White Tea, known for its silvery-white down covering the buds and leaves, is referred to as “Silver Needle,” “White Peony,” “Tribute Eyebrow,” and “Longevity Eyebrow.” It is often hailed as the “King of Teas.” With a mild nature, white Tea has a sweet and light taste and is rich in polyphenols, amino acids, and other nutrients, providing Health benefits. So, how should one brew white tea correctly?

Mistakes in Brewing White Tea

When brewing white tea, many people make common mistakes such as:

• Too Hot Water: The buds and leaves of white tea are tender, and excessively hot water can scald them, making the tea bitter.
• Oversteeping: White tea should not be steeped for too long, or it will become too strong and lose its fresh and refreshing taste.
• Excessive Washing: As an unfermented tea, white tea has natural and healthy surface substances and does not require excessive washing.

Brewing Techniques for White Tea

Brewing white tea involves “low temperature, slow infusion, and small amounts.” While the brewing methods may vary slightly between different types of white tea, the following steps generally apply:

1. Prepare the Tea Utensils:

For brewing white tea, it's recommended to use covered bowls, glass cups, or elegant Teacups, which allow you to better appreciate the color, aroma, and taste of the tea.

2. Select the Tea Leaves:

Choose the appropriate type of white tea based on personal preference. Generally, Silver Needle is brewed with water around 90°C for about 1 minute; White Peony and Longevity Eyebrow are brewed with water around 95°C for about 1-2 minutes; Tribute Eyebrow and tea buds are brewed with water around 100°C for about 2-3 minutes.

3. Warm the Cups and Rinse the Tea:

Pour boiling water into the teaware to warm the walls and preheat the utensils. Then, place the tea leaves in the utensil and add a little hot water, swirling the utensil quickly to moisten the leaves and awaken their aroma.

4. Infuse the Tea:

Slowly pour hot water along the wall of the cup to allow the leaves to unfurl. For the first infusion, fill the teaware about seven-tenths full with water and steep for approximately 10 seconds before pouring out the tea. Afterwards, gradually increase the infusion time and amount of water according to the type of tea and personal preference.

5. Enjoy the Tea:

The liquor of white tea is clear and bright, with a refined and distant aroma and a sweet and mellow taste. When sipping, first observe the color, then smell the aroma, and finally take small sips slowly to experience the unique character of white tea.

Tasting White Tea

The method of tasting white tea differs slightly from other teas. Since the liquor is rather light, consider the following points when tasting:

• Smell the Aroma First: White tea has a refined and distant aroma. Before tasting, inhale the aroma to appreciate the unique character of the tea.
• Sip Slowly: The taste of white tea is sweet and light, so it's best to sip slowly and savor the fresh and refreshing quality of the tea.
• Enjoy the Lingering Sweetness: White tea has a long-lasting aftertaste, and the sweetness remains in the mouth even after swallowing the tea.

Both brewing and tasting white tea have specific considerations. Mastering the brewing techniques of white tea will enable you to easily prepare a fragrant and delicious pot of tea, allowing you to enjoy the gifts of nature. Brew a pot of white tea, invite a few friends, and savor the aroma together while discussing life—what joy! Hopefully, this article helps you better understand how to brew white tea.