Everything You Need to Know About Silver Needle White Tea
When the sun smiles on the fields
Women sing and every breath is healed
The thick mist of dew enlightens Darjeeling
Only then the true silver needle is achieved
A cup of silver needle white tea can fill your day with an exceptionally delicate noble taste with visuals like the morning dew. You cannot think of categorising white tea amongst just other commoners. When we think of white tea we consider it to be royalty. You need to have an intrinsic and unusual taste in order to celebrate the true delicacy that white tea has to offer.
It is because of its unique and precious flavours and the health benefits silver needle white tea offers that it is one of the most expensive teas found in the market. It has been the case since ancient times as tea has been one of the favourite beverages to have by the royalties and emperors.
However, the question lies why is organic silver white tea so special? What is silver needle white tea good for? This article is meant to enlighten you of all the benefits of silver needle white tea and the recipe to prepare the perfect cup of tea. In crux, the article is the A to Z of white tea!
The Basics of Silver Needle
Baihao Yinzhen, silver hair, white pekoe are the different names that are used to term the Silver needle across the world. This particular tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and is the sibling of green and black tea that are the descendants of the same.
There are specific geographical conditions needed to grow this particular tea. There should be a balance between climatic conditions, soil, rain, sunlight, wind and altitude in order to grow silver needle white tea. All of the above-said elements are the contributing factors to the taste and texture of the tea.
What Does Silver Needle Tea Taste Like?
We have already enlightened you that the flavours of the tea are unique. You cannot experience the delicate flavours of any other kind. Silver needle white tea is refreshing, mellow tea with a natural sweetness imbibed.
The tea also has an undertone of mandarin orange and a tangy citrus aftertaste. You can expect the gist of the taste which the tea has to offer from the above argument.
Similarly with a hint of honey silver needle white has a sweet Floral and light Aroma similar to that of wildflowers.
The Beautiful Visual
What adds to the beauty of the taste and aroma of silver needle white tea? It's the colour. The tea goes from a wide range of ivory to sometimes golden pale in colour. You can expect it to look like the sun rays of the morning sun which pass through the dew.
When light reflects through it the tea shimmers and you can see silvery-white thin hair-like effects floating through it. All these factors and just the treat to watch and give your eyes a soothing scene to look at.
The Journey of Silver Needle White Tea
The Silver Needle is the least processed of all the types of teas. This makes it full of flavonoids, the one which retains the natural properties to their most potential. The tea is plucked very young. The buds are just about to sprout when the tea is handpicked. The process of tea plucking is done before the sun rises. The buds are covered with silver-white hair and that is why it is called the Silver needle white tea.
The processing and production of the tea requires expertise. Not all can cultivate this premium bud. The climatic conditions are to be set wet, hot and steamy. The tea plant can grow up to an elevation of 6 feet if you will not attend it. However, the white tea does not yield very high. It forms one of the reasons for the expensive tea.
The tea is plugged in during dry seasons. Only a skilled plucker with the perfect maturity and carefulness can pick the tea, preventing the tea buds from being bruised. After harvesting, the buds are dried in filtered sunlight.
All of the above said processes give its unique taste and aroma. The least fermentation and minimum oxidation process make the tea retain its natural beauty.
Silver Needle White Tea Benefits Explained
Skin Health
Many people struggle with skin instability such as acne, deformity and disfiguration. Where most of these skin conditions are not life-threatening, they're still irritating and can be a reason for low confidence. This tea will make way to achieve the perfect skin and fight all the irregularities.
A study by Kingston University represented that this tea has hydrogen peroxide which can help in healing the skin. Free radicals which can lead to signals of premature ageing including pigmentation and wrinkles are reduced by the tea with its anti-inflammatory properties. The redness and inflammation that are caused by skin diseases such as eczema or dandruff can also be healed with the antioxidants present in the tea.
Pollution is a real issue in the modern world. This pollution can help free radical build up in the body. Drinking green tea every day can help prevent free radicals as it has antioxidants. You can even use the tea directly on your skin. it will fill up your pores and detox your skin.
Silver Needle White tea has proteins like collagen and elastin that are further strengthened by phenols that will help make your skin appear younger and smoother. The proteins prevent wrinkles and prove to be a boon for the skin. These substances are also present in a range of skincare products.
Prevent Cancer with White Tea
Studies have shown that true teas hold the potential for preventing cancer. Though these studies do not conclude anything, the health benefits of drinking white tea are largely credited to the antioxidants, antiseptic properties and substances like polyphenols on tea. Antioxidants in white tea can help create RNA and prevent the mutation of genetic cells that leads to cancer.
Researchers used white tea extract to lung cancer cells in the lab and resulted in the dependency on the doses. Although studies are still going on, white tea is suggested to have properties that inhibit the production of cancer cells and can also lead to the death of mutated cells.
Weight Loss
Is losing weight just a new year resolution or something you should be working on? Losing those extra pounds is a true struggle and essential for a long and healthy life. Conditions like obesity are one of the largest reasons for death and the short life span of people.
Shed pounds easily by simply adding white tea to your routine as it helps your body absorb the nutrients easily. This will pave the way for your weight loss goals. Catechins found in white tea can also boost up digestive processes and help with weight loss.
Boost Hair Health
White tea is a special ingredient that can not only prove to be a boon for skin but also hair health. It has Epigallocatechin Gallate(EGCG), an antioxidant that paves the way for hair growth and will prevent hair loss. Protein is also a vital player in the treatment of skin diseases that are a result of bacteria.
Silver Needle White tea also naturally protects against sun damage, which can help keep hair from drying out in the summer season. White tea will restore all the warning problems and make your hair shiny and healthy like never before.
Improves Calmness, Focus and Alertness
Brain health is boosted by the Silver Needle White Tea as it has the L-theanine compound. The compound inhibits the production of stimuli exciting the brain for overactivity. Hence improving your focus and relaxing your brain. This results in better focus and alertness of the brain.
GABA is the neurotransmitter that helps the brain to calm down. L-theanine boosts the production of this transmitter. The tea with these properties will also aid the side effects of anxiety drugs.
Protects Your Oral Health
White tea filled with flavonoids, tannins and fluorides will help teeth stay healthy and strong. In toothpaste one of the common substances that are present to inhibit tooth decay is Fluoride. Plaque formation in the teeth that lead to cavities and decay is prevented by tannins and flavonoids present in tea.
white tea is also loaded with antibacterial and antiviral properties that will help your teeth, as well as gums to stay in a healthy position in the longer run. Your motivation should be to drink orthodox loose white tea twice a day to pave way for the process.
Helps in Treating Diabetes
Diabetes is a growing problem that is caused by both genetic hierarchy and an unhealthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are many ways to regulate diabetes and white tea is one of those.
White tea has catechins along with other antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent or regulate type 2 diabetes. Silver Needle White tea is effective to inhibit the activity of the enzyme amylase that directs the small intestine to absorb glucose.
The enzyme will help starches to break down into sugars. In diabetics patients, the enzyme causes a spike in blood sugar levels. Consuming white tea will prove to control these spikes as it inhibits the production of this amylase.
Reduction in Inflammation of the Body
White tea helps fight pain in the body by lowering inflammation. Catechins and polyphenols in the Silver Needle White Tea help it with the same. The same substances help regulate blood circulation and hence, the oxygen reaches the organs eliminating pain and aches in the body.
How to Brew a Perfect Cup of Silver Needle White Tea?
Reading about the health benefits and the flavours of the tea, we are sure that you are curious to taste it yourself. Here is a guide to brewing the perfect cup to save your time and energy in searching for the same:
- Since the tea has beautiful colors we recommend using a glass infuser to see the infusion process and the colors blending in.
- Take 2 teaspoons of the tea and put it in the strainer of the infuser.
- Take 8 ounces (240ml) water in the kettle and heat it.
- The recommended temperature range is 155ºF to 160ºF.
- Pour the heater water onto the tea leaves and let it infuse for 2-3 minutes.
- Earthly your cup of tea is ready!
Bottom Line
Eisai once quoted: “Tea is the elixir of life.” We at Ksepana believe in every alphabet of the quote. Scientific backing and traditions have taught us the medicinal properties and benefits of tea. Silver Needle White tea is one such medicine for your body and soul. Embrace the tea and make it a daily ritual!