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« The Winner of Lipton’s White Tea “Free Your Y” Bike is… | Main | Week 23: Split Routine Trial Begins, May 25-31 »

Lipton White Tea Review

By Cindy | June 4, 2008

I was first introduced to white tea while living in Japan. Even though green tea prevailed as the beverage of choice, I enjoyed the varieties of tea regularly available in Japanese culture. Recently, I have recognized the trend of bottled teas coming to the United States. Many of these products were readily accessible in restaurants, vending machines and stores throughout Japan. White tea is unique in that it’s picked at a very young age. Hence, the grand marketing push by Lipton to Free Your Y (Inner Youth). Clever and catchy.

Lipton shares all the great qualities studies reveal in drinking White Tea and you’re welcomed to read all about antioxidants and Theanine under Tea and Health.

I received three products from Lipton to share in the review. My observations and general comments for each product:

1. Diet Peach Papaya Lipton White Tea 1.5 L Bottle

• The peach papaya overpowers the hint of white tea that came more as an after taste
• Why does a tea have to come in a diet form? Naturally brewed, tea is a perfect non-calorie drink with out needing the use of the word “diet.”
• The diet tea is sugar free but it’s not just a white tea. It blends in green tea! I find green tea to be much stronger than white, so can it be considered a white tea?

Ingredients:
Water, citric acid, white and green tea, sodium hexametaphosphate (to protect flavor), natural flavor, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate (preserves freshness), ascorbic acid (to protect flavor), potassium benzoate (preserves freshness), aspartame, acesulfame potassium, citrus pectin, calcium disodium edta (to protect flavor).

Nutrition Facts:
74mg protective flavonoid antioxidants per 8 fl oz serving
112mg protective flavonoid antioxidants per 12 fl oz
Serving Size: 8 oz.
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 60mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Sugars 0g
Protein 0g

• Beware of the Bottled Raspberry White Tea: As you review the ingredients below, the high level of sugar (16g) for 8 oz. is surprising . I never add sugar to green, white or herbal teas, so this was a bit of a shock.

Raspberry White Ice Tea

Ingredients:
Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, White And Green Tea, Natural Flavors, Sodium Hexametaphosphate (To Protect Flavor), Phosphoric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (To Protect Flavor), Potassium Sorbate And Potassium Benzoate (Preserve Freshness), Acesulfame Potassium, Calcium Disodium Edta (To Protect Flavor).

Nutrition Facts:
74mg protective flavonoid antioxidants per 8 oz serving
112mg protective flavonoid antioxidants per 12 oz serving
Serving Size: 8 oz.

Calories per serving: 60 ***(that’s 8 fl oz!!!) so there’s 150 cal. in a bottle***

Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 65mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 5%
Sugars 16g
Protein 0g

The bottled white tea only comes in three varieties: Raspberry, Diet Raspberry and Diet Peach Papaya.

2. Raspberry White Tea Iced Tea Mix To Go

• The raspberry is very strong and completely masks the flavor of a white tea.
• Used in a 20 oz. bottle, I felt like I was drinking a juice rather than a slightly flavored water.
• I’m not quite sure why the ingredient list is broken down by the 1/2 packet rather than a whole packet. A serving size in the case of a To Go Mix for a bottle of water really should reflect the full bottle.
• The ingredients include sugar and sucralose, so if you’re trying to avoid the sugars and artificial sweeteners, add this to your list. Even though the packaging says it’s an insignificant amount of sugar, I find this argument frustrating and irrelevant. The sugar is present just like hydrogenated oils are present in many items in insignificant amounts. Once consumed throughout the day, it builds in the body!

Ingredients:
Malic acid (provides tartness), white tea powder, green tea powder, maltodextrin, sugar*, sucralose (sweetener, Splenda brand), natural flavor, silicon dioxide (prevents caking), soy lecithin.
*Adds a dietary insignificant amount of sugar.

Nutrition Facts:
80mg protective flavonoid antioxidants per serving
Serving Size: 1/2 packet (0.7g) (makes 8 fl oz prepared)
Servings per container: about 20

The To Go Mix also comes in an Apple Cranberry flavor.

3. White Tea w/ Island Mango & Peach Flavor Pyramid Tea Bags

• I love the pyramid style tea bags. The infusion of flavors was quick and brewed well.
• The best of the products that I tried. I enjoy a nice freshly brewed herbal tea.
• However, I was disappointed to find that the white tea is not the only leaf added to the natural flavoring (which I’m guessing is the mango and peach). There is a mix of green tea, orange leaves, rose hip, lemon grass and licorice root. It’s hard to say how much of the white tea is white tea.
• Why add modified corn starch? I’m really confused.***The box lists it, but it’s not on the website listing.***

Ingredients:
White tea, green tea, orange leaves, rosehips, lemongrass, licorice root, natural flavors.

Nutrition Facts:
75mg Antioxidants (flavonoids) per serving
Serving Size 1 tea bag (2g)

The only other tea bag variety provided by Lipton is a White with blueberry and pomegranate.

* * * * *

Overall, I was rather disappointed with Lipton’s choice of bringing White Tea to the attention of the American public. As the most recognized brand, they had the opportunity to show what a wonderful flavor white tea can be by itself. It’s distinct, yet delicate. Freshly brewed, iced or hot, 100% white tea doesn’t need to be artificially inseminated with these overpowering flavors.

Maybe our population is too inundated with multi-flavored, sugary drinks and the hope was to tap into those tastes and desires. I recommend going all natural.

Check your labels and buy a white tea that’s 100% white tea leaves. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

By the way, I love Lipton’s Premium Black tea (containing only orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea). It’s the basis of our Southern Sweet Tea of which I will never give up, but drink for special occasions and picnics! I’m a Southern girl. What can I say!

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Topics: Reviews |