The Ultimate Guide to Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a delicious floral blend that offers a world of flavor. Jasmine blossoms are used to scent a variety of different teas, opening up endless flavor options. It's commonly used to infuse green tea leaves with sweet, floral notes, but can also liven up a standard cup of black tea.

The scenting process involves wrapping true tea leaves with blossoms that are cycled out daily. The process can take days or weeks depending on the desired jasmine flavor. The tea is sold as jasmine pearls or delicate spindles and features a deliciously sweet perfumed aroma.

Jasmine tea has been used in Asia by the Ming Dynasty and in traditional medicine in India as an herbal remedy. Known as a popular herbal tea or flavored tea, this beverage deserves a closer look. Read on to find out more about jasmine tea with this handy guide.

What Is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is a blend of true tea leaves and jasmine blossoms. Jasmine blossoms are harvested from the jasmine plant known as Jasminum officinale. The tea is a classical Chinese tea and many varieties of the flower are harvested in the Fujian province of China.

Most jasmine teas are classified as flavored or scented teas. That's because the jasmine flowers are used to scent tea leaves and may not always be present in the final product. In some cases, the jasmine blossoms are used to scent tea leaves and then removed before packaging.

Jasmine is most commonly infused into green teas. Other popular favorites include white tea and black tea. The caffeine content of jasmine tea depends on which type of true tea it is infusing. Jasmine teas with black tea leaves have the highest caffeine content while those with white tea leaves have the lowest caffeine content.

Flavor Profile

The flavor of jasmine tea varies since it can be used to infuse a variety of other teas.  The location where jasmine is cultivated and how it is processed can also affect the flavor profile. Jasmine tea has a delicate and subtle flavor profile with hints of sweetness and floral notes. It boasts a perfumed aroma that is relaxing and rejuvenating.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea

1. Chock Full of Antioxidants

Jasmine tea contains high levels of antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals in the body. Free radicals can cause irregularities in cells and results in oxidative stress or the breakdown of cells. Free radicals have been linked to neurological diseases and cancer.

Depending on which tea is used as the base for jasmine tea, you'll reap the benefits of different antioxidants. Jasmine tea made with green tea is high in catechins while jasmine tea brewed with black tea leaves contains high levels of theaflavins.

2. Boosts Energy

One of the main health benefits of jasmine tea is that it can increase alertness. Since jasmine tea is used to scent true tea leaves, it has varying amounts of caffeine. That's because true teas from the Camellia sinensis plant naturally contain caffeine.

Caffeine can help boost energy and get you through a sluggish afternoon. Tea typically contains half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Switching from coffee to jasmine tea can lower your caffeine intake while still helping you focus better and stay alert.

3. Weight Loss Aid

Jasmine green tea can aid weight loss by speeding up metabolism. A faster metabolism means your body can process nutrients, fat, and protein more quickly. These benefits can be attributed more to the green tea leaves rather than the jasmine blossoms. Research shows that people who consume green tea regularly have higher resting metabolic rates.

4. Relieves Stress

The delightful aroma of jasmine tea has been used for centuries to induce relaxation. In fact, it's one of the most popular fragrances in aromatherapy. The perfumed aroma of jasmine tea encourages the brain to release chemicals that help the body relax and unwind.

The sweet flavor of jasmine tea also helps to induce a relaxed state. The fresh finish adds an invigorating factor that can perk you up after a long day. Settle down with a cup of jasmine tea and take a break from your busy schedule.

5. Boosts Immune Health

Jasmine tea has large quantities of anti-inflammatory properties, antibacterial properties, and antioxidants that protect against the common cold and influenza. It also contains vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system and keep you healthy all year long. A healthy immune system can also fight more severe illnesses and infections.

Best Jasmine Teas

Jasmine Dragon Pearls

The highest quality jasmine tea is known as Jasmine Dragon Pearls. This type of tea involves an infusion of jasmine blossoms and green tea leaves. The flowers and leaves are then rolled into tight balls or pearls by hand. These tea balls slowly unfurl when they are brewed creating a stunning visual treat.

Jasmine Dragon Pearls are made using only the youngest green tea leaves. Tea masters harvest the leaves during the first flush in spring. These leaves are characterized by delicate white tips and a tender flavor.

Jasmine Dragon Pearl tea features a soft, subtle flavor. It is soft enough for tea beginners to appreciate and features a complexity that will entice the taste buds of tea lovers across the globe.

Jasmine Silver Needles

Another high quality jasmine tea is known as silver needle or white tipped jasmine tea. Silver Needle white tea leaves are long and spindly and feature white tips.

This jasmine tea is made using only the first two leaves of each shoot, which are harvested during the first flush. Jasmine flowers are infused into Silver Needle white tea for a subtle flavor that is gentler than jasmine green tea varieties.

Yin Hao Jasmine Tea

Yin Hao is another loose leaf jasmine green tea. The quality tea features delicate spindles of leaves and the occasional flower blossom. Yin Hao jasmine tea is light and clear with a pale yellow tinge. It boasts a medium body with a heady aroma and sweet flavor.

Side Effects of Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea has been associated with a few negative effects. Most of these side effects are mild in nature and can be avoided by drinking jasmine tea in moderation. There are however a few things to watch out for.

Stomach Irritation

Jasmine tea can be highly acidic. This acid can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause problems including ulcers and stomach pain. Don't drink jasmine tea on an empty stomach and stop use if you feel any stomach pain.

Pregnancy

Jasmine tea has been associated with early contractions during pregnancy. This can lead to a higher risk of miscarriage. Both jasmine tea and jasmine oil have fragrances and chemicals that can induce labor. Avoid drinking jasmine tea while pregnant and always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal remedies.

How to Brew Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea can be brewed using dried or fresh jasmine flowers. It can also be brewed using tea bags and loose leaf tea blends. For blends, make sure to use the proper water temperature to avoid developing bitter flavors. For white and green teas, aim for water between 150 and 170 F. For black and oolong teas with jasmine flowers, use water temperatures between 190 and 212 F.

Avoid using sweeteners with jasmine tea as the added flavoring can overpower the delicate flavor of the tea.

Ingredients:

8-10 ounces of water

1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea with jasmine flowers

Instructions:

1. Boil spring or filtered water in a temperature controlled kettle or in a pot on the stove. Most jasmine teas should be brewed between 150 and 180 F. If using black or oolong tea leaves, increase the temperature to 190 to 212 F.

2. Add the tea leaves and blossoms to a tea strainer. Place the strainer in a tea cup and steep for 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor.

Sweet Floral Flavor

Jasmine tea is a scented tea that features delicate flowers and an aromatic fragrance. Whether you choose to brew green jasmine tea or jasmine black tea, you can enjoy the delightful scented aroma and the mildly sweet flavor. This tea can be brewed hot or consumed as an iced tea and is sure to become one of your favorite teas. Brew up a cup of traditional jasmine tea using floral blossoms and true tea leaves. You’re sure to love the flavors of this organic tea.