299269 Sat Nov 20 17:13:45 -0800 2004 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1657169 What is white tea? It is the same tea leaf unfermented, as in green tea and black tea? Sat Nov 20 17:13:45 -0800 2004 0 Cynthia 1 1657172 White tea is new buds, plucked before they open, steamed and dried. It's gray-silver in color and is sometimes sold as silver tip. Makes a very pale, mild-flavored brew. It can be hard to find, as they don't produce very much of it. Have you run across it? Sat Nov 20 18:56:48 -0800 2004 1657169 0 squid-kun 2 1657181 I have some from the Republic of Tea. I believe I bought it at Cost Plus World Market but I've also seen the brand at my local chain bookstores. The one I have is Honeysuckle White Tea but I know they have them with other flavorings. On the package it says it is rare white tea buds from China's Fujian province. I think I paid somewhere around $12.00 for 50 tea bags. Expensive but the tea is good. Link: http://www.republicoftea.com/ Sat Nov 20 23:58:56 -0800 2004 1657172 0 wendy 3 1657183 Wendy, white tea is great (not to mention very healthy) but there are really many far better vendors than ROT, though not perhaps at your supermarket. Try www.inpursuitoftea.com, www.specialteas.com, or www.uptontea.com. ROT's added flavorings mask the true flavor of the tea and besides, with the stuff being in teabags, you can't really see what the leaves look like, which you should be able to since it's important for the overall quality of the tea. The world of tea is wonderful, and I hope you will want to discover more teas. I would suggest that you get yourself a teapot and filter and try some loose leaf teas from reliable vendors such as the above. You'll see that the quality is much better while the cost is actually lower, plus you'll be able to read reviews of individual teas, ask questions and learn more about specific types. Link: http://www.specialteas.com Sun Nov 21 01:04:10 -0800 2004 1657181 0 Sir Gawain 4 1657187 Actually the white tea I mentioned is the only tea I own from ROT. I do have several tea balls/ strainers and frequent a local privately owned loose leaf tea shop. I bought the ROT on a whim because I was very intrigued by the honeysuckle and also because it is white tea. I enjoy flowery type teas and jasmine is one of my favorites so I bought the ROT. I drink it only on occasion and have had the same package for quite awhile. Sun Nov 21 02:34:54 -0800 2004 1657183 0 Wendy 5 1657236 Apologies for my pompous presumpteousness. I happen to hate ROT because I find them dishonest, overpriced and smarmy, but shouldn't assume that everyone who drinks their stuff is new to tea. Sorry. Sun Nov 21 23:58:44 -0800 2004 1657187 0 Sir Gawain 1 1657189 Junshan Silver Needle (yinzheng), Number 4 of China's "Ten Famous Teas," is what you should look for. It runs about $30 per 1/4 lb. Todd & Holland carries it. Link: http://www.todd-holland.com Sun Nov 21 02:35:23 -0800 2004 1657169 0 Gary Soup 1 1657209 you may also want to try www.rishi-tea.om www.imperialtea.com www.thefragrantleaf.com Sun Nov 21 17:38:40 -0800 2004 1657169 0 hidegard 1 1657218 I love white tea. Some of the best I have found is at the Tao of Tea in Portland OR. Tealuxe in Boston also carries some but their list is not as extensive. Link: http://www.taooftea.com Sun Nov 21 20:10:27 -0800 2004 1657169 0 Julie 1 1657302 I don't know if they still have it, but I purchased a box of white tea in individually foil wrapped teabags from TJ's about a year ago-- 100% white tea, no added colors, flavors or preservatives (so says the box). The aroma and flavor were quite unusual and not entirely appealing to me, almost like the tiniest hint of bacon grease (of all things)-- though I do not know if this is because of the inferior quality in teabags, or if this is really what the tea is supposed to smell like. Mr. Taster Mon Nov 22 17:43:23 -0800 2004 1657169 0 Mr. Taster 2 3013597 The Key to brewing a white tea is the water and the time you brew the tea. I just purchased a niffty little tea brewing timer which helps you to brew the perfect cup of Green , Black or White Tea. They also have a great selection of whole leaf white teas in pyramid tea bags http://www.white-tea.com Sun Oct 07 23:47:18 -0700 2007 1657302 131555 Jane Hill