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Sowmee
WHITE TEA 25g
GRADE – Spring Grade #1
CAFFEINE/ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Low/ High
Cup characteristics: Delicious toasty character with body reminiscent of Oolongs. Lingering taste that encourages another cup.
Luxury ingredients: White tea
£ 7.20
In stock
PRODUCT ID: 328
Description
Sowmee: A Unique White Tea Experience
Sowmee stands apart from other tea varieties like green or black tea. This exquisite white tea comes from the Narcissus varietal tea bushes, known for producing delicate leaves. We hand-select only the finest “two leaves and a bud” to ensure the highest quality.
The Crafting Process
Our careful process involves minimal handling. We naturally wither and sun-dry the leaves, or, if necessary, dry them using a gentle baking process at temperatures below 40°C. This approach results in leaves that display a light green, almost grey-white color, ideally covered in soft peach fuzz. For Sowmee, we pluck the leaves during late April, May, and June, capturing the essence of the season.
Distinctive Taste Profile
The unique handling gives Sowmee a somewhat mixed appearance, with leaves that tend to be flaky and flat. Many tea enthusiasts appreciate its pronounced taste profile, reminiscent of oolong tea. This quality provides Sowmee with a substantial flavour that contrasts with the delicateness typically associated with white teas.
Health Benefits
Research from the Linus Pauling Institute in Oregon highlights the health benefits of white tea. In studies involving rats, white tea showed effectiveness in inhibiting natural mutations in bacteria and protecting against colon cancer. While it proved more effective than green tea in these tests, researchers caution against extrapolating results to humans.
Caffeine Content and Oxidation
Interestingly, the studies revealed that white tea, including Sowmee, contains higher caffeine levels compared to green tea brewed under similar conditions. This phenomenon likely occurs because white tea undergoes oxidation during withering, while green tea’s oxidation halts early in the process through steaming or pan-firing.
Preserving Antioxidants
One tea expert noted that, unlike black or green tea, we don’t roll or steam white tea. This preservation method helps maintain its antioxidant properties, making Sowmee not just a flavourful choice but a health-conscious one.
Experience Sowmee
Indulge in Sowmee for a truly unique white tea experience. With its rich flavour and potential health benefits, it’s a delightful addition to any tea lover’s collection. Enjoy a cup and discover the essence of this remarkable white tea!
HOT BREWING METHOD:
Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz / 200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Milk and sugar are not recommended. Ideal Brewing Temperature: 85ºC/185ºF. For Food Safety reasons bring water to 100ºC/212ºF and let it cool down to 85ºC/185ºF.
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD
(Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher, straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing freshly brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
(Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the leaves. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. A rule of thumb when preparing freshly brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today’s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.
