An Introduction to Chinese Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a type of reprocessed tea, where the fragrance of jasmine flowers is infused into a base tea, which can be green, black, oolong, white, yellow, or dark tea. The process involves using jasmine buds picked during the peak of summer and combining them with high-quality tea leaves through a method known as "scenting" (pronounced "yin" in the tea industry, based on the Fuzhou dialect). This gives the tea the fresh, elegant, and rich aroma of jasmine, while maintaining the refreshing and sweet aftertaste of traditional tea.

What is the "Scenting" Process?

The "scenting" process is a crucial step in making jasmine tea. In simple terms, it involves mixing prepared tea leaves with fresh jasmine flowers, allowing the tea to absorb the floral aroma while resting. After this, the flowers are removed, and the tea is dried, resulting in tea leaves that carry the jasmine scent. The number of times this process is repeated is known as the "scenting cycle." While multiple cycles can enhance the fragrance, they also introduce more variables, requiring careful attention to detail. Each additional cycle involves higher risks, and any mistake can lead to failure or a downgrade in quality. However, it's important not to judge jasmine tea solely by the number of scenting cycles, as both high and low cycle teas can be excellent or not.

Doesn't Jasmine Tea Contain Flowers?

After the scenting process, the jasmine flowers are removed, and the tea is dried. This separation is important because:

- The tea has already absorbed the floral scent during the process, and the jasmine flowers have released their fragrance, so keeping them is unnecessary.
- Leaving the flowers in the tea could result in an undesirable taste from the yellowing petals.

Therefore, premium jasmine tea is known for its quality of "smelling the fragrance without seeing the flowers," capturing the essence of jasmine in the tea itself.

Origin and Varieties
Chinese jasmine tea is primarily produced in Fuzhou, Fujian; Heng County, Guangxi; and Mount Emei, Sichuan. Among these, Fuzhou is renowned for producing the highest quality jasmine tea. With a long-standing history in China, Fuzhou jasmine tea is highly praised for its exquisite aroma and superior taste. The region's unique climate and traditional processing methods contribute to its exceptional quality, making it a favorite among tea connoisseurs.


Quality Characteristics

- Dry Tea:Fine, tight strips with visible white tips and numerous buds.
- Tea Liquor:Bright yellow-green, clear, and clean, with a mellow taste and strong floral aroma.
- Leaf Base:Tender green, bright, uniform, and fresh.

Brewing Recommendations

- Tea to Water Ratio:1:50
- Water Temperature:185–194°F (85–90°C)
- Brewing Time:10-15 seconds
- Suitable Utensils:Glass cups, gaiwan
- Number of Infusions:5-6 times

Health Benefits

Jasmine tea offers numerous health benefits, including:

- Relieving stress and calming the mind
- Promoting liver health and improving eyesight
- Detoxifying and enhancing beauty
- Freshening breath
- Calming nerves and dispelling cold
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Regulating qi and alleviating depression

Suitable for:

- People prone to heat
- Those feeling fatigued
- Individuals experiencing negativity, dry mouth, or loss of appetite
- Computer users
- People with dry skin