White tea

White Tea consists of young leaves (new growth buds) that have undergone no oxidation; the buds may be shielded from sunlight to prevent formation of chlorophyll. White tea is considered to contain the most powerful cancer preventative properties of all teas. One recent study demonstrated it to remove/prevent even more tumors from the stomachs of specially bred cancer susceptible rats than green tea, or caffeine alone (athough all three were shown to have benefit). Produced almost entirely in China, white tea is steamed and dried almost immediately after harvesting (in some situations in the fields themselves). It is possible that this method of minimal processing accounts for this tea's added benefits. Roderick H. Dashwood, an Oregon State biochemist has theorized that the polyphenols, called catechins, are destroyed through the processing used with other teas. Another possiblity of why white tea may be especially beneficial is its high caffeine content--higher than that of other teas.

External Links

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/new/whitetea.html