Loose-leaf white tea

What white tea is

White tea comes from the same plant as green and black tea, Camellia sinensis, but it is picked young and handled as little as possible. The unopened buds, covered in fine silvery hairs, and the youngest leaves are simply withered and dried. They are not rolled, fired or oxidised the way other teas are, and that light touch is what gives white tea its pale colour and its smooth, delicate flavour.

Buds, leaves and blends

The more bud in the tea, the sweeter and more delicate the cup. Two classic styles show the range: Silver Needle is made from buds only and tastes light and honeyed, while White Peony (Pai Mu Tan) combines buds with young leaves and has a fuller, slightly earthier flavour. Next to pure white tea there are flavoured blends, with fruit such as mango, pineapple or orange, with coconut or with mint. The description of each tea tells you whether it is pure or blended.

How to brew loose white tea

Use about 2 grams of tea per cup. The buds and leaves are light and bulky, so that is more than it looks on the spoon. Steep for 2-3 minutes, taste, and give it a little longer if you want more flavour. A good white tea can be steeped two or three times, and each infusion tastes a little different from the one before.

Water, cups and kit

White tea does not need much equipment. A pot with a wide strainer, or a basket infuser that sits in the cup, gives the leaves and buds the room they need to unfurl. Use fresh water rather than water that has been standing in the kettle, and let it come off the boil before you pour: water that is too hot pulls out a bitterness that has no place in a tea this delicate. Glass or white porcelain lets you see the pale, straw-coloured infusion, which is half the pleasure.

Storing white tea

Buds and young leaves are fragile, so keep them away from light, heat and moisture. A tin or a sealed jar in a cupboard is enough; an open bag on the worktop is not. Keep white tea away from coffee, spices and anything else with a strong smell, because the leaves take on the scent of whatever sits next to them. Kept dry and closed, loose white tea stays in good shape for a long while.

Caffeine in white tea

White tea does contain caffeine. It usually has less than black tea, but the amount depends on the tea and on how you brew it: a shorter infusion with cooler water keeps it lower.

Buy loose white tea

Our loose white tea is packed at Café du Jour. Choose a pure white tea for the clean, delicate taste, or a blend if you like fruit or mint with it. Looking for a bit more body? Try our green tea or oolong tea, or browse all our loose-leaf tea.