White Tea

Young leaves or new growth buds that have undergone minimal oxidation through a slight amount of wilting before halting the oxidation with heat. Though the young leaves may be shaped before drying, leaf buds processed into white tea are usually dried immediately after wilting. The buds may be shielded from sunlight to prevent the formation of chlorophyll. White tea is produced in lesser quantities than most other styles and can be correspondingly more expensive than tea from the same plant processed by other methods. It is less well known in countries outside of China, though this is changing with an increased western interest in organic or premium teas.