White teas are considered by some to be the purest in the world. Spring buds are plucked, dried and sorted - no pan firing or steaming, no fermentation, just pure tea. Traditionally these are grown on small freehold plots - some growers produce only a few hundred pounds per year. Our trusted relationships with finished leaf manufacturers ensure that we're able to secure quantities of even the rarest whites, often before they reach auction, helping to keep profits in growers' pockets. Note: White tea has a very high polyphenol count.

Hot tea brewing method:: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly (à la chinoise) - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180°F or 90°C. Place 1-2 teaspoons of leaves in your cup and let the tea steep for 3 minutes. Then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on - until the tea flavor is exhausted. Alternatively for 1 time use, add boiling water and steep for 3-5 minutes according to taste. Milk or sugar will mask the delicate characters of this tea and are not recommended. Look at the pattern of the leaves - they foretell life.

Iced tea brewing method:: It is not customary to make iced tea from white tea, nevertheless if you wish to do so we would recommend the following method: Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.]

2oz. Loose Leaf Tea yields 36 hot cups