How to Make Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a traditional Chinese tea that dates back thousands of years, with its first recorded use by emperors during the Song Dynasty. Today, jasmine tea remains widely popular. But do you know how to brew the perfect cup of jasmine tea? In this blog post, I'll share tips and techniques to help you master the art of brewing this fragrant tea.

The most classic Chinese jasmine tea is made from green tea leaves infused with the fragrance of jasmine flowers. Below, we'll guide you on how to brew a perfect cup of homemade jasmine tea. While jasmine tea may seem simple, mastering the right water temperature and steeping time is key to achieving the best flavor.

1.About Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea, also known as Jasmine Scented Tea (茉莉香片), is a type of floral tea made from green tea leaves that have been scented with jasmine blossoms. Although the jasmine flowers are removed from the finished product, the tea retains their delicate fragrance, making it a unique variant of green tea. Jasmine tea has a history of over 1,000 years.

According to historical records from the Han dynasty, jasmine flowers originally came from the Roman Empire. During the Han dynasty, jasmine traveled through the Maritime Silk Road to ancient Persia and India. In India, it became a sacred flower in Buddhism, eventually reaching Fuzhou, China, along with the spread of Buddhism from India.

2. Benefits and Effects of Jasmine Tea

Promotes Circulation and Relieves Stagnation

Jasmine tea contains volatile oils that help promote the flow of qi (energy) and alleviate pain. It is known to relieve symptoms such as chest and abdominal discomfort, as well as a sensation of incomplete bowel movements.

Boosts Alertness

Jasmine tea has an invigorating effect that can help to stabilize emotions and alleviate feelings of depression, providing a natural way to lift your spirits.

Provides Antioxidants

Jasmine possesses powerful antioxidant properties. The green tea in jasmine tea contains catechins, a type of antioxidant that is crucial in protecting healthy cells from damage. This can reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Protects the Heart

The catechins in jasmine tea help protect the heart from oxidative stress. These antioxidants also play a role in regulating high cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which are key risk factors for heart disease.

3. Suitable and Unsuitable Conditions for Drinking Jasmine Tea

Suitable for:

Jasmine tea is beneficial for those suffering from constipation, hepatitis, chronic bronchitis, or skin ulcers. It also has properties that enhance skin health, aid in weight loss, detoxify, and eliminate body odor, making it ideal for individuals dealing with obesity or related conditions.

Unsuitable for:

People with conditions such as nervous disorders, insomnia, or iron-deficiency anemia should avoid jasmine tea. The caffeine in the tea can stimulate the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness, which might exacerbate these conditions. Additionally, the tea polyphenols in jasmine tea can affect digestion, making it unsuitable for those with weakened digestive systems. Women during menstruation or menopause should also avoid jasmine tea due to its potential effects on their health.

4. How to Select Jasmine Tea

When choosing jasmine tea, consider the following aspects:

Examine the Color and Appearance of the Dry Tea Leaves: High-quality jasmine tea should have evenly colored, tightly rolled leaves with visible white tips and no impurities.

Smell the Aroma: A good jasmine tea will have a strong, lasting jasmine fragrance. If the scent is weak or has an off-smell, it may indicate lower quality.

Observe the Brewed Tea: After brewing, high-quality jasmine tea should produce a bright, yellow-green tea liquor that is clear and free of debris. Cloudy tea or tea with excessive residue might suggest a lower grade.

Taste: The flavor of quality jasmine tea should be rich, sweet, and smooth, with no bitterness. If the taste is bland or bitter, it could be a sign of poor quality.

Brand and Price: Opt for well-known brands and reasonably priced jasmine tea to reduce the risk of purchasing a substandard product.

By considering these factors, you can better select high-quality jasmine tea for your enjoyment.

5.Here's the simplified version of the brewing instructions for jasmine tea:

Boil Water: Boil more water than you need to ensure there's extra for warming the teapot.

Warm the Teapot: Pour some hot water into the teapot, swirl it around, and then discard the water.

Steep the Tea: Add jasmine tea leaves to the teapot, pour in hot water, cover, and let it steep.

Serve the Tea: Strain the jasmine tea and pour the hot tea into cups. Enjoy!

6.When brewing Jasmine tea, keep the following points in mind:

1. Avoid using boiling water: Jasmine tea is typically made with green tea, which requires water heated to just below boiling. Boiling water can make the tea taste bitter.

2. Don't steep the tea too long: Since Jasmine tea is often made with green tea, it should be steeped for no more than 3 minutes. Over-steeping or using water that's too hot can result in a bitter flavor.

7.Here are some more tea options you might enjoy:

Red Date and Goji Berry Tea

Luo Han Guo Chrysanthemum Tea

Bubble Tea Recipe

Let's explore the brewing method for Jasmine tea together!