White Tea

WHAT IT IS: The rarest of teas, this usually comes from two regions in China and has a very brief picking season. It's a fragrant, almost colorless brew that's lighter-tasting and sweeter than green.

HOW IT'S MADE: It's unfermented, made from the unopened silver buds and outer leaf tips, which are simply air-dried. Since white is the least processed of all teas, it preserves the most antioxidants.

HOW IT'S BREWED: Heat the water as you would green tea, then steep one teaspoon per cup for 3 to 10 minutes.