We usually drink Green Tea, Black Tea, and Scented Tea, but rarely hear about people drinking White Tea. Chinese tea is divided into six major categories: Green Tea, Black Tea, Yellow Tea, White Tea, Oolong Tea, and Dark Tea. White tea is one of them. The UK journal 'Best Nutrition' once reported that compared to green tea, white tea retains more nutritional components from the tea leaves due to its simple production process.
What is White Tea and Its Benefits
In China, the consumption and understanding of white tea are relatively less compared to other teas, while drinking white tea is very popular in the UK. So-called white tea is made from tea leaves picked in early spring. At this time, the tea leaves and buds are relatively tender, and the green leaves are covered with white hairs on the outside, hence the name 'White Tea'. The most important characteristic of white tea is its silvery-white hair color, often described as 'beautifully simple', with plump buds, a bright yellow liquor, a fresh and mellow taste, and even, tender brewed leaves. After brewing and tasting, the flavor is fresh, mellow, and pleasant, and it also has pharmacological effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine theory proves that white tea is cool in nature and has the effect of reducing heat and fire.
Types and Names of White Tea
The main varieties of white tea include Silver Needle, White Peony, Gong Mei, and Shou Mei. Especially Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen), which consists entirely of downy bud tips, straight as needles. Among the many teas, it is one of the most beautiful in appearance, very likable. The liquor is light yellow, fresh, mellow, and refreshing, leaving a lasting and pleasant aftertaste.
Various white tea names: Silver Needle White Hair; White Peony; Gong Mei; White Peony; Shou Mei, etc.
Drinking White Tea in Summer Can Prevent Heatstroke and Cool Down
White tea is simpler in production method compared to black tea and green tea. After being picked, it only undergoes slight fermentation, about 10% to 30%, without any roasting or rolling, and is directly sun-dried or baked. Due to the simple production process and minimal processing steps, white tea largely retains the nutritional components of the tea leaves. Experts point out that compared to green tea and oolong tea, white tea has a higher content of tea polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants that can help boost immunity and protect cardiovascular health. White tea also contains essential active enzymes for the human body, which can promote fat breakdown and metabolism, effectively control insulin secretion, break down excess sugar in the blood, and promote blood sugar balance.
Furthermore, people who often drink white tea in summer rarely suffer from heatstroke. Experts believe this is because white tea contains various amino acids that have heat-reducing, summer-heat-dispelling, and detoxifying effects. The sterilizing effect of white tea is also stronger than that of green tea. Dr. Milton Schiffenbauer from Pace University in New York recently pointed out that he and his researchers put white tea into toothpaste and applied it to experimental plates containing bacteria. Experiments proved that toothpaste mixed with white tea significantly enhanced its bactericidal ability. Therefore, he believes that drinking more white tea helps with oral cleanliness and health.
Because white tea can be drunk cool without a decrease in quality, and the taste becomes even sweeter and more mellow, and the biggest difference between white tea and other teas is that the iced tea tastes better than when hot. So, which five types of people are more suitable for drinking white tea? Let's find out together!
1. Obese People
In summer, obese people are more suited to drink white tea. The caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, phospholipids, etc., in white tea aid in human digestion and have a significant effect on inhibiting the increase of abdominal fat. The rich vitamin B1 in tea is a necessary substance for fully burning fat and converting it into heat energy, thus preventing fat accumulation. Therefore, obese people can drink white tea for weight loss, having a cup before and after meals. Persisting long-term will yield very good weight loss results!
2. People with High Blood Sugar
Because the tea polysaccharides in white tea have insulin-like substances that can lower human blood sugar levels; polyphenols and their oxidation products can dissolve fat, promote the discharge of lipid substances in blood vessels, and reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Therefore, people with high blood sugar can moderately drink white tea!
3. Young Women
In summer, women are afraid of getting tanned! They can drink more white tea! White tea contains a large amount of trace elements with antioxidant effects, such as zinc, manganese, copper (components of SOD), and selenium (components of GSHPX), which have skin-whitening effects. Moreover, catechins, theaflavins, theanine, tea polysaccharides, and relatively more complex flavonoids in white tea have the function of scavenging free radicals, possessing antioxidant and anti-aging cell effects. Therefore, white tea is very suitable for young women who love beauty!
4. People Who Smoke and Drink Alcohol
The caffeine in white tea stimulates the human bladder, has a diuretic effect, can sober up, and relieve alcohol toxicity. The tea polyphenols in white tea can清除 (clear/remove) free radicals from tobacco smoke during smoking, reducing the harm of smoke to the human body. At the same time, tea polyphenols have a strong adsorption effect, so drinking more white tea can alleviate the toxic effects of heavy metals!
5. People with Constipation
White tea can quickly relieve summer heat, promote digestion, remove greasiness, and cleanse the intestines. In summer, people's gastrointestinal burden is heavy, leading to constipation. Drinking white tea is very beneficial for keeping the intestines畅通 (unobstructed/smooth). Therefore, white tea is also known as the 'Scavenger within the Body'!
