White Tea
As the least processed of the six tea types, white tea is a masterclass in subtlety and natural purity. Our single-garden selections are harvested with care to preserve their sweet, delicate flavours and soft, silk-like textures. Explore our white loose leaf teas for a refreshing, thirst-quenching experience, or discover our white tea bags for the same authentic quality in a convenient format. These infusions represent tea at its most transparent and refined, a true signature tea experience.
White Tea Frequently Asked Questions
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What is white tea?
White tea is the least processed of all tea types, simply plucked and left to wither and dry, with no rolling or firing to shape it. This gentle handling preserves the leaf's natural character, prized among connoisseurs for subtlety rather than intensity. Read our guide to loose leaf tea to see how it fits alongside other categories. -
What does white tea taste like?
Expect something soft and understated, notes of honey, melon or hay, with a light body and gentle sweetness rather than the punch of a black or green tea. Because the leaf is barely handled, origin and season show through clearly, so each garden's white tea tastes distinct. It rewards a slower, quieter cup. -
Does white tea have caffeine?
Yes, white tea contains caffeine, typically less than black tea, though this depends heavily on the specific leaf and grade rather than processing alone, despite the popular idea that less handling always means less caffeine. See What Tea Contains the Most Caffeine? for how it compares. -
How does white tea compare to green tea?
Both are lightly processed, but white tea skips the heating step that halts oxidation in green tea, relying instead on careful withering and drying. The result is a softer, more delicate cup than most green teas, which tend to be fresher and more vegetal. Compare styles in our green tea collection. -
What is Ceylon white tea?
Ceylon white tea comes from Sri Lanka's high-grown gardens, where tips are hand-plucked and minimally processed for a delicate, faintly sweet cup. It sits within Sri Lanka's wider tea tradition, better known for its brisk black teas. Explore more from the region in our Sri Lankan tea collection.