White tea has caught the imagination of several western tea drinkers due to its one of a kind and delicate flavour and organic image.
The organic image is derived from it being one particular of the least processed teas, there becoming only two very simple actions in its production – ‘withering’ and ‘dehydrating’. The processes applied in production of Green, Oolong, Black tea are usually extensions or additions of this main approach to contain ‘rubbing’, ‘shaping’ or ‘baking’. The virtually ‘unprocessed’ nature minimises the breakdown of the enzymes and oxidization.
By cause of its easier and popular production process, some historians believe that White Tea was one particular of the incredibly original Chinese teas, its use dating back at least two thousand years. The straightforward procedure of its production has been honed into an art type more than time practiced by skilled and skilled exponents.
White tea’s production is just about exclusive to the FuJian province of Southern China, its natural environment getting specifically suited for the plants’ cultivation. Production is focused in places such as FuDing and ZhengHe, characterized by a hilly terrain, mild temperature and abundant frequent rain. FuDing, for instance, has a year typical temperature of 18oC and rain fall 1660mm. The soil in these regions is predominately a red or yellow colour.
All teas (excluding herbals) are produced from the same plant referred to as “Camellia sinensis”. There are a handful of premium species that are cultivated specially for creating premium white tea, for instance, FuDing Da Hao (Big Fur), ZhengHe and FuAn Big White. Premium tea leaves have fuller/stronger bodies compared to their closest sibling green tea. The leaf strategies are normally covered by rich silvery white fur, which types the ‘silver’ look of the final product such as Silver Needle.
The FuJian province of Southern China is a conventional tea country, famous for Oolong and some Green Teas – in addition to its White Tea Production. In spite of the Chinese tendency to preserve trade secrets, over two thousand years of tea production and export to other lands has resulted in leakage of capabilities and expertise expected for processing many Chinese teas. For instance the processing information for green and black teas has at some point been exported to foreign nations. The specialist skills related with White Tea production have so far remained in the Fujian area.
Imitation goods are sold on the industry. The plants employed in these imitated merchandise are color-lightened (whitened). The manufacture is also diverse. Fresh Meat Qing – traditionally employed in green tea production is added instead of the ‘withering’ step – the distinctive procedure in producing authentic premium White Tea.
White Tea is not as broadly consumed in China as other types due to the hugely localized production. This rarity has contributed to its worth. Premium silver needle is especially treasured and related with present giving. Outdoors of China, and amongst Chinese expatriates, White Tea reputation is developing.