Remineralizing, cardioprotective, antioxidant: white tea is a concentrate of health. The benefits and properties of this tea for connoisseurs have been well known since ancient times. Let’s find out together.
White tea is also called “Emperor’s Tea“, it is a fine tea from the province of Fujian, in the south-east of China.
The tea plant from which white tea is obtained is always Camellia Sinensis, of which only the buds and apical green leaves are harvested, strictly by hand.
The ritual of the white tea harvest takes place twice a year, at the beginning of April and September, in favorable climatic conditions: there must be no forces of nature that can “disturb” this moment, such as rain, wind or cold. excessive.
The processing of this tea is extremely minimal:
a short passage of steam to protect against oxidation and then continue with a delicate and slow drying. The buds and leaves will not be subjected to any other fermentation
or roasting treatment.
These precautions guarantee the tea a delicate aroma, with floral notes: it is a tea for connoisseurs, who know how to grasp the nuances of taste, while for most it can be tasteless.
The preparation is infused for 2 or 3 minutes in water at a temperature not exceeding 80 ° C. The color of the drink is clear, a pale yellow.
The varieties of white tea
Four varieties of white tea are recognized, based on the parts harvested and their purity.
> Pai Hao Yin Zhen : the rarest and most precious formulation, made up exclusively of tender young shoots
covered with a fine down.
> Pai Mu Tan : the best known formulation, consisting of both buds and young apical leaves, has a slightly more intense flavor.
> Shou Mei : the formulation consists of less young leaves, which are not considered for the production of the previous higher quality teas.
> Gong Mei: it is a formulation obtained from selected plants and a slightly different processing that gives a more decisive and fruity flavor.
Properties of white tea
The properties of white tea are truly innumerable and if included in your diet it can be a drink to be considered an elixir of life!
> Antioxidant : it carries out a protective action against the attack of free radicals, thanks to the presence of catechins, which counteract cellular aging . Its polyphenols make this tea a drink with recognized anticancer preventive actions.
> Remineralizing : white tea helps to preserve bone density, counteracting osteoporosis, and joint elasticity, to prevent arthrosis.
> Cardioprotective : white tea brings benefits to the cardiovascular system, prevents hypertension , atherosclerosis, with consequent increases in cholesterol values.
> Hypoglycemic : white tea has active properties on the liver and is able to promote the metabolism of sugars, with a hypoglycemic action.
> Invigorating : White Tea, like many teas, contains theine (or caffeine), which on the one hand brings energy to the body, with invigorating effects on concentration and brain activity, without exciting effects on the cardiovascular system.
On the other hand, however , it is good not to abuse it since the contraindications relating to this natural alkaloids are borne by the central nervous system, which remains stressed for longer than the influence of caffeine.
In fact, the latter due to the type of coffee processing is absorbed
faster by our body and can create an excitatory effect but with a rapid consumption, while the theine is slowed down by the polyphenols contained in the tea and the absorption is slower but lasting.
Benefits of white tea
Drinking white tea can be an excellent habit to bring numerous benefits to the body.
> Controls cholesterol : helps keep cholesterol levels stable, thanks to the presence of catechins, which help reduce bad cholesterol.
> Stabilizes blood pressure : in case of high blood pressure, White tea helps to balance blood pressure, both thanks to the presence of flavonoids that elasticize blood vessels, and to
the diuretic effect that tea has.
> Control blood sugar : white tea helps to control blood sugar levels, useful in case of diabetes, prevents blood sugar fluctuations.
> Antibacterial action : its components of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins make White Tea an effective supporter of the immune system and has an antiseptic action, counteracting viruses and bacteria.
The presence of fluoride in this tea also promotes proper oral hygiene, against plaque and bad breath.
> Prevents osteoporosis : rich in antioxidants, white tea stimulates bone density, useful for women who have entered menopause to prevent forms of osteoporosis.
> Prevents aging : white tea is an anti-aging tea, its high antioxidant component makes it one of the most effective drinks to counter cell oxidation, to the benefit of the skin and organic functionality.
> Helps to lose weight : from metabolism studies it seems that the catechins and methylxanthines contained in white tea can inhibit adipogenesis, stimulating the metabolism and fat-burning action. It is recommended to include white tea in a low-calorie diet to promote remise-en-forme.