White teas are the rarest and most delicate in the world. Produced mainly in Fujian, China. White tea is made entirely, (in the case of Silver Needle) of unopened leaf buds that are covered in whitish down. The new buds are plucked before they open in the early spring, then withered and dried slowly at low temperatures. White peony (which is included in all these white teas along with the unopened buds), and also from Fujian, China, consists of the smallest bud and first one to two leaves of the new, early spring shoot of the tea plant. White teas are the least complicated class of teas to describe because of its seeming simplicity, but not the least difficult to produce. The manufacture is an ancient process that predates all others.
The flavor of white tea is subtle and delicate with a mild and slight natural sweetness. The best have a rich almost buttery mouth feel that is a little savory with the fresh aroma that barely hints at "new mown hay". The liquor in the cup is pale and shining from the essential oils and lightly straw colored. It can easily be blended with many natural fruits, flowers or herbs for a light, low caffeine, aromatic delicacy.
