Jasmine Teas
Delicate & Rich Flavor
Jasmine Teas enjoy a rich history dating from the Song Dynasty in Chinese history. Jasmine tea is essentially tea with the added flavor and fragrance of Jasmine flowers. Usually, green tea or white tea is used as a base for Jasmine tea because the flavor and sweetness of Jasmine are very delicate and can be easily overwhelmed particularly with a full-bodied tea such as black tea.
Jasmine tea is the most popular of scented teas that originate in China. It is traditionally served to welcome honored guests.
To make Jasmine tea there is more involved than just tossing jasmine blossoms in a bin of tea and brewing it. Since tea leaves are harvested in the early spring and jasmine flowers do not blossom until the later spring or early summer, the tea must be stored until the jasmine can be picked. Jasmine blossoms are picked early in the day before the tiniest petals are opened. They are then kept cool and stored until the nighttime. As the blossoms open, the jasmine is gently mixed with the tea and stored overnight. It is done in this manner because as the flowers open they release their scent and sweetness into the tea. It can take up to four hours for the jasmine to effectively infuse into the tea, and the whole process needs to be done several times to create the jasmine tea that is so well-loved. Of course, the more times the process is repeated the stronger the jasmine flavor and scent. Because the tea leaves absorb moisture from the flowers the tea must be re-fired to prevent it from spoiling.
One of the most elegant ways jasmine tea is prepared to be served is in jasmine tea pearls. This way of serving jasmine tea allows steeping to gently unfold tea leaves in the water gently releasing the aroma, not overpowering the drinker. Jasmine tea is also commercially available in tea bags to be the most convenient possible, but most tea drinkers prefer the delicate balance of jasmine tea in loose tea.
