Jasmine tea, often referred to as the “beauty among teas,” is renowned for its unique fragrance and abundant health benefits. However, for many tea enthusiasts, the exact category of jasmine tea remains a mystery. Today, we will unveil the secrets of jasmine tea, exploring its classification, production methods, and health advantages.

What Type of Tea Is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is actually a “reprocessed tea,” which does not fall into one of the traditional six categories of tea (white, green, yellow, oolong, black, and dark tea). Reprocessed tea refers to tea that has undergone further processing after the initial base tea. Jasmine tea involves infusing the aroma of jasmine flowers into the tea leaves, thus combining the original tea fragrance with the floral scent of jasmine.

Selection of Base Tea

The base tea used for making jasmine tea is typically green tea, although other types like Black Tea or Oolong Tea can also be used. This means that jasmine tea is not simply a type of green tea but rather an aromatic flower tea. The choice of base tea significantly affects the taste and quality of jasmine tea, so high-quality jasmine tea often uses top-tier green, black, or oolong tea as the raw material.

Production Methods of Jasmine Tea

The process of making jasmine tea is meticulous and involves several key steps:

1. Harvesting Jasmine Flowers

Jasmine flowers typically bloom at night, so the harvesting is usually done during the evening to ensure the most intense fragrance.

2. Scenting the Tea Leaves

After harvesting, the jasmine flowers are quickly blended with the tea leaves in a process called scenting. This involves layering fresh jasmine flowers with tea leaves to allow the tea to absorb the floral fragrance. The number of scenting cycles directly determines the concentration of the jasmine aroma, with high-quality jasmine tea typically undergoing five to seven cycles.

3. Screening and Drying

Once the scenting process is complete, the jasmine flowers are separated from the tea leaves, which are then dried to ensure their dryness and the longevity of the aroma.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is not only enticingly fragrant; its numerous health benefits make it hard to resist.

1. Antioxidant Properties

Jasmine tea is rich in polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant effects, helping to slow down the aging process and maintain healthy skin.

2. Stimulating and Refreshing

Jasmine tea contains moderate amounts of caffeine, which helps to invigorate and enhance focus and work efficiency. However, the caffeine content is balanced, avoiding the excessive stimulation associated with Coffee.

3. Promotes Digestion

Jasmine tea aids digestion and is particularly suitable after meals, helping to relieve stomach discomfort and promote gastrointestinal motility.

4. Stress Relief

The natural fragrance of jasmine has a relaxing effect, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety and uplift mood.

5. Boosts Immunity

The polyphenols and vitamins in jasmine tea help to boost the immune system and enhance disease resistance.

How to Brew Jasmine Tea

Brewing a perfect cup of jasmine tea also requires the right method. Here's a simple brewing procedure:

Ingredients

• 1-2 teaspoons of jasmine tea leaves
• Approximately 250 milliliters of hot water (80-85°C)

Steps

1. Preheat the teapot: Pour hot water into the teapot, wait for a moment, and then discard it to preheat the teapot.
2. Add tea leaves: Place the jasmine tea leaves into the preheated teapot.
3. Pour hot water: Slowly pour hot water (80-85°C) over the tea leaves, avoiding boiling water to prevent damaging the aroma and nutritional components.
4. Steeping time: Cover the teapot and steep for 3-5 minutes. Adjust the time according to personal preference.
5. Savor: Pour the tea into cups and savor the unique fragrance and smooth flavor of jasmine tea.

Suitable Groups and Drinking Times

Suitable Groups

Jasmine tea is generally suitable for almost everyone, but certain groups should exercise caution:

• Pregnant women: Avoid excessive caffeine intake.
• People with anemia: The catechins in tea may affect iron absorption.

Drinking Times

It is best to drink jasmine tea in the morning or one hour after meals to effectively promote metabolism and digestion. Due to the caffeine content, it is recommended to avoid drinking it in the evening to prevent sleep disturbances.

Conclusion

Jasmine tea is more than just a beverage; it symbolizes a culture and lifestyle. Its distinctive production methods, abundant health benefits, and captivating fragrance have made jasmine tea a favorite among tea lovers worldwide. Whether enjoyed daily or given as a gift, jasmine tea is a charming choice full of allure.