After the massive earthquake in Japan,

the Chinese Embassy in Japan received a “special package,”

and the embassy staff expressed their deep gratitude, referring to this as a “timely aid in a time of need” from the people back home,

and sent a letter expressing their thanks…

What was so special about this “package” that moved them so much?

— White Tea.

White tea is different from regular teas, as it not only shares their general benefits but also has many unique properties. For example, it can help combat radiation, oxidation, and tumors.

This is because White Tea is a minimally processed tea that does not undergo the typical processes of killing the enzymes or rolling, but instead is simply sun-dried or gently heated, which results in a higher content of polyphenols compared to other teas.

Polyphenols are “free-radical scavengers” that can prevent damage caused by excessive free radicals produced during radiation exposure; they can also regulate related enzymes, reduce damage to immune cells, and improve blood-making functions. The amount of polyphenols directly determines the strength of one's ability to fight radiation and oxidation.

Therefore, white tea's ability to combat radiation, oxidation, and tumors far surpasses that of other teas.

White tea also has two additional benefits that are particularly relevant for us today.

The first is its ability to lower high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. In an era where these conditions are no longer considered illnesses of the wealthy but have become common issues for modern people,

white tea contains essential active enzymes that, when consumed regularly, can significantly increase the activity of enzymes that promote fat metabolism. This not only helps effectively lower lipid levels but also controls insulin secretion, delays the absorption of glucose in the gut, breaks down excess sugar in the bloodstream, and promotes balanced blood sugar levels, achieving the effects of lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Another significant benefit of white tea is its ability to alleviate the effects of alcohol and protect the liver.

For centuries, people have known that tea can help with hangovers. After drinking to a slight intoxication, a cup of cool tea brings immediate refreshment and ease the following morning.

The reason tea can help lower high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol and also help with hangovers and protect the liver is due to the presence of dihydromyricetin and other flavonoids. These natural compounds can accelerate the breakdown of ethanol (alcohol) into harmless substances, reducing the duration of alcohol in the body and decreasing the burden on the liver to metabolize alcohol, thereby minimizing damage to liver cells.

White tea contains the highest levels of these natural flavonoids compared to other types of tea. While the hangover-relieving effects of other teas may still be theoretical, white tea is almost like an effective hangover remedy.

When we talk about warm affection, not everyone can brew the loving flavor found in white tea. Only those who understand the art of brewing white tea and have an elegant appreciation for life can truly prepare and savor its sweetness and warmth.

Aged white tea is a type of aged tea that is highly durable and best suited for cooking during the autumn and winter seasons.

The first and second infusions of aged white tea can be brewed using the usual method, pouring the tea into a fair cup. However, the true flavor emerges with the third infusion, which requires transferring the tea leaves to a handle pot for cooking to produce the best tea broth.

Compared to ancient times, brewing tea is much more convenient for us today.

First, transfer the infused tea leaves into a handle pot (a glass pot is ideal), then pour boiling water over them, turn on the power switch, and wait for the water to boil before serving the tea.

The tea broth is apricot yellow or orange-yellow, reminiscent of the color of the autumn sun. Its taste is fresh and natural, leaving your mouth feeling cleansed like after a wash with clear dew, yet also like sunlight dancing on your tongue. It fills your mouth with warmth and the taste of nature, making you feel very comfortable.

At this point, some friends might ask: What exactly is white tea?

White tea is a specialty of Fujian province, mainly consisting of Bai Mudan, Baihao Yinzhen, and Gongmei.

White tea is called such because of its “Silver-white” appearance — tea makers pick tender leaves with a lot of white down on the backside, do not kill the enzymes or roll them, but simply sun-dry or gently heat them, preserving the white down on the exterior of the leaves, giving the tea its white color. The main producing areas include Zhenghe, Fuding, Songxi, and Jianyang.

Winter has arrived, and whether for the elegance of life or for caring for the health of oneself and loved ones, simmering a pot of aged white tea and sharing it with loved ones to keep warm and enjoy the joy of the autumn harvest is a wonderful way to spend time together.