This special white tea, grown in the high mountains of Zhen He, is our most popular variety. It comes from the heart of the very small white tea harvest. It first came to our attention fifteen years ago after research published in Germany claimed it to have an energising, revitalising effect peculiar just to this type. Our research in the field since then would seem to back this up! White tea is of course now widely renowned for its very high levels of antioxidants. In addition to this I think the unique processing of this particular type, which is lightly steamed then merely sun dried, also lends it an extra special quality. It also lends it a rather wild looking appearance, varied tones of green and brown leaf laced with shimmery white tips. A great deal of the main crop now goes to the cosmetic industry where its antioxidants are extracted for use in face cream. Indeed this has pushed up prices of this very scarce tea and I have seen it for sale at prices up to £130 per 100g. For beauty from within and to fight off pollutants simply drink it! It is mellow and honey sweet in the cup with a lovely pale amber appearance. Many people have noticed a lovely flavour of Violets in it too. I think this is very pronounced when the tea is brewed perfectly and in cooler water. Containing very little tannin or caffeine it can be brewed for a very long time without losing its delightful flavour. This is picked between March 15 and April 10 but not on rainy days or if there is frost. (For our scented Tea of Life, please look at our Chinese Scented Tea of Life section)