The Many Health Benefits of White Tea

More info, trivial and otherwise, on white tea: It is believed that white tea was discovered in China during the period 960 - 1279 AD., known to historians as the Song Dynasty. White Tea during this period was considered to be the "Emperor's drink." Commoners were not allowed to drink the beverage. When White Tea eventually became available to all, it was still extremely rare and expensive.

White Tea consists for the most part of the young buds of the tea plant, which are covered with a silvery white down that gives the unopened leaf a white look and delicate taste. A handpicked tea, this tea is usually a first flush leaf that is harvested in early spring and is extremely limited in terms of amounts available.

The health benefits of White Tea are considerable. White is among the purest forms of tea available, and has undergone minimal amounts of processing. This results in a beverage that contains a high degree of antioxidants. These antioxidants, along with the health-promoting phytochemicals that destroy free radicals (which are believed to be responsible for ageing), reinforce the body's immune system, operate as an antiviral agent and contribute to an active, healthy metabolism and circulatory system. White Tea is thought to combat obesity and is also known to reduce stress and relaxes the mind, making it what some believe to be the ultimate health drink.