By now, most of us have heard of the healthy and life-enhancing
effects of green tea. The antioxidants in green tea, called
polyphenols, neutralize the harmful free radicals that damage the cells
of the body. In turn, this cell damage may lead to cancer and symptoms
of aging. As more and more health-conscious people are becoming aware
of the impressive statistics of green tea, it has become very popular.
However,
green tea is not the ultimate in antioxidant refreshments. The next
wave, which may be even more forceful, is the habit of drinking white
tea. White tea and green tea come from the same plant, but white tea is
not processed as much as green tea. Green tea is leaves from the tea
bush that are withered in hot air, and then steamed or lightly
panfried. Then, the leaves are gently rolled and heated.
White
tea, on the other hand, is immature tea leaves that are plucked right
before the buds open fully. They are still covered with a youthful
silvery fuzz, which turns white when the tea is dried |
