Of all the tea Sri Lanka produces, white tea tips are the rarest — and the most misunderstood. Both Golden Tips and Silver Tips come from the exact same part of the tea plant, picked the exact same way. What separates them is a single decision made in the hours after picking, and it changes everything about the cup.
Where they both start
Both teas come from the handpicked, unopened tender buds of the Camellia sinensis plant — the same plant all tea comes from, but here, only the very tip of new growth is used, before the leaf has even unfurled. This is a fraction of what's harvested from a tea bush, which is part of why white tea tips are priced and treated so differently from standard black or green tea.
The one decision that separates them
After picking, the buds are dried — and how they're dried determines which of the two teas you end up with.
- Silver Tips are dried quickly, using machines or fans. This fast drying prevents oxidation, which is what preserves their pale, silver-white colour.
- Golden Tips are dried slowly, in the warm mountain sun. That longer sun-drying process causes mild oxidation — turning the buds a rich golden colour and developing a slightly deeper, sweeter flavour.
Both varieties undergo very little processing overall compared to black or green tea, which is what gives white tea its characteristic lightness and delicacy.
How they actually taste
Silver Tips are light, airy and exceptionally clean. Expect delicate notes of fresh grass, cucumber, and subtle floral undertones, finishing with a crisp, refreshing sweetness.
Golden Tips are richer, smoother, and naturally sweeter. Because the buds undergo that mild sun-oxidation, they develop distinct notes of wild honey, stone fruit like apricot, and a warm, malty undertone.
Neither is "better" than the other — they're closer to two different instruments playing the same note. Silver Tips reward a quiet moment; Golden Tips reward a slow one.
Brewing them properly (this part matters)
White tea buds are incredibly delicate. Treat them like a black tea — boiling water, long steeps — and you'll scorch them, pulling out bitterness instead of the flavour they're actually capable of.
- Water temperature: 170°F to 180°F (75°C to 82°C). Never boiling.
- Quantity: 2 to 3 grams of buds (roughly 1–2 tablespoons, since buds are very light) per 8 ounces of water.
- Steeping time: 3 to 5 minutes.
- Multiple infusions: Don't discard the buds after one cup. High-quality tips can be steeped 3–4 times, with each infusion revealing slightly different notes — add roughly a minute to the steep time on each subsequent brew.
Sourcing Golden and Silver Tips
Both are part of our Pure Ceylon Tea portfolio, alongside our standard black tea, green tea, flavoured and herbal ranges. We also offer private labelling for buyers who want to bring these teas to market under their own brand.
Interested in sourcing white tea tips?
See our full tea range or get in touch directly.