10 Best White Teas of 2025 (Tea Sommelier-Reviewed)

Silver Needle is the cream of the crop! It's made only from the top buds of the camellia sinensis plant, a variety that was originally only grown in the Fuding district of Fujian province, China. So if you're looking for the highest-quality silver needle, find one that's grown in Fujian.

Since the buds are picked during the first harvest, silver needle flaunts a soft, slightly sweet flavor that stays the same even after multiple infusions. The aroma of this tea is woodsy and floral, while the color looks a bit ivory. Just take a sip and feel the delicate flavor lingering on your palate. It's definitely a must-try for tea addicts!

The price is often directly proportional to its quality, and Silver Needle is surely the most expensive variety out of all types of white tea. So expect to pay a bit more for it! 

White Peony, or Bai Mu Dan, is the second grade of white tea. It consists of hand-picked young buds and one or two tea leaves at the top of each plant shoot. 

Compared to Silver Needle, White Peony tea doesn't cost as much, but the taste is still exquisite and unique. It has a strong flavor with a floral hint and a slightly nutty aftertaste. The color doesn't look pale like Silver Needle but is instead greener in color. If you prefer a full-bodied, rich taste, this type of white tea is a great option for you! 

Tribute Eyebrow, or Gong Mei, scores the third rank. Its interesting name is derived from the long, crescent-shaped leaves that look quite similar to the eyebrow of the Chinese god of longevity. This type of tea is harvested after Silver Needle and White Peony and features a darker color and bold, fruity taste that resembles oolong tea.

Longevity Eyebrow, also known as Shou Mei, is the fourth grade, containing mostly leaves and very few buds. The taste of this tea is similar to Tribute Eyebrow and enjoyed by many people.

True white tea (Silver Needle and White Peony for example) is made from the camellia sinensis plant variety found in China. However, there are many other types of white tea that are grown in other parts of the world. 

Ceylon white, a variety in Sri Lanka, consists of tea buds that are at least 25 millimeters in length. It features a mild, fruity taste with a note of honey. On the other hand, Imperial Himalayan white tea is cultivated at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Since it's grown at high altitudes, the flavor is often crisp and pretty bold. 

When it comes to convenience, tea bags definitely beat loose leaf teas. There's no complicated equipment or long wait. You just need to put a tea bag into your favorite cup, pour some water, and wait for a few minutes until your tea is done! Plus, they tend to be quite affordable.

However, you should pay attention to the material of the bags. While most tea bags are safe, some are made from plastic and might release microplastic particles into your tea. Paper tea bags can also be troublesome as well! Some products are chlorine-bleached and contain health-damaging components such as dioxin.

If this is a concern for you, opt for tea bags crafted from 100 percent natural fibers. Make sure to choose tea bags with full leaves too. Some tea bags contain crumbles and stems that have lost most of the natural essential oils. So always go for high-quality tea bags that are infused with whole leaves to reap all of the health benefits. 

Loose leaf teas are usually very high in quality and often consist of only whole leaves. As a result, they are packed with the vitamins, minerals, and essential oils that exist naturally in the leaves. Once steeped, the leaves will release a full-bodied, rich flavor that will keep on lingering for a while.

However, brewing loose leaf tea takes time. You'll need a tea infuser or teapot as well, and sometimes the price can be steep. But for tea addicts, loose leaf teas will definitely give you the experience you're looking for!