Posted by kathryn in Nutrition

Some of you may have heard about the positive health benefits of drinking green and white tea. Indeed, there was a period when it seemed I couldn’t open a magazine without reading about the wonders of white tea in particular. While it’s true that green and white tea are both rich sources of antioxidants, you don’t have to give up your black tea, as it’s also full of antioxidants.

White, green and black tea all come come from the same plant Camellia sinenses , but vary in how they are processed. White tea is made from the young leaves and new bud growth, which is then steamed and dried. It’s called white tea because the leaves and buds are covered with tiny silver hairs, that make the plant look white.

Green, black and oolong tea all come from the more mature plant and only the leaves are used. Black and oolong teas are made from fermented green tea leaves.

All are a rich source of a group of antioxidants called polyphenols. White tea does have the most antioxidants, followed closely by green tea, oolong and then black tea.

More on the health benefits of tea here.

23 May, 2007