teaceylon teawhite teasilver tips
Ceylon White Tea: Silver Tips & Golden Tips
Ceylon Blends Tea Room··5 min read
The rarest and most delicate Ceylon teas are made from the unopened buds alone. Meet Silver Tips and Golden Tips — the jewels of Sri Lankan tea.
White tea is the least processed and most precious of all teas. It is made from the unopened buds of the tea plant, hand-picked and simply withered and dried — with none of the rolling or full oxidation of black tea. The result is a pale, delicate, naturally sweet liquor.
The grades
| Grade | Stands for | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Tips | Silver Tips | Small, unopened leaves (buds) of the tea plant, appearing a silver-mixed-white colour. |
| Golden Tips | Golden Tips | Similar to silver tips, but the colour appears as gold mixed with white. |
| GT | Golden Tip | Naturally dried leaves, lingering in sweetness due to hints of honey and pine. |
| ST | Silver Tip | Made out of the buds, but in a silver colour. |
How to brew white tea
Because the buds are so tender, white tea rewards a gentler hand: use water just off the boil (around 75–85°C) and a longer, patient steep. Expect a light golden cup with soft, sweet, honeyed notes — best enjoyed on its own, without milk.