White tea benefits include having the highest level of antioxidants of all varieties of tea. In fact, research reveals that white tea has 10 times more antioxidants than vitamin E and contains high doses of polyphenols which may help lower undesirable fats in the blood. These protected nutrients protect the body from damage by free radicals, which can accelerate aging. Further, white tea is filled with catechins, an antioxidant that has been found to lower cholesterol. White tea has been shown to have a positive effect in fighting cancer-causing cells, and may in fact help protect against certain types of cancer including prostate, stomach or colon cancers. Other healthful benefits from drinking white tea include greater bone density and strength, protection against many bacteria and viruses, even helping lower blood pressure.
White tea gets its name from the silvery white hairs that appear on the unopened buds of the tea plant. The two main varieties of white tea are Silver Needle and White Peony. Silver Needle has been prized by consumers throughout ages by tea lovers because of its delicate flavor and aroma. Silver Needle white tea (Baihao Yinzhen) is considered the highest quality white tea because it contains only the delicate buds of the tea blossom. It is said that the leaf buds are plucked just before they open. These delicate buds are then steamed and dried, with no rolling or firing. The result is a tea that resembles silver needles.
Bai Mudan consists of the bud as well as the two uppermost leaves, which are covered in the silver white hair.
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