Jasmine Silver Needle - Teabag Envelopes

How is white tea made?

The best types of white teas are harvested in springtime in the lush fields of Fujian province, China. These pure, rare teas are produced from the same plant used in most black, green and oolong teas – Camellia sinensis – but in this case, only the finest spring buds are collected and used. Look at the dried leaves of your Jasmine Silver Needle, and you'll see a soft fuzz of little white hairs, reflected in the name of this tea and a result of it being harvested young before its leaves unfurl.

Together with the minimal processing techniques, those youthful buds give white teas their famous delicate character. Once picked, they are carefully withered and dried under natural sunlight for up to three days – unlike green tea withering, where the tea leaves are left to dry for only a few hours. During this time, enzymes in the leaves produce sugars and the amino acid theanine, responsible for white tea's fresh, sweet flavour.

At The Tea Makers of London, we work closely with some of the very best tea farmers and tea producers in the world, regularly visiting local tea fields and production facilities to ensure the teas we provide are of the utmost quality. The leaves and flowers used to make our jasmine teas are all sourced from the revered Fuzhou region. Located high in the Fujian mountains, this is the original home of jasmine tea.

The health benefits of white tea?

Because of the natural way they're produced, white teas have been of particular interest in studies of how tea can boost health – with some evidence pointing to white tea having the edge over other kinds of tea. A unique cocktail of active enzymes, antioxidants and polyphenols are thought to be preserved in the making of white teas, some of which may combat skin ageing, heart disease, cancer and even dental issues. And thanks to our Jasmine Silver Needle's exceptionally low caffeine content, you can enjoy it all day long!

Alternatives to this Chinese loose leaf tea

For another outstanding white tea from Fujian, our White Peony offers a different floral option, this time with delightful fruity notes. Fujian is also famous for its green teas, and our Jasmine Dragon Pearls and Jasmine Green Tea are both beautifully floral examples of the style. Most of the best white teas are produced in China, but try the delicate and honey-like Rare Ceylon Silver Tips from Sri Lanka for a wonderful exception.

Rivers are of great importance for transport and irrigation. The climate here is temperate Humid Subtropical (CFA), with hot summers of high rainfalls and cool, dryer winters, with occasional snow in the northwest and at higher altitude. Across the year, the skies are mostly cloud-covered, with low wind. The province has a whole as varied vegetation, ranging from tropical to cold temperate species.

At lower elevations, the subtropical forests are home to evergreens, hardwood trees and confiners, lianas and ferns, along with a diverse fauna which includes many birds, amphibials and reptiles. Higher up, deciduous trees, conifers and rhododendrons are plentiful. Oolong, Black and smoked teas originate from the Wuyi mountains, in the North of the province.; whilst the white teas hail from Fuding and Zhenghe counties, closer to the coast, but still elevated, on rich, fertile forest soils. Rice cultivation is common in the valleys.