White tea is very delicate with slightly sweet notes. It is made solely from new growth buds and young leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis known as the tea bush. The leaves are steamed or fried to inactivate oxidation and then dried. White tea is paler in color than other types of tea and often has less aroma than black and green teas but it is a highly sought after type of tea. Due to minimal processing, white tea retains a high concentrations of catechins, a type of disease-fighting flavonoid and high levels of antioxidants. Studies show that this elegant tea is a powerful weapon to protect the body against certain diseases and reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disorders. It also provides natural antibacterial properties.
White teas do contain caffeine, although very low amounts.