Brewing White Tea

White tea is more delicate than green or black. As a starting point, brew time should be 2 - 3 minutes using 175° F water. This helps protect flavor and aroma. For more flavor, add more tea not time. For specific instructions, be sure to read your Harney and Sons tin for more information.

How much caffeine is in White Tea?

Caffeine levels in white tea buds are slightly higher than that of green or black tea. This extra caffeine helps protect the plant from predators during early growth stages. All tea leaves contain natural levels of caffeine but how you brew your tea will determine the final amount of caffeine in your cup. To keep caffeine levels low, consider the following;

• Brew your tea properly with the correct amount water, temperature and brew time.
• Use loose leaf tea. Teabags tend to contain smaller, cut leaves resulting in higher caffeine extraction.
• Try a white tea blend. Blends tend to contain ingredients like hibiscus, which is naturally caffeine free.

Natural Benefits of White Tea

Young tea buds naturally contain a greater proportion of polyphenols. These polyphenols help protect the young leaves from insects and provide higher levels of antioxidants. While further studies are needed, these antioxidants are thought to help prevent cancer and heart disease.