Jasmine Green Tea Photo by killerturnip / CC BY 
Jasmine Flowers Photo by kevinomara / CC BY 
Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl tea Photo by 0121stephen / CC BY 
China Royal Jasmine Curls tea, Fujian Province Photo by moonlightbulb / CC BY 
Girl's Ring Jasmine Tea (Nu'er Huan), Fujian Province Photo by chashitsu_lasere / CC BY 
Tea Ceremony Set in Tea House Photo by 13523064@N03 / CC BY 
Red Tea Set for Wedding Photo by csss / CC BY 
Dim Sum with white tea pot on upper right Photo by roboppy / CC BY 
Jasmine Green Tea is scented with Jasmine Blossoms Poured onto Green Tea Photo by Daqve Dahl 
Jasmine Flower Tea Photo by darcymoore / CC BY |
OTHER
NAMES: mòlìhuā chá or 茉莉花茶(in Chinese)
Jasmine Green Tea is scented with
aroma from jasmine
blossoms to make a scented tea. It is the most famous scented tea in China. [1]
VARIATIONS & FLAVORS
Typically, jasmine tea has green tea
as the tea base; however, other variation such as white tea
and black
tea are also used. The resulting flavor of jasmine tea is subtly sweet and
highly fragrant. [2]
Different jasmine green teas are
made with different grades of green tea. The best are made with a large ratio
of tea
buds to tea leaves.
These will have a subtler, more delicate flavor than teas made with larger
leaves and fewer buds. Highest grade of jasmine green tea is called "Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl." (Photo on left)
HISTORY
Tea was discovered by accident in
2737 BC China by Shen Nong.
Many years later, the jasmine plant was believed to introduce into China
from Persia via India during the Han Dynasty.
(206 BC to 220 AD) It was not until the 5th century when jasmine flower was being used to scent tea. [3]
However, jasmine tea did not become widespread until the Qing
Dynasty (1644 to 1912) when tea started to be exported in large quantities
to the West.
Today, there are many production
places for jasmine green tea such as Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Zhejiang
provinces of China, as well as Vietnam. Among all, Jasmine tea produced in the
Chinese province of Fujian has the best reputation.
CULTURE
Tea
has been part of the lifestyle and custom in China for over a thousand years.
Tea is often associated with literature, arts, and philosophy. Use of tea is incorporated in tea ceremony, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese
cuisine, Weddings, and daily practice. It is common to prepare tea for family gathering
or guests visits as a sign of respect. Tea drinking is also common knowledge for
other circumstances such as to express thanks, to apologize, to celebrate, etc.
[4] There are different types of
brewing method, preparation, and tea wares for different regions of China.
Jasmine
green tea, in particular, is popular in northern China, which is a custom
to serve Jasmine tea as a welcoming gesture to guests and friends. Jasmine tea is the local tea beverage of Fuzhou, while
jasmine flowers are the municipal flower of that city. In the South, jasmine green tea is popular in dim sum restaurants.
While Taiwanese bubble tea is widespread worldwide, “jasmine green tea with tapioca balls” is one of the most popular recipes for bubble tea beverage.
HEALTH
Jasmine green tea is beneficial to our body if we consume the right
amount. According to University of Maryland Medical Center, they recommend adults
to drink around two to three cups of jasmine green tea a day. (providing
between 240 and 320 milligrams of polyphenols.) [http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefit-jasmine-tea-10533.html]
Jasmine green tea has a base of green tea, which have many benefits includes:
**Please note that there is some danger associated with drinking large
quantities of jasmine tea during pregnancy. It is also best to avoid drinking
it on an empty stomach because it is somewhat acidic and can cause stomach
discomfort. [5]
MAKING PROCESS Traditionally, fresh jasmine flowers are placed on a tray above a woven tray of tea leaves in a warm room. The jasmine flowers are replaced often to give the tea an ethereal, light aroma and flavor. Then, the tea is dried and packaged to be sold. Another method of making jasmine green tea is to mix green tea leaves with the leftover jasmine flowers. Let it sit and allow tea to be scented. Then separated flowers from the tea before the tea is dried and packaged. Sometimes, a few jasmine flowers will remain in the tea when it is sold. Some jasmine green teas are flavored with natural jasmine essential oil, jasmine natural flavor, artificial jasmine flavor or a mix of flower flavors. [6]
PREPARATION
For each cup of Jasmine green tea, add one teaspoon of loose tea and steeped with filtered water that is around
190 degrees F or 88C (simmering, not boiling). 3 minutes is usually
plenty.
For brewing jasmine pearls:
use more water with only a few pearls per cup
For jasmine flowering tea:
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