Alright, let’s talk about brewing the perfect cup of white tea. I’ve been on this tea journey lately, and white tea is a whole different beast. The big question: what temperature is best for white tea?

So, I started experimenting. First, I just boiled the water like I usually do for black tea. Poured it over the leaves, and…meh. It was kinda bitter and just not very pleasant. Definitely not the delicate flavor I was expecting.

My Experiment

• Tried boiling water (around 212°F) – resulted in bitter tea.
• Read online that white tea needs a lower temperature.
• Decided to use a thermometer.

Next, I grabbed my kitchen thermometer. I aimed for around 175°F, which I’d read was a good starting point. Heated the water, carefully watching the temperature. Once it hit 175, I poured it over the leaves and let it steep for about 5 minutes.

The result? Much better! The tea was light, slightly sweet, and had a nice floral aroma. No bitterness at all. This was the taste I was looking for.

Further Tweaks

• Experimented with 170°F – still good, maybe a bit more delicate.
• Tried 180°F – a little stronger, but still pleasant.
• Realized that steeping time also plays a role.

I played around with the temperature a bit more, going as low as 170°F and as high as 180°F. They all produced decent cups, but I found that somewhere between 170-175°F is my sweet spot. I also realized that steeping time matters. Too long, and it can still get bitter, even at lower temperatures.

So, my final take? Don’t boil the water for white tea. Keep it around 170-175°F, steep for 4-5 minutes, and you’ll get a lovely, delicate cup of white tea. It’s all about finding what works best for your taste buds, but this is a pretty good place to start. You should try it!