White teas

White tea, an elixir of youth with a delicate fragrance

Visually first, white tea differs from itsblack tea counterparts,green teasAndoolong teasby its color of a soft pale yellow after infusion. Tastefully then, it is distinguished by light flavors and without bitterness, capable of positively surprising the palates less accustomed to the taste of tea.

It was in China, in the famous Fujian province, that white tea was born. It is generally believed thatthe traditional method of making white teasdates back to the Ming Dynasty, in the 16th century to be precise. Other Asian countries such as India, Indonesia and Nepal also produce excellent white teas.

At Betjeman & Barton, white tea has Chinese or Nepalese origins and reflects the centuries-old expertise of our tea house. Grown in the Fujian province or facing the Himalayas, our Grands Crus promise you a unique sensory experience with every sip.

While the unique production of white tea guarantees its balanced flavors and exceptional quality, it also explains the many virtues long attributed to this deliciously captivating, aromatic beverage. White tea is rich in benefits, but it is not a miracle cure for all our ills.

At Betjeman & Barton, we consider tea drinking a healthy, yet simple and authentic pleasure. Drinking a cup of tea is the perfect excuse to dream, reflect, or simply relax.

What could be more pleasant and authentic, then, than a white tea from an internationally renowned French tea house? Through our online store, you will findvarious white teas with a refreshing taste, in a natural version for raw pleasure, like ourChinese white tea Yin Zhenor subtly scented on themodel of our “Earl Grey” white teawith the fresh and fruity scent of bergamot or our“Tea Wedding” blendcombining the sweetness of white tea with the acidity of yuzu and the fragrant notes of rose.

Our white teas also manage to seduce the most gourmands thanks to slightly sweet notes. Thus, ourNepalese white tea “Shangri La”features subtle notes of vanilla and dried fruits, while ourChinese “Pai Mu Tan”is accompanied by irresistible notes of cocoa. Meaning “white peony”, Pai Mu Tan or Bai Mu Dan is also considered THE traditional white tea par excellence.

Our collection of white teas ultimately proves that white tea is sufficient in itself, but that its refinement is also enhanced by carefully selected plant ingredients.

What are the stages of making white tea?

Like other teas, thewhite tea comes from Camellia sinensis, a small tree with great powers. However, only the newly opened buds and the young leaves that accompany them are needed to produce this tea, which owes its name to the silvery down that covers the picked buds and leaves. Harvesting therefore takes place at the beginning of spring, followed by withering and drying.

On the one hand, the withering of buds and leaves is traditionally carried out outdoors or in tea granaries, depending on the climatic conditions. To achieve good quality white tea, the moisture content of the buds and leaves must be less than 20% after the withering stage.

On the other hand, drying is carried out in a hot air dryer, on shelves or in basins, to achieve a humidity level below 5%. While withering can take up to 3 days, drying lasts less than an hour. Here again, white tea is an exception, since it experiences the least oxidation and therefore has the lowest theine level compared to other types of tea.

The white tea is finally sorted by handand ready to be infused and then consumed. Made with the greatest delicacy, respecting ancestral know-how, it also deserves to be drunk according to the rules of the art.

Under what conditions should you enjoy a cup of white tea?

Every moment of the day is conducive totasting of an exceptional white teaInfused in low-temperature water, between 75 and 80°C, for 5 to 10 minutes on average, white tea retains all its qualities and flavor.

When steeped for a long time, white tea is generally less exciting than other teas, especially since its brewing temperature moderates the diffusion of theine into the beverage. It can therefore be enjoyed as much upon waking as at tea time or in the evening. As a bonus, its light aroma pairs perfectly with pastries and other sweet treats.

Sold in bulk from 100 g to 1 kg, thevarious Betjeman & Barton white teasare offered and savored without moderation, flattering the taste buds of connoisseurs and neophytes alike. Choose without further delay the tea that will take you to the heart of Asia without having to leave the privacy of your home.