All tea has a vast array of wonderful health promoting properties, but the concentrations of different antioxidant phenols, caffeine, and L-theanine vary greatly from type to type of tea. Many people are well aware of the health benefits of green tea, but what about white tea? What are some of white tea's benefits and properties and how do they compare with the benefits of green tea, black tea, oolong, or puer?White tea is harvested from the top leaves and buds of the tea plant which are covered with very fine white hairs, giving the tea its whitish appearance. It is processed minimally, being steamed or roasted almost immediately after harvest to prevent oxidation of the leaves, leaving most of the chemical components found in the raw leaves intact, more intact than any other tea, even green;
· Catechin- Catechin is the antioxidant phenol that is found in raw tea. The process of oxidation used to create oolong tea and black tea causes the oxidative enzymes in the tea to react with air and various chemicals on the surface of the leaves, thereby creating more complex polyphenols from the catechin. Because of the lack of oxidation that marks white tea, it has a very high concentration of catechin, higher than any other type of tea. Catechin has been found to bond with cholesterol and remove it from the system and prevent the development of bad cholesterol due to oxidation, as well as retarding the growth of cancer cells and DNA damage caused by exposure to forms of radiation (laptops, cell phones, television, microwave ovens, etc.).
· Theanine- Theanine is a non-protein amino acid that is found more or less only in tea. It is absorbed through the small intestine and passes the blood brain barrier. It creates a sense of mellow well being and calm by directly stimulating the production of alpha waves in the brain. It is also instrumental in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) which assists the body in controlling the flow of serotonin and dopamine.
· Anti-bacterial/Anti-fungal activity- In a study conducted at Pace university, using white tea extract, found that white tea was more effective than green tea(also extracted) in inactivating bacterial viruses like Staphylococcus(like MRSA) and Streptococcus, indicating that white tea might have powerful anti-viral effect against human pathogenic viruses along with its already well known anti-bacterial properties, which can help prevent things like dental cavities and tooth decay caused by bacteria(but don't stop brushing because tea still stains the heck out of plaque!) Dr. Schiffenbauer, a microbiologist who participated in the study said "Our research shows that white tea extract can actually destroy in vitro the organisms that cause disease".
All in all, it's very good news for those of us who enjoy the occasional (or frequent) cup of white tea. Of course, this is only a small list of the benefits of white tea and research is still being conducted constantly, adding to and refining that list. There is a lot more in that pot than a bunch of leaves...