"Tea is nothing other than this: Heat the water, prepare the tea and drink it with propriety. That is all you need to know."
- Sen Rikyu, 16th Century Oriental Tea Master

The health benefits of white tea are slowly being discovered by people from all over. And recent research has shown that indeed, these discoveries may have some scientific basis.

Researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) Micronutrient Information Center in Oregon State tested four types of white tea for their ability to inhibit mutations in bacteria, and subsequently examined the protective properties in a rat colon cancer model. In the former studies using bacteria,

white tea was said to be generally more effective than green tea in inhibiting mutations. While this may be subject to further tests, it thus shows some basis for the health benefits associated with white tea.

Paula Peatross, clinical dietitian with St. Mary's Medical Center , said some teas can be high in vitamin K and that all teas contain tannins. They are a component of tea that helps prevent cancer-causing agents from binding to target sites. The studies have revealed that white tea may have such components in relative abundance.

According to a study done by the LPI, white tea contains a higher proportion of buds, which are covered with fine, silvery hairs that impart a light white/grey color to the tea. White tea brews to a pale yellow/light red color, and has a slightly sweet flavor with no grassy undertones sometimes associated with green tea.