Every so often something comes along that makes you happy to be alive. For us, Jasmine tea – and specifically Anhui Province Jasmine green tea - is one such thing.
The unmistakeable scent of Jasmine blossoms can stop you in your tracks. When blended with tea they makes a delicious, sweet, fruity, delicate drink. The process is however far from simple. The blossoms are harvested first thing in the morning , when the petals are tightly closed. Because the fragrance is most intense at night, they are then stored in a cool place during the day. The following evening, they are mixed with the dry tea leaves in a special machine that uses slightly warm air to transfer the scent from the flowers to the tea. This process is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the required quality – sometimes as many as 7. Once the flavour is right, the tea is fired again to dry off the moisture it has absorbed from the flowers. Some of the dry Jasmine flowers are sometimes mixed with the tea at this stage (as they are for this China Green Jasmine).
Jasmine is believed to have many health benefits. It is used as an anti-depressant (especially for post-natal depression), as it is reputed to lift mood and to have an energising effect. It is also traditionally used to ease childbirth, soothe coughs and relax muscle pains. Jasmine is commonly used in China to improve irritable, dry or greasy skin and to reduce stretch marks.
To enjoy at its best China Jasmine requires rather light, careful infusion. Use one teaspoon per person and don’t be too generous. Pour on fresh water that has been boiled and then allowed to cool for 2 mins. Leave about 2 minutes to infuse; any longer and you will spoil the amazing Jasmine flavour and sweetness with bitter notes (in which case start again with the same leaves). Drink on its own without milk or sugar. Jasmine tea will provide a second and even a third brewing of excellent tea from the same leaves, which will have less caffeine and subtly different flavours.
If you love China Green Jasmine you will probably also enjoy some of our other aromatic flower teas, such as the wonderful Formosa Orange Blossom Oolong. We also recommend you try, if you have not yet done so, the Green Earl Grey, a lovely green tea flavoured with Italian Bergamot oil.
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(loose-leaf green tea)
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