Everyone has a different taste when it comes to Drinking Tea. Some prefer strong Tea, believing that a strong infusion represents the true flavor of the tea leaves, while others enjoy a lighter brew, savoring the subtleties and simplicity in their cup. However, the key to enjoying tea is finding what suits your palate best. For those who love white tea, is it always better to have a stronger flavor? The answer is no. Only a tea with a balanced taste allows you to appreciate the nuances of each infusion, and it is also beneficial for your health. Below, we explore why it's not recommended to drink strong infusions of white tea.
When drinking white tea, we highly recommend using a white porcelain gaiwan. brewing white tea in a white porcelain gaiwan allows you to experience the subtle changes in aroma with each infusion, truly appreciating the quality of the tea. High-altitude white teas, rich in natural compounds, can withstand more than ten infusions. Even by the tenth infusion, one can still enjoy a lingering, fresh fragrance, a clean sweetness, and a refreshing mouthfeel, qualities that have earned these teas much admiration and loyalty from tea enthusiasts. However, some enthusiasts prefer a bolder, stronger white tea, claiming it helps to refresh and cut through greasy foods, and that a high concentration of tea polyphenols in the infusion can be effective for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial purposes.
However, we caution tea lovers against making the initial infusions too strong. As mentioned previously, for white teas rich in natural compounds, the first four infusions should be quick, avoiding any Steeping time that might result in an overly concentrated flavor. If a tea lover who prefers strong tea chooses to steep the first infusion for an extended period, allowing all the flavors to release at once, the high levels of tea polyphenols and caffeine will make the tea excessively bitter and astringent. This not only spoils the subsequent infusions but also misses out on the beauty of the tea.
White tea offers certain Health benefits due to its simple production process, which involves only withering and drying, preserving its natural state. As a new white tea ages into an aged white tea, the content of flavonoids increases, providing excellent health benefits. Flavonoids offer various health benefits such as beautifying the skin, anti-aging effects, and reducing the risk of stomach cancer. However, when drinking aged white tea, it's important to avoid brewing it too strongly. Strong tea contains high levels of caffeine, which can disrupt sleep and cause calcium loss, particularly for older individuals. When drinking aged white tea, it's best to aim for a moderate strength, savoring the flavors that suit your palate best.
In summary, white tea isn't necessarily better when brewed too strongly. Comfort and enjoyment are key. Whether steeping or cooking the tea, it's crucial to control the amount of tea used and the steeping time.