The scent of Jasmine Tea: what is Jasmine Tea

Once reserved for the nobility, Jasmine tea, today, is the most drunk tea in China and is also one of the most appreciated aromatic beverages in the world; its tradition has its roots in the millenary Chinese culture, for which this extremely delicate and refined tea represents a welcome gift for guests.

Are you ready to go on a scented journey to learn of the origin of jasmine tea?

What is Jasmine tea

Jasmine tea or Jasmine green tea is the international name for the Jasmine flavoured tea, one of the most refined, scented and sweet tea variants.

Although the original is the one made with green tea leaves, today two other variants have also spread, from black tea and the precious white tea.

In China it is the national drink and the finest jasmine tea is produced in the province of Fujian, a district in the mountains where the most fragrant plants are said to grow.

Jasmine Tea: the origins of the drink

It seems that the Jasmine plant, belonging to the Oleaceae family, arrived in China from Persia between 206 and 220 AD, during the Han dynasty.

Only from the fifth century, however, it began to be used as a flavoring: the first production took place in the city of Fuzhou in the province of Fujian, a climatically suitable region for tea cultivation, in which Jasmine was also introduced.

However, it took more time for the Jasmine tea trend to spread: this happened during the Qing dynasty (1664-1912), in the same period in which tea began to be exported in large quantities to the West.

Since then, thanks to its sweet and delicate flavour, Jasmine Tea has enjoyed considerable success in the courts of Europe and, in England, it has become essential for the Afternoon Tea ritual.

How Jasmine tea is made

The Jasmine plant blooms in late Summer, for this reason the tea harvested in spring must be stored until that time of year. Jasmine flowers must be picked in the early hours of the day, at dawn, when the small petals are closed and hold the precious essential oils tightly.

Flowers are stored in a cool place until sunset and, during the night, they open and release their fragrance: this is the magical moment in which Jasmine Tea is produced.

There are two different methods for perfuming tea with Jasmine: the first requires the placement of tea and flowers in alternating layers; for the second one, however, the tea must be mixed with Jasmine flowers and left to "age".

It takes at least four hours for the tea leaves to absorb the special scent and aromas of Jasmine flowers, but our palates and sense of smell will be truly enjoy this wait!

The properties of Jasmine tea

In the Jasmine tea production process it is not only the aromas and tastes that are combined, but also the beneficial properties of the two plants. This beverage has a mild sedative and calming effect. Jasmine also contains small amounts of acetylsalicylic acid, the same contained in aspirin, which gives Jasmine tea analgesic properties.

The consumption of this tea helps to improve the appearance of the skin, detoxify the body and lower blood pressure; this tea is also effective against abdominal pain and swelling.

Finally, the scent of Jasmine, according to aromatherapy, has a harmonizing action on the psyche.

Now you just have to taste the green tea with Jasmine yourselves, if you haven't already done so, or maybe try an infusion such as Spring Infusion, with green tea, Jasmine, orange peel and an irresistible mix of aromas.