When it comes to tea, there are countless varieties to choose from, each with its own unique flavor and health benefits. Among them, white tea stands out as one of the most delicate and exquisite options available. With its subtle floral notes and light, refreshing taste, white tea has gained popularity among tea enthusiasts worldwide. So much so that today, we will explore some of the best white teas that have perfected the art of producing this exquisite beverage, offering tea lovers a delightful and unparalleled experience.
As we mentioned, however, you can drink almost endless teas and blends nowadays, let alone types. From green to black and everything in between, tea is not only an enjoyable beverage but hosts a number of health benefits. When it comes to white tea specifically, the advantages of incorporating it into your routine are numerous, to say the least, and making the switch to this lesser-known tea strain may be just the thing you need. Don’t believe us? Let white tea speak for itself, as its benefits include:
- Rich in antioxidants:Â White tea boasts high levels of antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which can help protect cells from damage and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
- Boosts brain health:Â Studies suggest that white tea may improve cognitive function, memory, and focus due to its presence of L-theanine, an amino acid with calming and concentration-enhancing properties.
- Supports oral health:Â White tea’s antibacterial properties may help fight cavities and gum disease by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Aids digestion:Â White tea can stimulate the digestive system and potentially alleviate gut issues like bloating and constipation.
- Hydrates naturally:Â Drinking white tea throughout the day contributes to your daily fluid intake, keeping you hydrated and refreshed.
- Promotes relaxation:Â The L-theanine in white tea, combined with its lower caffeine content than other teas, can induce a sense of calm and relaxation, making it a perfect choice for winding down.
- Naturally sweet and subtle:Â White tea offers a delicate and slightly sweet taste, making it enjoyable for those who prefer less bitter beverages.
Convinced to give white tea a try? If so, we are glad you stuck around as we at StudyFinds have taken the time to research across multiple expert sources to bring you today’s list of the top seven best white teas you can buy now! Our picks were mentioned most across eight expert sources. Don’t agree with our ranking or feel we missed out on a good recommendation? We would love to hear from you in the comments below. Now, onto the list!
The List: 7 White Teas to Drink for a Warm, Healthy Beverage
1. Vahdam Imperial White Tea
Vahdam Imperial White Tea is a rare and exquisite tea that has gained immense popularity among tea connoisseurs worldwide. Known for its delicate flavor and luxurious aroma, this tea is handpicked from the finest tea gardens in Darjeeling, India. “Made with carefully selected tea leaves cultivated at the Himalayan foothills, this product boasts a mellow, slightly sweet flavor that will keep on lingering on your palate. On top of that, Vahdam Teas is a certified climate and plastic-neutral brand. So by purchasing the product, you’re contributing to environmental sustainability,” states My Best.
Remember those host of benefits we mentioned earlier? Cuisine At Home goes on to explain some of them in greater detail when it comes to this pick. “You’ll find the highest amount of flavonoids and antioxidants in this Himalayan white tea, especially if you compare it to black or green tea. Since it has a low-caffeine amount and can be consumed at any time of the day, it is known as the world’s healthiest tea, especially when you get them in the white loose-leaf tea form.”Â
Chinese Teas 101 goes on to describe the tea in more detail, adding that the “product contains 1.76 oz of handpicked, pure white tea leaves sourced directly from the slopes of the Himalayas. Each package is designed to provide you with approximately 25 cups of refreshing, low-caffeine tea. The tea leaves offer an exquisite look, with their delicate and exceptionally long light green appearance embellished with ornate silvery tips. The complex floral layers, marked by primrose and peonies, reveal themselves amidst the subtle undertones of stone-fruit citruses. This product is packed at the source in India, ensuring optimal freshness through vacuum sealing.”
2. Twinings Of London 100% Pure White TeaÂ
Renowned for its delicate flavor and numerous health benefits, this tea is a true gem in the world of teas. With a rich history dating back to the 18th century, Twinings Of London has mastered the art of tea making, and their white tea is a testament to their expertise. “Need a light cup of tea to refresh your mind and body? Twinings’ white tea can surely help you! This product is made up of high-quality tea leaves selected carefully from Fujian province in China to deliver a delicate, exquisite taste,” adds My Best.
When it comes to why Twinings earned the number two spot, Cuisine At Home reports some interesting facts that boosted this pick to the top. “The Twinings of London White Tea is sourced from the Fujian province of China and is significantly different from other white teas. Once the plucking process of young buds and leaves is done, they are air-dried to prevent oxidation before being packed. For Twinings, the white leaves are handpicked in the spring season so that the tea is even better and has a gentle and smooth texture with a light and natural taste,” they mention in their review.
Full Coffee Roast has nothing but rave reviews for this blend, writing, “It is affordable, it comes in tea bags, so it is convenient, and it tastes magnificent for a product that has a generic-looking packaging. A product of Fujian province as well, Twinings might be the lightest tasting one on our list as its floral and vegetal hints are subtler. This makes it the ideal cuppa for those who are looking to relax but are not familiar with white tea.”Â
3. Taylors Of Harrogate White Tea
Taylors of Harrogate White Tea is a delicate and refreshing beverage that has gained popularity in recent years. Known for its subtle flavors, light and floral aroma, this type of tea is often considered a luxurious treat for tea enthusiasts. “A British institution since 1886, few companies are as particular about their tea as Taylors of Harrogate. Their white tea is made with leaves that are sourced directly from China, and only the finest farms make the cut,” writes Yerba Mate Culture.
When it comes to the product itself and flavor, Cuisine At Home had nothing but high marks for this tea, reporting that “it gives you a light and calming infusion with floral notes, the perfect blend of refreshing and soothing. Also, this white tea comes in a delicately packed box of 20 teabags.”
Full Coffee Roast boasts about this tea’s tasting profile even further, saying, “This white tea is a great cuppa after a stressful day as it is mild smooth. The aroma is divine, and once steeped, it boasts a light but sophisticated blend of chamomile-like flavor and notes of peach.”Â
4. Prince of Peace 100% Organic White Tea
In the world of tea, there are countless varieties and flavors to choose from. One particular tea that stands out for its purity and health benefits is Prince of Peace 100% Organic White Tea. “Prince of Peace is a brand that allows the natural properties of tea to shine. The tea is made from organic white tea buds and leaves, which are unsweetened. The Zhenge style is used to process them, which means the withering stage is longer than usual. This results in a tea with a full body and a decadent aroma,” states Full Coffee Roast.
Cuisine At Home goes further into the Prince of Peace’s process, writing, “Like all other brands, the Prince Of Peace Organic White Tea Blend is made from 100% organic white tea buds and leaves picked from the tea gardens. It also has a darker color than other white tea brands, leading to a higher antioxidant content. You’ll find about 10-20 mg of caffeine in this organic tea, while there are about 100-180 mg of caffeine in a coffee cup for your reference.”
But what about flavor? Luckily Health Through Fare describes its tasting notes wonderfully, adding, “The Prince of Peace Premium White Tea is referred to as Peony White Tea as well, which means that it is considered one of the premium white teas. Furthermore, this tea is handpicked in the Fujian province of China, so it’s harvested using the most natural and ethical means. What makes the flavor of this tea so unique are the bold notes of chestnut, vanilla, and honey, as well as the bamboo fragrance!”Â
5. The Republic of Tea Emperor’s 100% White Tea
The Republic of Tea Emperor’s 100% White Tea is a unique and exquisite tea that offers a truly exceptional experience for tea enthusiasts. Made from the young leaves and buds of the camellia sinensis plant, this tea is handpicked and carefully crafted to preserve its delicate nature. Find This Best adds that the blend “is a rare and special tea that is low in caffeine and free of gluten, sugar, and carbs. It has a light, airy fragrance and pure flavor that is best enjoyed in a quiet setting. Customers have praised its mild flavor and aromatic qualities, noting that it is a great addition to any tea collection.”
Some of the teas on our best-of list are loose leaf; however, with Republic Of Tea, you don’t need to worry about that. According to Robb Report, “If you’re looking to start drinking white tea and prefer your tea in bags, then The Republic of Tea has you covered. The tea, which is made from leaves picked only two days out of the year, has a soft but distinctly sweet taste and is rich in antioxidants. There are few better places to start your journey as a white tea drinker.”
When it comes to tasting notes, Chinese Teas 101 has you covered. “This blend exemplifies the typical characteristics of white tea – subtlety and complexity, and it possesses a mellow, sweet taste. The tea exudes a light, airy fragrance that complements its pure flavor. It has a delicate, clear appearance in the cup. This product is packaged in a tin, providing 50 tea bags. With a low caffeine content, this white tea can provide a mild energy uplift without the intense buzz often associated with stronger teas or coffee,” they add.
6. Uncle Lee’s Organic White TeaÂ
With its rich history and commitment to quality, Uncle Lee’s has truly made a name for itself in the world of tea. “Uncle Lee’s Organic White Tea is a 100% natural premium white tea with a light and delicate flavor. It is grown using natural fertilizer while preserving the ecosystem and harvested and processed when the leaves are young,” writes Find This Best.
Full Coffee Roast goes on to warn skeptics not to “let Uncle Lee’s Y2K website design fool you. Their online aesthetic may need improvement, but make no mistake, Uncle Lee’s range of teas has been praised as one of the most authentic in terms of flavor and rejuvenating properties. They were also one of the first brands to introduce green tea to the North American market!”
When it comes down to the details of this tea, Chinese Teas 101 adds that “Uncle Lee’s Organic White Tea Bags are a selection of 100% natural, premium tea bags catering to hot and iced tea enthusiasts. Each box contains 100 tea bags, providing ample servings for the daily tea drinker. The tea is USDA Organic and vegan, making it a conscientious choice for those who value organic produce and plant-based products.”Â
7. Tealyra Bai Hao Yin Zhen Silver Needle
Tealyra Bai Hao Yin Zhen Silver Needle is a highly regarded white tea that originates from the Fujian province in China. Known for its delicate flavor and exceptional quality, this tea has gained popularity among tea enthusiasts worldwide. “Made from 100% early spring tea buds, this tea is renowned for its wide range of health benefits and is rich in antioxidants. It has a naturally sweet taste, balanced by a slightly smoky, woodsy fragrance. Customers have praised its light but complex palate and its ability to make multiple cups of tea with one infusion,” reports Find This Best.
When it comes to the process behind this tea, Chinese Teas 101 delves deeper, writing, “This tea is made from 100% early spring tea buds. These buds are harvested on select days when optimal conditions ensure only the highest quality product is delivered. The result is a premium tea with a rich profile of antioxidants known to counter the effects of harmful free radicals.”
When it comes to the taste of this silver needle, Full Coffee Roast concludes that “looking at the dried buds alone can be mesmerizing, but the flavor is exhilarating once brewed. It has a mellow vegetal flavor complemented by subtle floral notes, so it is not overpowering. It has delicate, sweet, smokey, and butter-like undertones that bring balance to the overall drink. A disadvantage is that it is quite pricey, but the quality of the tea makes up for it. Also, be wary of letting it steep for too long, as it tends to go bitter.”
You might be interested in:
Sources:
- Cuisine At Home
- My Best
- Chinese Teas 101
- Full Coffee Roast
- Yerba Mate Culture
- Health Through Fare
- Find This Best
- Robb Report
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.