White Tea steeping times
Hi,
I’ve seen in a lot of places that state white tea is best for 4 minutes at 185ºF…And I personally used to steep it for 2.5 minutes in 180ºF, but recently have noticed that it seems perfect at 160ºF for 3 minutes…does anyone have any input on this? Why would it be commonly stated to use a higher temp/time than green tea? White tea IS more delicate, right?
Thanks!
white tea is the most unprocessed of all tea. use water about 160 to 170 quick steep 30 second or less. if the water is too hot or the steep too long it will make the cup bitter.
Depending on the definition of “processing,” this claim may or may not be true. White tea is picked and sun-dried slowly. The process is the most simple, true. However, if processing equals the amount of oxidation, then white tea is actually MORE processed than green tea, because its simple method of actually being processed allows it to oxidiz slightly.
Also, I have found that a truly high quality white tea, such as a Silver Needle from Seven Cups, Teavana, or Red Blossom, is very durable. In fact, I’ve found that using different temperatures, anywhere between 175 and boiling, brings out different qualities in the white tea. IMHO, 190 degrees at two minutes brings out the most balance in a Silver Needle. However, I’ve found that a 1-minute steeping with boiling water brings out notes of white rose in a Bai Mu Dan.
Some of my white tea’s are 175F for 20 sec. in a gaiwan. Some 190F for 2 minutes Western Style brewing and 1 is 175F for 5 sec. using a gaiwan. So you just have to know your tea and a good relationship with the farmer/grower helps in knowing what is the best timing for each tea. This is why I like companies that buy tea from people they actually know.
You know, I’ve tried short steeps and I don’t really get enough out of it. I like a stronger cup, and never get any bitterness with 3min@160. Do you know why many places state a higher temp/time than green tea?
i think the temp is the most important with a white i do not see any harm in a longer steep for flavor it is up to the person for the time
In my experience, the higher quality teas, be they green, white, oolong, black, pu’er, or scented, are much more forgiving with temperature or steeping time. For example, I once had a silver needle at Ku Cha here in Boulder, and it got bitter after 3 minutes with 175 degree water in a gaiwan. On the other hand, I had a silver needle from Seven Cups that never got bitter, even after 10 minutes at 190 degrees!
My conclusion: quality of tea matters over steeping time or water temperature. Experiment with the teas that you are offering, have some of your most trusted friends/customers do the same, and, based on your conclusions, offer suggestive instructions on how to achieve the best flavor. This will give your customers the best experience.
I’m usually more careful with white teas like silver needles or yin zhens – those I usually do about two minutes at 180. But then a pai mu tan I find is a bit stronger, and I’ll do a 4-5 minute steep at 180-190, and it’s great.
I personally steep my white teas like I steep my green teas 160-175 for one minute or less. But I’ve heard that you can steep white tea with boiling water and a really short steep time.
Here’s a discussion on boiling white tea for up to five minutes.
Do you ever drink flavoured white tea? sometimes they really pop at just 30 seconds.
I do. I make flavored whites as well. There’s more white tea in them so that the flavor additions don’t overpower the white tea. I just tried one of them at 30 seconds and definitely didn’t taste as good as 3 mins. Interesting…
Hmm I’ve only noticed that with David’s and Tealish teas. Maybe it depends on the flavouring?
Perhaps. By flavored I mean white tea tisanes…do you mean flavor infusions like bergamot?
Hmmm I’m not sure. Have you ever tried Whisky White by David’s tea?
I’m not sure what you mean by tisane?
I’ve not really tried many flavored whites…by tisane I mean a tea mixed with herbs, berries, spices, etc.
I do 175 for about 2.5 min
I’ve been leaving it a bit longer each time to see how long I can go. White while delicate doesn’t seem to be as sensitive as green IMO.
I steep white tea at a very low temperature – 160°F – and for a longer period of time: 5 to 7 minutes. I get a lot of flavor that way and no bitterness.
It really depends upon the white tea, though, but this is my “go to” settings for it. If a manufacturer suggests a shorter time or a hotter temperature, I might test it out to see if those instructions produce a better cup of tea. Also, if I taste the tea and it doesn’t taste very good, I’ll toy around with the parameters to try to find the right settings.
I just tried my elderberry white tea at 160º for 5 minutes and it was pretty good! I believe I need to stop using tap water though…it’s just so easy to get! haha :P
I recommend getting a filter … I use one of those brita filters that are available everywhere, and it really DOES make a big difference in the flavor of the tea (not to mention ice cubes and everything else).
I really don’t recommend using bottled water for tea. Unless your tap water is really bad quality water, tap water is better than bottled water for optimum flavor. The oxygen in bottled water is usually gone by the time we get it at the supermarket, and no (or very little) oxygen means flat tasting tea.
Wow…I have one filled at all times and I don’t even think to use it…how silly of me! haha :D
Yes! I bought a cheap little Brita filter, and it has made all the difference. I used to not be able to drink tea when I was at my parents house because the tap is so bad. Luckily, the Brita filter has now saved me from the tea withdrawls.
Thanks for all the insight, guys…interesting stuff! So I guess it can be stated that white tea can be steeped anywhere from 160ºF-212ºF for 30 seconds to 7 minutes, and it depends on the person and the quality of the leaf? Sounds like quite the range — guess experimentation is always in order! :D
Normally I’m very attentive to suggested steeping instructions with most types of tea, but with white tea I’ve found that brewing temperatures and times anywhere from 170 to 212 degrees an 3-10 minutes produce equally good results in their own ways, it just depends on my mood. If I’m in the mood for something delicate, I’ll brew them at a lower temp and for a shorter time but I’ve been known to just steep white teas in boiling water and forget about it for ten minutes and it still tastes great, just a much bolder flavor. I find the flavor of “oversteeped” white tea to be very comforting in times of distress.
And about what you said about how white tea is labeled as being more delicate than green tea, I think when people say that they’re referring to the strength of flavor, not how easy it is to overbrew. At least that’s my experience, I’ve WAY overbrewed white tea and almost never gotten any bitterness.
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