White tea is called the elixir of youth and immortality, the imperial drink.
Among the six main Chinese tea varieties, white tea occupies a special, honorable position, is considered the most refined.
In this article, we will tell you what white tea is, what it looks like, what its properties are and what variety names exist.
O fermentation
Buy-cha (the second name of white tea) is weakly fermented.
The active enzymes involved in the oxidation process are not killed, but are completely preserved in shoots.
Thus, the leaves are oxidized more strongly than green varieties, which affects the color of the finished infusion, taste and aroma characteristics.
The fermentation rate of 5-10% is achieved due to the fact that before drying in the open air, the surface of the leaves does not deform. That is, the juice is not released from them.
Geography
A real, quality product from Fujian.
It has been grown here since about the 6th century AD. Bushes grow in the highlands, in the settlement of Fudin, at an altitude of 1000-2200 m above sea level.
Only Fudin tea bushes are recognized as true white by Chinese standards. All other products that are found in the market & ndash; fake.
The most comfortable conditions for the birth of young buds and shoots are created here: sufficient cloudiness, nebula, proximity of forests and the sea coast. Fluffy buds covered with light lint (hence the name of the variety) appear in early spring.
According to legend, the bush from which white tea was first obtained was found in a mountain cave. It turned out that the infusion is able to get rid of some diseases, so the inhabitants of the valley began to actively breed it.
Like many elite varieties , at some point this began to be produced exclusively as alms to the emperor.
It was believed that no one except the imperial court could appreciate the taste of the drink.
Bai-cha was especially respected during the reign of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and mass production was established in 1796.
Manufacturing subtleties: what white tea is made of
The season and time when harvesting takes place depends on the particular variety.
For example, & laquo; Silver Needles & raquo; Collect following the multiple inhibition rule:
- they must not be touched in the rain
- if there is a poca on the grass,
- Leaves that are too small, large, weakened, dark, damaged are ignored.
Without paying attention to all these standards, it is impossible to achieve first-class quality. Hence the high price of white tea in the global market.
The collection usually takes place from mid-March to the first half of April.
It is difficult to overestimate the complexity of the plantation work. Therefore, the cost of this elite drink is not surprising.
Raw materials are collected two days a year at certain mornings.
White tea bushes sprout high in the mountains in a strictly designated place with special conditions.
Pickers should not eat pungent food before starting work.
To get 1 kg of finished teabags, you need to collect up to 100,000 young types (top leaves).
If it suddenly rains at the time of harvesting or a strong wind starts blowing, the process will have to be stopped. Because of all these tricks, the amount of white tea exported from China is extremely small.
Brewing requires minimal processing of raw materials. In this case, it is required to clearly follow the temporary restrictions on withering and drying, as well as be sure to comply with the regulated temperature regime, monitor the level of humidity.
If products need to be compressed (which is not always necessary), do it as carefully as possible so as not to damage the cups.
The production of this tea fits into the framework of one day. On a sunny morning (from 5 to 9 o'clock), shoots are collected, lined on a braided surface with a thin layer for several hours, then dried in an oven at + 45 & deg; C.
Only buds and the earliest leaves are suitable for brewing & ndash; 1-2 from the top of the bush. The younger the tea leaves collected, the more expensive the buy-cha variety.
To stop the fermentation process, the brew undergoes a short steaming exposure, which lasts about a minute.
Sluggish, damaged, twisted and dark leaflets should not be found in the finished product. Color of quality raw materials & ndash; always light green or grayish.
White tea types
There are about 15 variations of white tea, but four of them are especially popular:
- Peony petals (Bai Mu Dan). A specially selected tree is used for production. Kidneys surrounded by two leaves are collected from it. Details of the manufacturing technology are hidden by hereditary collectors. The unobtrusive floral scent and golden color at the ready fell in love with gourmets around the world.
- Silver Needles (Bao Hao Yin Zhen). This product is less common on the market than others, which makes it extremely valuable. This is due to the laboriousness of its creation: a short harvest time, subtleties in the selection of teas of the same color, the dependence of the quality of raw materials on weather conditions. But if you still managed to taste this delicate drink, you will never forget its taste.
- The eyebrows of an old man/longevity god (Shoy May). Leaves remaining after collecting the first two varieties are used for brewing. The finished drink has a darker shade, rich, tart aftertaste and aroma.
- Brows of an offering (Gong Mei). Crops for this variety are harvested from certain bushes. Moreover, in this case, adult, fully opened sheets are used. The drink tastes like oolong, but has more subtle notes.
White tea description, properties and composition
The variety got its name for the presence on the cups of a light pile of bai hao, which & nbsp; contains many valuable essential oils.
The main thing in white tea & ndash; a long and pleasant aftertaste, as well as useful substances embedded in the sheet by nature itself and not destroyed during the processing.
The leaflets contain vitamin groups A, B, C, E, P, polyphenols.
Scientists have discovered four main elements of catechin in buy-cha: EC, ECg, EGC and EGCg. These are the most powerful natural antioxidants.
It's nice to drink white tea during the long heat to refresh and quench your thirst. Wikipedia claims that the ether contained in the villi and buds of white tea has a cooling effect.
A truly high-quality white tea you will find in this section of our online store & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo;. Buying from us, you can be sure that you are getting acquainted with the very, real Chinese bai-cha, who grew up on Fudin mountain plantations.
Useful qualities
During the manufacturing process, the raw material goes through minimal processing, which allows you to preserve the pristine benefits of the leaves.
White tea is often called the & laquo; elixir of longevity & raquo;, as it improves the general condition of the body and has a beneficial effect on mental well-being.
In addition, white tea has the following properties:
- Antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial.
- Cleanses the body.
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Regular use prevents cancer cells from appearing.
- Normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Increases the body's resistance to viral and colds.
- Can be used as a mild antipyretic.
- Beneficial for sore throats and lung problems.
- Helps fight tooth decay and plaque.
- Relieves fatigue, relaxes, soothes.
- Accelerates metabolism, promotes weight loss.
- Improves vision.
- Normalizes the functioning of internal organs.
- Helps with poisoning.
Just a couple of cups a day and regular use will help you recharge, maintain beauty and physical strength in good shape.
In China, they believe that buy-cha is struggling with & laquo; three heights & raquo;:
- overpressure,
- cholesterol,
- sugar level.
He also possesses & laquo; three countermeasures & raquo;:
- radiation,
- cancer,
- early aging.
White tea is especially useful for overweight people, hypertensive people suffering from problems with the gastrointestinal tract, with problematic metabolism.
Chinese traditional medicine classifies white tea as an element of & laquo; metal & raquo;, as it symbolizes firmness, reliability and protection.
Infusion strengthens the immune system, promotes cleansing and increases resistance to various diseases. It is recommended to drink at elevated temperatures, inflammatory processes.
Take it if you are haunted by stress and tormented by chronic fatigue. It relieves symptoms of overwork, calms the body and mind.
As a natural antioxidant, infusion saves with alcohol, chemical or food intoxication. It removes heavy substances from the body by purifying it.
Studies have shown that buy-cha effectively burns fats and prevents new ones from occurring. It will help you stay physically fit.
For Women
- Activates metabolism and helps you lose weight without strict diets.
- It is no coincidence that the infusion is called the & laquo; elixir of youth & raquo;: it has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, makes it elastic, soft and tender, maintains water balance and gives it a healthy shade.
- Neutralizes the detrimental effects of stress on the body.
- Strengthens the hair bulbs, significantly reduces the formation of split ends.
For men
It is quite difficult to distinguish certain properties, since the drink is useful to any person. But for the stronger half, the following qualities may be important:
- This tea & ndash; a good assistant for physical and nervous fatigue after a hard day's work.
- It restores strength, relieves tension, has a beneficial effect on the CNS.
Harmful effects
Buy-cha has few contraindications. They should not get carried away during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with gastritis, ulcers, diabetes, kidney problems and insomnia.
Preparation rules
For a tea ceremony, it is better to use dishes made of good ceramics , Isin clay or glass .
Heat the kettle or guyvan with boiling water for 30 seconds.
You cannot use very hot water for brewing. It should be cooled to 85 degrees so that the leaves do not boil and lose their taste, aroma and useful qualities. You should also not brew with water of a lower temperature: the flavoring features simply will not fully reveal.
Infuse the same brew several times, increasing the brewing time, but not withstanding the infusion for more than 5 minutes.
The first infusion should not exceed a minute. If you use a glass brew, observe the color of the infusion: when ready, it has a light green or golden tint.
The first infusion is always drained. This allows you to maximize the quality of tea, as well as rinse it from small particles, dust.
150 ml of water will be required for 6 g of dry teas.
The finished drink has a soft herbal aroma and a delicate floral taste with a pleasant sweet aftertaste.
It is not recommended to add sweeteners & ndash; they do not allow you to enjoy the true taste of the product.
How to store white tea correctly
The storage container must be hermetically sealed, ceramic or wooden. It must be placed in a dark, dry place at a temperature of 10-15 degrees. Buy-cha, exhales quite quickly, losing its aroma and useful qualities, and also instantly absorbs the surrounding smells. Thus, do not put it on the same shelf with spices and coffee.
Subject to all regulations, the product can be stored for more than 10 years. There are cans for the correct storage of brews in our online store & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo;: here .
Debunking myths
There are many legends around Chinese white tea, many of which are created either by cunning traders or people who are poorly versed in tea culture.
- Misconception: special shrubs are used to produce buy-cha. In fact, it is still the same camellia growing in a mountain valley under certain natural conditions. Harvest time, fermentation rate and processing technology make the variety special.
- Misjudgment: The fresher the leaves, the more valuable the brew. Not at all. White varieties of the Chinese drink are also subject to aging, as are puers. Over time, they tend to turn to red varieties, gaining a number of new qualities: a richer golden shade of infusion, a thick and bright aroma. The only nuance is & ndash; storage conditions. In order for the teapots to survive for many years, you must store them according to all the rules.
- Misconception: buy-cha & ndash; most useful. It does contain a large amount of valuable substances (vitamins, antioxidants), which, due to incomplete fermentation, are preserved in the leaves. However, during brewing, some of them never get into the drink due to the low extractiveness of the composition. Thus, the benefits of this infusion are equated with the usefulness of other varieties with a less rich content of trace elements, but an increased level of return.
Conclusion
You can buy high-quality white, red, green and other varieties of tea in the catalog & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; - здесь.
We work directly with the world's best suppliers.
We offer only the best products at great prices, the quality of which has already been appreciated by a huge number of gourmets throughout the country. & nbsp;