Categories
Advanced Search
Email
•
What is Pukka Tea
For nearly a decade our tea experts have traveled to the farthest corners of the Earth in search of the finest teas available. Throughout their journey, our experts consulted scholars, ambassadors, health experts and tea growers from around the world to pinpoint the most delicious and exotic blends, never before available to the general public. Now, you can share in the magic of Pukka Tea and discover tastes that only a precious few have enjoyed for centuries. Our teas are second to none. Our spiritual advisor in India called our teas “Pukka” because, as he put it, they were derived from “the best of the best.” Won’t you join us on our journey of discovery and partake in the magic that is Pukka Tea?
•
What is white tea?
All teas come from the same source, but how it is processed determines what sort of tea will result. In the case of white teas, leaves are picked shortly before the buds, covered in fuzzy silver fuzz, have fully opened and the proportion of buds to leaves determines the type of tea that is ultimately produced.
•
Where does white tea come from?
Once the preferred tea of Chinese royalty, white teas were virtually unknown outside of China where it was first produced during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D). It is only in the last century that white tea was produced and made available outside of Asia.
•
How is white tea produced?
Made just from delicate buds, white tea is lightly steamed after picking and immediately dried and sorted by hand. This minimal process helps to preserve the white tea’s healthy antioxidant properties and its sweet, subtle taste.
•
Are there different types of white tea?
There are four common types of white tea. The type of tea produced depends up on how, when, where and from what bush the leaves and buds are picked, as well as how they are processed. The four common white teas are as follows: - Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) - White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) - Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei) - Noble, Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei)
•
How do specific white teas differ from each other?
Both the Silver Needle and White Peony are considered the highest-quality white teas available. The Silver Needle variety is carefully hand plucked from the Big White and Narcissus tea bushes. If the buds are picked with two leaves intact, the result will be the White Peony tea. The left over materials from the production of Silver Needle and White Peony teas are used to produce the Noble, Long Life Eyebrow. The Tribute Eyebrow is made from Chaicha tea bushes.
•
How do I choose the best white tea?
Higher quality always comes at a price and white tea is generally more expensive than most other teas. When choosing your white tea, there are a few issues to consider. It is important for your tea to meet the “three whites" requirement in order to ensure freshness and quality. The buds, the first leaves and the second leaves should be covered with tiny white hairs. The quality of the tea depends on the harvest season, with the best white tea being picked in early spring. White tea should never be picked on rainy days or when there is an abundance of morning dew.
•
What are the health benefits of white tea?
All teas are considered healthy, but because white tea is made of leaves that are “less processed” than for other types of tea, the health benefits of are greater than any other type. Rich in antioxidants, white tea has proven greater cancer-fighting ability than even green tea. White teas are known to boost the immunes system, helping to fight viruses and infection-causing bacteria. Studies have also shown that fluoride-rich white teas help prevent tooth decay.
•
What is the best way to prepare my white tea?
The delicate nature of a white tea can be compromised by water that is too “hard,” so filtered or spring water will produce the best cup of white tea. Similarly, water that is too hot will cook the delicate leaves and result in a less-than-perfect result. The ideal water temperature for your cup of white tea should be between 175 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. You should use 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of white tea per eight ounces of water. Pour the water over your tea and steep for approximately two minutes. One serving of white tea can be brewed several times.
•
What is the best way to store my white tea?
The quality of a tea is vulnerable to air, light, odor, heat and moisture. When exposed to these elements a tea will grow stale and lose the properties that make it special. If stored properly, white teas can remain fresh for up to 16 months. In order to achieve proper storage, use a double-lid, airtight tin or ceramic container.
•
How does white tea differ from other teas?
While most green teas have a distinctive earthy taste, a white tea’s flavor is light and sweet. White teas are light, almost shimmering, in color. In the United States and Europe, white teas may be a bit darker and have an almost nutty taste and smell.
Privacy & Security
