In recent years, there have been many white and yellow Tea products on the market, known for their fresh and refreshing taste, they are very popular.
So here comes the question: as a tea novice, I only know that they taste good, but I really don't know much else! These white and yellow teas, are they White Tea and yellow tea respectively? Are the colors inherent in the tea buds, or do they change during processing? Why do they turn these colors? Do they have more health benefits?…
No rush, let's take a look at them one by one~
Whitened and yellowed varieties of tea plants are a rare type of tea plant germplasm resource. Influenced by genetic and environmental factors, the chlorophyll content in their buds and leaves is low, causing the new shoots to appear white, yellow, or golden-white.
During the whitening and yellowing periods, the amino acid content in the buds and leaves is high, while the content of tea polyphenols and caffeine is moderate. The dry tea made from them has a high degree of freshness in taste, with the leaves turning white or golden-yellow when infused. They are not the traditional white tea and yellow tea from the six major tea categories.
▲ ‘White Leaf No.1' New Shoots
Whitened varieties are mainly cold-sensitive tea plants, while yellowed varieties are primarily light-sensitive tea plants.
① Whitened Tea – Cold-Sensitive Type:
The new shoots of whitened tea plant varieties are pure white, golden-white, or cream yellow (still white even at maximum whitening). As the temperature changes, the degree of whitening weakens, and the color gradually turns green. This type of tea plant variety generally experiences a “whitening – regreening” phenomenon only in spring under natural cultivation conditions, such as ‘White Leaf No.1', ‘Millennium Snow', etc.
② Yellowed Tea – Light-Sensitive Type:
The new shoots of yellowed tea plant varieties are golden-yellow, pale yellow, or light yellow. Most yellowed varieties exhibit yellowing throughout their annual growth cycle. The tea made from these yellowed buds and leaves is usually called “yellow-leaf tea,” also known as yellowed tea, such as ‘Golden Bud', ‘Imperial Fragrance', etc.
A thousand words are not as good as a direct look!
Today, we visit
The Five-Star Sample Library of the Chinese Tea Society Quality Evaluation
It is said that this library contains many
high-quality teas processed from such varieties,
let's go and take a look together!
01
Company: Anji Chashengdao Tea Garden
Sample: Jishi Bai Brand Anji White Tea
Appearance: Phoenix-shaped, emerald green, uniform
Infusion color: Tender green and bright
Aroma: Fresh and high
Taste: Fresh and tender
Leaves after infusion: Tender green and whole, uniform
02
Company: Chongqing Yujia Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.
Sample: Miaowang Brand White Tea
Appearance: Phoenix-shaped, emerald green with golden hues, fresh, uniform
Infusion color: Tender green and clear
Aroma: Fresh and lasting
Taste: Fresh and tender
Leaves after infusion: White leaves with green veins, uniform and whole
03
Company: Dazhu Zongda Tea Professional Cooperative
Sample: Xiao Yu White Tea
Appearance: Phoenix-shaped, tender green, lustrous, fresh, uniform
Infusion color: Tender green, clear, and bright
Aroma: High and refreshing
Taste: Fresh and mellow
Leaves after infusion: White leaves with green veins, buds and leaves whole, uniform
04
Company: Yixing Zhenxiang Ecological Tea Specialized Cooperative
Sample: Jiuxiang Cuicai Brand White Tea
Appearance: Whole buds, straight, tender green, lustrous
Infusion color: Tender green, clear, and bright
Aroma: Fresh and fragrant
Taste: Fresh and mellow
Leaves after infusion: Whole buds, tender green and bright, uniform
05
Company: Jiangxi Xiangtanshan Tea Co., Ltd.
Sample: Zixi White Tea
Appearance: Phoenix-tail shaped, tender green and l