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Updated: Apr. 10, 2012
Jasmine tea has a floral aroma that is sometimes described as perfume-like.
An overwhelming majority of jasmine tea originates in China, although small amounts are produced in other countries. Although it originated in China and is usually associated with Chinese tea culture, jasmine tea is one of the most well-known of the traditional scented teas, and is popular in western countries as well.
Rather than listing jasmine teas under the headings of flavored green, black, etc. teas, RateTea lists all jasmine teas under this category or sub-categories because they tend to have much more in common with each other aroma-wise than they do with their "base" teas.
Jasmine Tea
Wikipedia: Jasmine_tea | Teaviews: jasmine-teaUpdated: Apr. 10, 2012
About Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea, in Chinese mòlì huāchá(茉莉花茶), is a scented tea produced by mixing the leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) with jasmine blossoms (Jasminum sp.). Jasmine tea is frequently made out of green tea or pouchong (bao zhong) tea, although it can be made of black tea or white tea as well. Often Jasmine pouchong is sold or labeled as jasmine green tea.
Jasmine tea has a floral aroma that is sometimes described as perfume-like.
An overwhelming majority of jasmine tea originates in China, although small amounts are produced in other countries. Although it originated in China and is usually associated with Chinese tea culture, jasmine tea is one of the most well-known of the traditional scented teas, and is popular in western countries as well.
Traditionally-scented jasmine tea:
Tea connoisseurs and specialty tea companies make an important distinction between traditionally scented jasmine tea and modern "shortcut" methods. Traditionally, jasmine tea is produced by placing jasmine blossoms together with the tea leaf in a closed area, shortly after the blossoms open. After most of the aroma has left the blossoms, these blossoms are removed, and new, fresh blossoms are added. The number of scentings differs greatly from tea to tea; because this process is time-consuming and labor intensive, it greatly adds to the cost of the tea. Some high grades of jasmine use as many as 7 or more scentings in their production. In contrast, some tea companies just add an oil or extract to the leaves of the jasmine plant. If this oil is naturally produced (or even organic), the resulting jasmine tea will be considered all natural (or organic) by western standards, but such teas have been produced by a shortcut, from the perspective of traditional processing methods.Rather than listing jasmine teas under the headings of flavored green, black, etc. teas, RateTea lists all jasmine teas under this category or sub-categories because they tend to have much more in common with each other aroma-wise than they do with their "base" teas.
Health benefits and effects specific to jasmine tea:
Some studies have examined the health effects of jasmine tea or chemicals isolated from jasmine tea. However, most of these studies have focused on the catechins, antioxidants originating in the tea plant, and not the jasmine flowers. One study, however, examined the aroma of jasmine tea and found that it had a sedative effect. The odor of jasmine tea was compared to lavender, a scent known to also promote relaxation, and found to have a similar effect. The chemical, (R)-(–)-linalool, originating in the jasmine plant, was found to be responsible for some of these effects. [1]References:
1. Kyoko Kuroda et. al. Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood states, European Journal of Applied Physiology, .Vol. 95, No. 2-3 (2005).
Further Reading:
Traditional processing of Jasmine Green Tea - Life in Teacup, Nov. 8, 2010.
Varieties, Kinds, or Types of Jasmine Tea
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Best Jasmine Tea
The notion of the "best" Jasmine Tea is subjective, because different people have different tastes. We present the most often-rated and highest-rated teas in this category, and allow you to draw your own conclusions.
Most Often-Rated Teas: Jasmine Petal
96 5 Ratings  China Jasmine Green Tea
11 4 Ratings  Organic Jasmine Green Tea
92 4 Ratings  Dragon Pearl Jasmine
89 3 Ratings  Jasmine Green Tea
2 Ratings | Top-Rated Teas:Jasmine Petal
96 5 Ratings Organic Jasmine Green Tea
92 4 Ratings Dragon Pearl Jasmine
89 3 Ratings China Jasmine Green Tea
11 4 Ratings |