My Tea Break

Rediscovering Tea around the world

Category Archives: White Tea


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Darjeeling White Tea

This week I had the privilege to try a Darjeeling White Tea –  The Arya Pearl first flush -  from the Arya Estate in Darjeeling, as part of the Canton Tea Club.

The Arya Tea Estate is located the Darjeeling district of West Bengal in India.  The Darjeeling region is widely known for its Black Tea so Darjeeling White Teas are extremely rare and difficult to find.  It is only produced in small quantities and by a few artisan Tea producers such as Arya Tea Estate. This estate sits at an average altitude of 1500 meters and covers 125 hectares, with just over 300 acres  under Tea plantation.

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This White Tea is processed in the same way as Chinese White Tea but the location and climate of Darjeeling give it a unique flavour.

The dry leaves have a mixture of white and green olive colour with a fresh aroma. The infusion is bright clear with a delicate smooth flavour and a sweet aftertaste.

Arya White Darjeeling Tea

The first time I tried this Tea I was just focused on enjoying. It is soooo special…. but the second time I sat down with the list of tasting notes provided by Canton and could definitely recognize the sweet flavour with a hint of vanilla and nutmeg.

This is an incredible Tea…

Happy Tea Break.


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Caffeine in White Tea?

I’ve been getting many questions on the caffeine level of White Tea.

White Tea has a considerably lower amount of caffeine when compared with Green Tea or Black Tea which makes it a great anytime Tea including a nice night time warm beverage.

White tea has only about 15 milligrams of caffeine per cup  (the same as Starbucks decaf coffee) while Green Tea has about 20 mg of caffeine, Oolong Tea has about 30mg of caffeine and Black Tea has an average of 40 mg of caffeine.

White Tea also also has more antioxidants than any other Tea so this is definitely a healthy and delicious option and a great Xmas present. :)

If you’re looking for a high quality White Tea you should try our  White Peony – available on http://myteabreak.com.

Happy Tea Break.


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Cold Tea / Chá Frio

The Spring is here and the weather is now warmer (ihih!) ! So, today, I am suggesting Cold Tea.

How to prepare it? It´s very simple!

- You should infuse 10g of Tea in 1 Litre of water at room temperature for one night.  Take the leaves in the morning and put your Tea in the fridge.

- Another way to prepare it is by infusing 10g of Tea on 1/2 L at the recommended temperature, let it cool down and add 1/2 L of cold water.

You can use aromatized or flower Teas, but also plain Teas. Last summer I used to drink a lot of Oolong Bao Zhong, an amazing Tea from Taiwan. I also recommend cold Rooibos, which is great for children! You can also add citrus peel, sugar, honey, mint, ginger and/or spices.

Happy Tea Break,

Mariana!

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Chegou a Primavera, o tempo está mais quente e apetece mais beber um refresco! My Tea Break aconselha que beba Chá Frio!

È muito simples de preparar: 

- Faça uma infusão de 10g de chá para 1 litro de água à temperatura ambiente. Deixe as folhas durante a noite. Na manhã seguinte retire as folhas e ponha o chá no frigorifico.

- Outra forma é fazer a infusão de 10g em 1/2 litro de água à temperatura recomendada, deixar arrefecer e acrescentar 1/2 litro de água fria.

Tanto os Chás aromatizados como os simples são óptimos para fazer Chá frio. Recomendo Oolong Bao Zhong, um fantástico chá do Taiwan e Rooibos, que também é óptimo para as crianças! Depois da infusão, pode acrescentar cascas de limão ou laranja, gengibre, menta, açúcar, mel e/ou especiarias a seu gosto.

Tenha um óptimo dia,

Mariana!


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Special T from Nestlé

Last year, Nestlé launched a new concept , Special T,  which brews Tea from capsules.

“Special.T by Nestlé offers a selection of 25 tea varieties – ranging from green, black, blue, red and white teas, to flavoured teas and organic herb teas – which are carefully sourced from selected tea farms in China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa. 
The high quality tea leaves are protected by aluminium capsules, with each dosage measured to precision. The perfect brewing time and temperature for each individual tea variety is calculated by the innovative Special.T machine system, which in turn, releases the full benefits and infusion of the tea beverage.”

“I have never tasted the Tea capsules and, to be honest, this is definitely not my cup of Tea! Although I´ve got to say it is a very creative idea!” Mariana

“I actually tried it last weekend as my uncle just bought one. I was quite suspicious about its quality but actually I enjoyed it. I tried a Rooibos capsule and it had a pleasant smooth and fresh flavour. It also comes out with a small layer of foam on top which gives it an  Espresso look and feel ” Tania

Click here for more information about Special T.

Happy Tea break!


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Tea Tasting @ Tea&Coffee Festival – part 2

At the Chinese Tea Ceremony, all Teas tasted were spring Teas, picked 4/5 weeks ago. They were all very fresh.

Edgar Thoemmes, director of specialist Chinese Tea supplier Canton Tea Co., started by introducing the Ye Sheng Wild White Tea from the Fujin mountains. The Tea was very delicate, smooth, creamy and soft in taste.  Edgar told us that this Tea comes from an abandoned farm that was once owned by the government. “The tea bushes were left to grow wild. Our producer recognised the potential in the farm, the natural tea bushes, the excellent terroir and particularly the yellowy, rocky soil – perfect for giving the tea a delicious mineral note. He bought up the estate and produced this great tea from the first, small harvest of all the tea bushes that had been left untouched, in a natural state for decades.”

white tea

This Tea was followed by a fresh Dragon Well, green Tea. The Tea was picked just before the rain and it is variety #43, which is a top grade and therefore it is quite expensive – 50g for £26.  The Tea felt smooth, fresh and I could also taste a nutty flavour.

Green Tea

The third Tea we´ve tasted was the Mi Lan Dang Cong (Honey Orchid). This is an extraordinary Oolong Tea. “Dan Cong is the champagne of oolongs: ripe with intense fruit and sweetness. This high grade example comes from a plantation on the lower slopes of Wu Dong Mountain, Chao Zhou. The leaves are thoroughly fermented and baked to produce a rich liquor with unique flowery and honeyed notes that can be enjoyed through multiple infusions.” I found this to be an amazing Tea. I highly recommend it!

Oolong Tea

Last but not the least, the fantastic Bai Lin Gong Fu Black Tea. This is Tea is fully oxidised and it is quite robust. You get a long mellow after taste. I found it sweet, with no need to add milk or sugar! “This Bai Lin Gong Fu is made from young wild white tea buds, twisted into tight elegant gold-streaked curls. The liquor is reddish-brown and tastes naturally of caramel and cream so needs absolutely nothing added. This is a wonderful example of whole leaf black tea.”

Black Tea

This was a very good experience. All Teas were of great quality. You can get them online:

. Canton Tea Co. http://www.cantonteaco.com/

Have a great week, Mariana!


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Tea Tasting @ Tea&Coffee Festival – part 1

At the Tutored Tea Tasting by East India Company I tasted:

White Silver Cloud

Silver Cloud white Tea “is from Namunukula mountain Ceylon where “the heavens touch the Earth” as it is often shrouded in mist and low cloud, tea growing on Namunukula is kept tender by the gentle mists.” I found this Tea very light and delicate.

It was a good start!

Darjeeling Tea

First flush Darjeeling Tea 2011 from the Glenburn estate is harvested after the spring rains, normally in mid-March.

I found this to be an excellent Tea. It was light, gentle, light colour and aroma. “It displays all the characteristics one expects of signature First flush Darjeeling teas.”

Earl Grey

I am not a particular fan of black Earl Grey Tea, but I can say the one I tasted was a good one!  The black Teas are from India and Sri Lanka. This Tea “is steeped in natural Bergamot and Neroli Oils. Full bodied and authentic this black Earl Grey tea is truly one enjoyed by those who look for signature natural bergamont flavours.” I recommend it for who is a black Tea fan!

For more information please check out their website:

. East India Company: http://www.theeastindiacompanyfinefood.com/

Mariana!


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Health benefits of White Tea

Tea has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia for centuries.  The legendary emperor Shennong claimed in the Divine Farmer´s Herb – Root Classic that Tea was useful for treating conditions including tumors, abscesses, bladder issues and fatigue.  Since then, there has been an increasing weight of scientific research on the possible beneficial health effects of Tea consumption and there is evidence that tea can contribute significantly to a healthy lifestyle.

Drinking White Tea

Because White Tea is made of leaves and buds that are less processed than other types of  Tea it has a higher number of antioxidants and nutrients. White Tea is simply dried in natural sunlight, which preserves more of its antioxidant properties and therefore has many health benefits to offer:

  • Cancer Prevention:  White Tea contains flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, that inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones.
  • Lower Blood Pressure: White Tea can thin the blood and improve artery function, protecting the heart and the entire circulatory system.
  • Lower Cholesterol: White Tea contains high levels of Cathecins, another group of antioxidants, which help to reduce the bad cholesterol.
  • Stronger Bones: Studies suggest that white Tea improves bone density and strength which can be beneficial for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis.
  • Antibacterial and Antiviral: White Tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses helping the entire immune system.
  • Healthy Teeth:  White Tea contains  fluoride and other nutrients which keep the teeth strong and healthy.
  • Better Skin:  Drinking white Tea promotes healthy radiant skin and has significant potential to fight against skin ageing.  A research by Kingston University illustrate that white Tea inhibits enzymes that breakdown collagen and elastase so you can now find a lot of cosmetics with White Tea extracts.
  • Diabetes: It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes.
  • Weight Loss: White Tea increases metabolism and encourages the body to burn more fat.

    • White Tea has also the added benefit of relieving stress, if consumed properly. For the Chinese, drinking Tea is often a ritual. We should try and create our own daily ritual and spend a few quiet moments enjoying a cup of Tea in a relaxed environment.


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    Welcome to the world of White Tea

    White Tea is made from the very young leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves are picked and harvested before they are fully open, when the buds are still covered by fine white hair.

    White Tea Silver Needles

    White Tea can only be picked for a short time each year, usually in early spring, making it rare and unique. The buds and leaves are then steamed and slowly dried. Unlike other Teas, white Tea is not rolled, and only slightly oxidized, making it the least processed Tea. Due to the minimal processing, white Tea contains more nutrients  and antioxidant levels and less caffeine than black or green Tea.

    There are several varities of white tea but the most famous ones are:

    Silver Needle – The crème de la crème of white Tea which consists only of  silver buds picked within a two day period in early spring. It is the most famous white Tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavour.

    White Peony – White Peony consists of one bud for every two leaves. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker colour than Silver Needle.

    I also encourage you to try and experiment mixing white Tea with different fruits and flowers such as jasmine, citrus, rosebuds,…  and I am sure you will find your own favourite.

    The perfect cup of White Tea?

    • White tea has a short shelf life, it is very important that it is stored properly to maintain the flavour and aroma for as long as possible. You should store the bag in the refrigerator to maintain freshness
    • Don´t use boiling water as this can ruin the delicate flavour.  The ideal water temperature for white Tea is between 76º to 85º
    • For White Tea you should use glass or porcelain teapots and cups
    • White tea leaves are denser than other tea types so you should use more leaves. As a reference you can use 2 teaspoons of white Tea leaves for every cup
    • Ideal time for infusion is 3 minutes

    The next post will detail the health benefits of white Tea.

    Happy Tea Time.

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