Exactly what is white tea? This isn’t really a simple question to answer, since even tea experts may have their own definition of what makes white tea.

One simple definition is that white tea, unlike black tea, is minimally processed. The leaves come from unopened buds, and in a few cases from the first shoot of the tea shrub. The leaves are simply withered and then rolled lightly, leaving you with extremely light-colored leaves.

Another definition is based on the subspecies. White tea, according to some Chinese tea experts, is tea made from the leaves of either the Khenge Bai Hao or the Fudin Bai Hao subspecies of the Camellia sinensis tea shrub. These subspecies are only found in China’s Fujian province, and they’re also processed in the traditional manner.

Why Drink White Tea?

White tea isn’t really all that popular compared to the other variants, but maybe it ought to be. Here are some of the more popular reasons for drinking white tea:

Great Taste

If you try the Eyebrow White Tea, you’ll find the taste quite strong and fruity. It tastes almost similar to oolong tea. The Bai Mudan version is even stronger, because the leaves are partially oxidized.

Lots of Antioxidants

White tea has catechins that act as antioxidants, fighting off the damage in the body caused by free radicals. The free radicals are compounds that are associated with various harmful diseases, and are linked to aging and chronic inflammation. They can also weaken the immune system.

Weight Loss

In today’s world where plenty of people are overweight, the ability of white tea to help you lose weight is obviously of interest.

One study showed that white tea may help break down fat, and even keep new fat cells from forming. Another study also indicated that it can boost the metabolism by about 4% to 5%. This can lead to burning an extra 70 to 100 calories each day.

Fights against Heart Disease

Heart disease is a common cause of death around the world, and it’s actually the number one killer in the US. You may want to drink white tea regularly to reduce the chances of getting heart disease.

White tea helps by boosting your immune system, and it also relaxes blood vessels. Other studies indicate that white tea keeps “bad” LDL cholesterol from being oxidized, which may lead to heart disease. Scientists have also found that drinking 3 cups of white tea a day can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 21%.

Anti-Cancer

Next to heart disease, cancer is the most active killer in the US. The good news is that white tea may help in the fight against cancer.

One study found that white tea can help with certain types of lung cancer, by causing cell death. Another study also indicated that white tea may keep colon cancer cells from growing and spreading.