leaves and buds that have been steamed to inactivate polyphenol oxidation and dried. As compared to other teas, it contains the highest concentration of catechins that can be found in fresh tea leaves. Depending on picking and selecting standards, white teas can be classified in many grades. The tea production also depends greatly on weather conditions, such as temperature and humidity of the environment dictating timing and techniques of withering and bake drying process. Thus, white tea leaves withered in conditions that are cold become blackish, while those withered in hot conditions become reddish.
Produced mostly in Japan, China and India's Darjeeling region, white teas enjoy great success in all parts of the world. Some of the most popular white teas include Silver Needle, Snow Bud, Song Yang, White Assam, White Darjeeling and White Peony. Ranked with the most revered of all Chinese teas, Silver Needle is produced in the Zhenhe and Fuding districts of Fujian province.
It is gathered only in several days of early spring to ensure a premium quality product. Such dedication to perfection is evident in each cup of Silver Needle that is delicate and sweet with an airy fragrance. A special grade version of this exclusive tea is Sublime Needle, available currently both in leaf tea and white tea bags.
Grown in China's Fujian province, Snow Bud, as its name implies, is light and airy tea with clean, delicate aroma. Composed exclusively of unprocessed buds and leaves, this tea is the lightest and gentlest one of all white tea variations.
A wonderful white tea from China's Zhejiang region, Song Yang was produced first during the Tang Dynasty. Today it is still harvested and made by hand, which contributes essentially to its fantastic flavor and fine character, yet limits its availability. Song Yang isn't available in white tea bags, but as leaf tea only. A popular variation, Song Yang Serenade infuses a cup of the finest tea with a sweet refreshing taste, a tender aroma and light color.
While tea plantations of Japan and China are believed to produce the largest amount of white teas, some of the finest are grown in the Assam region of India, notably White Assam. Resembling in appearance to the widely reputed White Darjeeling Tea of India, White Assam is composed of tender buds that are gathered in the second flush of early summer. Available in white tea bags and loose leaf tea, this outstanding white tea from Assam is a delicacy for every occasion.
Enjoyed wide popularity are also flavored white teas, regarded as a wonderfully subtle and smooth treat that can be consumed cold and hot. These are generally available in white tea bags and include the following taste varieties: White Tropics, White Tangerine, White Pear, White Peach and White Blueberry.
Known also as Miniature Kaleidoscopic Origami, tea bag folding was created by Tiny van der Plaas in Holland. The woman though of some decorative birthday card, and by folding a tea bag envelope, she invented tea bag folding. Since then it has been used to create medallions and decorated such items as picture frames, photo albums, scrapbooks and greeting cards.