White tea is from the same plant as black tea, oolong tea, or green tea – Camellia sinensi. Tea bushes for white tea, though, are shaded so the chlorophyll production is inhibited. This gives the leaves a pale green color and increases the level of catechins.
Silver needle white tea is produced from a tea bush varietal that was developed in 1885. It is one of the highest-quality white teas and is primarily from the Fuding and Zhenghe districts of Fujian province.
Kinds of Tea