Jasmine tea, what is it?
Most of the tea drinkers have more likely heard of ‘Jasmine tea’ than ‘jasmine green tea’. This is how it works.
The original and most traditional tea drinkers, the Chinese, have always been reluctant to blend their premium teas (similar to premium wines in this regard, the delicate texture and flavours are to be explored and enjoyed on their own.) Only the relatively lower grade teas, such as broken leaves or tea dust, are used for blending.
One ingredient however has long been noticed to somehow co-exist harmoniously with certain teas and this is the jasmine perfume/blossom. With their gentle and elegant perfume, limited amount can enhance certain unfermented teas (green teas) to yield a gently sweet flavour.
Are all Jasmine teas the same?
Like all other premium teas’ production this is done through skilful processing: carefully selected green teas, high quality jasmine blossoms, tightly controlled processing steps and the adequate storage of the product at the end. A high quality Jasmine green tea is a delicacy among Chinese teas, especially for those who enjoyed the jasmine perfume.
Some clarifications:
- Jasmine teas are generally referring to jasmine scented teas (normally green teas). They are not teas made of Jasmine blossoms or leaves.
- They are various quality grades of Jasmine teas, just like other Chinese teas. They could be made of low quality tea leaves and jasmine blossoms, or fresh high quality tea leaves and jasmine blossoms. (Low quality products are also possible if the high quality ingredients are not processed adequately.)
- There is a fine balance of the amount of the jasmine blossoms used and the quantity of the tea leaves. The more does not necessary mean the better.