What is white tea?
White tea is a lightly processed tea made from young buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, with minimal oxidation. The leaves are withered and dried with very little shaping, which gives many white teas a gentle flavour and pale golden liquor.
Most white tea comes from Fujian Province in China, where Fuding and Zhenghe are two important producing regions. We also carry white tea from Yunnan Province, where older tea trees can produce a bolder, more structured style.
Our white tea range
We stock several types of white tea, each with its own character:
Silver Needles (from $11) — pure tea buds, light and naturally sweet. The most delicate white tea we carry.
Wild White Peony 2025 ($29) — buds and first leaves from wild-growing tea bushes in Fuding. Fuller than Silver Needles, with a floral quality and sweet aftertaste.
Gong Mei 2020 ($20) and White Nectar 2023 ($22) — approachable everyday white teas with a brisk, hay-like character.
Aged White Tea 2012 ($35) and Wild Aged 2008 ($230) — white teas that have developed richer, deeper flavours through years of natural ageing.
Gardenia White Tea ($25) and Rose Mandarin White ($35) — blended white teas with floral and citrus additions.
Does white tea have caffeine?
Yes. White tea contains caffeine because it comes from the tea plant. The exact level depends on cultivar, bud-to-leaf ratio, serving size, water temperature and steep time. Bud-heavy white teas can be more caffeinated than many people expect, while mature-leaf or aged styles may brew a softer cup depending on how you prepare them.
Not sure where to start? Visit our Salamanca Tea Bar in Hobart and try a few before you decide.
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