Discover the Best White Tea: A Guide to 2025’s Finest Selections

White tea still has everyone talking in 2025 - people can't get enough of its purity, its soothing quality, and that delicate and utterly unique taste. Now when it comes to tea, white tea is the least processed - and that's a big part of what makes it so lovable.

It's from the same variety of tea plant as green tea and black tea, and oolong tea, but what really sets it apart is the little attention its given - which results in a taste that's so sweet and so soft, you just can't get enough.

To bring you our top 8 best White Teas of 2025, we put in the work. Our team sifted through numerous customer reviews, looked at the best-selling white teas from top brands, and put every single one through a rigorous evaluation process. We looked at flavor consistency, quality of ingredients, and availability - and we even conducted our own taste tests to get a sense of the tea's aroma, body, and after-taste.

Whats left is a list of the top white teas - each one delivering high-quality craftsmanship, authenticity and drinking pleasure that really can't be beat.

White tea is made from the youngest, most delicate buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant – the same plant that green tea, oolong tea and black tea came from. It's the least processed tea, with minimal handling and oxidation, so its natural goodness and delicate flavor are preserved. Young tea leaves are prized for their light, mellow character and high-quality make-up.

White tea leaves are typically air dried to maintain flavor and antioxidants. Brewing requires careful attention to water temperature, ideally between 175°F–190°F, to extract subtle flavors without bitterness. Properly brewed, white tea has a pale yellow color, soft sweet taste, and subtle floral fragrance.

Notably, white tea contains less caffeine than many other teas, making it ideal for everyday sipping. It offers a smooth, delicate body with a honey-like sweetness that lingers on the taste buds.

Beyond taste, white tea benefits include a high concentration of antioxidants like catechins and polyphenols, supporting overall health and wellness.

1. Silver Needle White Tea (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) - This top-of-the-line tea is made from young buds covered in fine white down, giving it a silky texture and a delicate floral aroma. It's one of China's most prized white tea varieties - especially when it comes from Fujian or Yunnan.

2. White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) - Made from buds and young leaves, it's got a bit more body and a slightly stronger taste than Silver Needle. The floral notes are reminiscent of peony flowers, and the leaves look just like peony blossoms when they're fresh.

3. Shou Mei - A bit later in the spring harvest, this white tea has darker leaves and a rich, nutty tone that's just perfect for those who love a bit more depth in their tea.

4. Jasmine Silver Needle - A unique blend that combines Silver Needle with jasmine blossoms for an aroma that's just intoxicating.

What's notable about these teas is that even though they come from the same tea bush, differences in harvest time, leaf size, and climate all contribute to their own unique characteristics. 

Most white teas are made in China - and Fujian and Yunnan are particularly famous for their beautiful white tea traditions and regional specialties.

Brand overview: Harney & Sons is a real name in fine tea - and they're based in the lovely town of Millerton in upstate New York. They're one of America's most trusted names in fine tea - and they're known for their gorgeous premium blends, elegant tins, and commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Every single tea reflects Harney & Sons' perfect blend of tradition and creativity - designed to make luxury tea feel down-to-earth and enjoyable for every taste.

Flavor and experience: French Macaron is a flavored white tea that's got almond, vanilla, and caramel notes all blended together in perfect harmony. The aroma is like walking into a Parisian bakery - all light and buttery and comforting. When you take a sip, you get a smooth, mellow tea with a gentle nuttiness that lingers softly on the finish. It's like sipping a dessert - and it's absolutely perfect for those quiet afternoon moments (or with your favorite pastries, of course).

Brewing & Serving Notes: To get the most out of this white tea, steep 1 teaspoon (2g) of the leaves in hot water that's just shy of boiling (175°F) for 2-3 minutes. As it brews, the French Macaron is going to give off a warm, comforting vanilla-caramel aroma and turn a lovely pale golden hue. Best enjoyed hot to really bring out that creamy sweetness, or chilled if you want a more delicate, dessert-like pick-me-up.

Brand overview: Plum Deluxe is a Portland, Oregon-based artisan tea maker that's built a rep for their small-batch, hand-blended teas that combine imaginative flavor combinations with a mindful approach to tea-making.

Flavor and experience: Lavender Daydream is a flavored white tea that brings together some really interesting flavors. They've taken delicate white tea and blended it with lavender, peach and mango essences, lemon verbena, rose petals and orange peel. The result is an aroma that opens with soft floral and stone fruit notes, then balances those out with a bit of citrus brightness. It's a really light, harmonious cup that's perfect for a relaxed afternoon moment.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Use about 1 decent-sized teaspoon of the Lavender Daydream White tea in 8 oz of water that's just below boiling (≈175°F). Steep for 3-5 minutes. As you wait for it to brew, the tea fills the air with fragrant lavender and stone fruit notes, and it turns a pale golden color - just lovely. Grab a good book and enjoy it in peace, or brew it lightly, chill it down, and serve over ice for a refreshing tea experience.

Brand overview: Tea with Tae is a small, boutique tea company that's known for its modern take on premium loose-leaf blends and stylish, eco-friendly packaging. And their Winter Bliss blend is pretty special - it combines three types of whole-leaf teas with rich, indulgent mix-ins that make it perfect for those of us who like to think about our tea a bit.

Flavor and experience: Winter Bliss pairs white tea (Pai Mu Tan), black tea (Ceylon), and green tea with almonds, coconuts, cinnamon chips, chocolate and hazelnuts. The aroma when you open the pack is like a warm hug - toasted nuts and sweet spices that just make you want to curl up with a cup. And then there's the taste - creamy coconut, warm cinnamon, and a delicate nutty finish all layered over the pure whole-leaf base. It's cozy, aromatic, and perfect for a relaxing moment or a fancy tea treat.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Use one of their neat little sachets (or about 1 teaspoon of loose tea) in 8 oz of boiling water, steep for about 5-6 minutes. As Winter Bliss brews, it fills the air with sweet almond and nut-brown sugar notes, and the liquor turns a warm golden color. The texture's smooth, and the finish just lingers on with a gentle toasted-nut sweetness. Enjoy it as a quiet evening pick-me-up, or chill it down and serve over ice for a subtle, nutty-spiced cold brew.

Brand overview: Nepal Tea Collective is a tea company rooted deep in the Himalayan highlands, and they're pretty proud of their organic, hand-crafted teas that respect both the quality and sustainability of their tea-making process.

Flavor and experience: White Prakash is a real gem - it's got velvety floral notes with hints of vanilla and muscatel, and a smooth, buttery finish. It's a bit of a hybrid - a white tea that's got some of the delicacy of an oolong, but none of the complexity. The one-leaf-and-bud pluck and refined processing give it a really refined taste.

Brewing & Serving Notes: To brew White Prakash, use 2 grams of tea in 8 oz of water heated to 180°F. Steep for 3-4 minutes to let the delicate flavors really come out. As you wait, the tea fills the air with a soft floral aroma and turns a pale golden color - really lovely. Enjoy it to really appreciate its floral notes, or serve slightly cooled for a smooth, refreshing finish.

Brand overview: August Uncommon Tea is a LA-based tea company that's all about sensory, art- and music-inspired blends that evoke mood, memory, and style. Their teas are not just about the flavor - they're about the experience, too.

Flavor and experience: Know by Heart is built on a mild white tea base (Pai Mu Tan) that's infused with orange blossom, almond and honey notes. The aroma when you open the pack is like a breath of fresh air - sweet almond and orange-blossom character that just makes you feel calm. And then there's the taste - a soft unfolding of florals, a hint of marzipan sweetness and gentle citrus brightness. It's light, aromatic, and refined - perfect for a quiet afternoon or a delicate dessert-accompaniment.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Use about 2 teaspoons (3.5 grams) of tea in 300ml of water heated to a pleasant 195°F (90°C). Let it steep for around 4-5 minutes. As the Orange Blossom Almond white tea brews, the cup fills with the lovely scent of almonds and citrus, and the liquor turns a pale honey yellow. It has a smooth texture and finishes with gently floral notes and a mellow almond sweetness. Whether you want a soothing, subtle cup or prefer it poured over ice for a cool white tea, this tea has you covered.

Brand overview: Beach House Teas is a small, artisanal tea company based down on the Southwest Washington coast. They're really passionate about crafting high-quality, organic, loose-leaf blends that capture the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. They focus on quality, regionally-sourced ingredients and small-batch production.

Flavor and experience: Willapa White Lavender has a white peony tea base that's blended with lemon verbena, rose petals from the wild, and Pacific Northwest lavender. When you take a sniff, you get these soft floral notes with a bit of a citrusy kick - it's like taking a gentle walk through a lavender field on a breezy day. The taste is calm and balanced and just really soothing.

Brewing & Serving Notes: To brew Willapa White Lavender, try using about one heaping teaspoon of the loose-leaf tea for every 8 oz of water that's heated up to around 212°F (100°C). Steep it for 4-5 minutes to bring out the best flavor. As it brews, it releases this lovely delicate lavender and lemon verbena scent and the liquor turns a pale golden color with a smooth finish. It's a great one to enjoy in the evening for a calming ritual or brew it lightly, chill it, and serve over ice for a refreshing pick-me-up.

Brand overview: iLOLA is a brand that's all about bringing together craftsmanship with a modern, convenient twist. They're all about quality ingredients, innovative packaging and teas that are made for the way we live now. They're big on combining traditional tea craftsmanship with fresh ideas and a focus on today's world.

Flavor and experience: This one's a white-tea-based blend that's been mixed with some lovely warm chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and lemongrass and finished off with a bit of vanilla flavoring. The result is a rich creamy-spiced cup that's got a warm cinnamon and soft vanilla front, while the white tea keeps it nice and light. It's perfect for a cozy moment when you want something a bit indulgent without being too intense.

Brewing & Serving Notes: For iLola's Sweet Cinnamon Chai No. 40, place one Tea Disc into 8 oz of water heated to around 175°F (80°C) and steep for about 4-6 minutes. As it infuses, a warm aroma of cinnamon and vanilla will fill the air, and the cup develops a comforting, slightly spiced sweetness. Enjoy it as is or add your favorite milk alternative for a creamy chai latte—this tea works beautifully either way.

Brand overview: Danfe Tea is a brand that's based in Nepal and they're super passionate about bringing high-quality, single-origin teas from the Himalayan foothills to tea lovers all over the world. They're all about sourcing their tea from smallholder farmers in Nepal and using sustainable farming practices. They really focus on getting the freshest possible tea to you.

Flavor and experience: Himalayas Best White Tea is this gorgeous expression of Nepal's unique terroir, with delicate floral and light nutty notes. When you take a sip, it's like a breath of fresh mountain air - it's clean and crisp with a lovely balanced sweetness that lingers nicely. If you're a fan of white teas with a bit of gentle complexity and a naturally sweet taste, this is the tea for you.

Brewing & Serving Notes: To brew Himalayas Best White Tea, simply steep about 1-1.5 teaspoons of the tea in 8 oz of water that's heated up to 175°F (80°C) for about 3-4 minutes. As it brews, the tea turns a soft golden color and releases these lovely floral and alpine aromas. The flavor is smooth and pure, and the finish is light with a lovely sweetness that's just like a spot of fresh mountain air. Enjoy it plain to really appreciate its delicate, natural taste or lightly chill it for a refreshing cup.

Most authentic Chinese white teas come from Fujian Province, known for Silver Needle and White Peony. Its cool coastal climate and misty mountains create ideal conditions for tender leaves.

China, especially Fujian and Yunnan, produces the majority of white teas, each region offering unique flavors and cultural value. Fujian teas are prized for their delicate teas quality and refined character, crafted from carefully plucked young buds and leaves.

Other high-altitude regions like Nepal and Darjeeling also produce excellent white teas with distinct muscatel and buttery notes. Though white tea is the least processed tea type with little oxidation, regional processing differences influence its flavor.

regional processing differences influence its flavor.

These global regions ensure a white tea for every palate, from soft and floral to crisp and refreshing, with some blends incorporating tropical tea elements for a unique twist.

Thanks to the fact that white tea is made from young tea leaves, it's packed with naturally occurring antioxidants - especially polyphenols and catechins - that researchers are looking into for their potential in helping with overall wellness. Its mild caffeine content gives a sense of gentle wakefulness minus the jitters. Many tea drinkers enjoy white tea as part of a balanced lifestyle that includes hydration and mindfulness.

Because it's less processed than other true teas, white tea gets to keep more of its natural polyphenols - a feature that tea enthusiasts often appreciate for its traditional association with natural wellness. To keep these natural qualities intact, it's super important to store your tea properly - protecting it from light, moisture & strong smells.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

By 2025, white tea continues to prove that subtlety can be pretty powerful. From the refined Silver Needle to creative floral blends, every cup reveals the craftsmanship and balance that's gone into making it.

If you're looking to take your tea ritual to the next level, check out the full white tea collection at Taste of Tea. 

Whether you prefer the soft sweetness of Bai Mu Dan or the modern artistry of Lavender Daydream, there's a perfect cup out there waiting for you.

Behind the Cup

Further reading