The phrase "white charcoal" refers to a type of charcoal that has been made from a specific type of wood called white oak or binchō-tan. It is called white charcoal because when it is burned, it produces less smoke and ash compared to regular charcoal, and has a lighter color. People often use white charcoal for cooking, water filtration, or even skincare because it burns cleanly and is believed to have some health benefits.