Benefits of jasmine tea
Some of the benefits of jasmine tea include aiding calm, improving mental clarity, and boosting your immune system. Jasmine tea contains benefits both from the scent of the aromatic jasmine blossoms as well as from the camellia sinensis tea base. White tea, green tea, and black tea all also contain unique benefits.
1. Calming and relaxing
Tea scented with jasmine has been shown to have a calming, sedative effect that can help you to relax. Green, white, and black teas also contain l-theanine, a unique compound present in tea that can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
2. Improves mental clarity and alertness
Jasmine tea has also been shown to help increase alertness and attention. Black tea, white tea, and green tea also contain a mild to moderate amount of caffeine, which can help to increase energy and boost brain power.
3. Boosts immune system
Green tea can help to boost your immune system and keep you healthy. These teas contain catechins that can ward off illnesses like the flu and the common cold.
4. Reduces inflammation
Black, green, and white teas have also been shown to help reduce inflammation. A soothing cup of jasmine tea can provide relief from temporary aches and pains, as well as chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
5. Aids in digestion
Drinking jasmine tea can also aid in digestion and help soothe stomach troubles. A cup of tea is a great way to help soothe an upset stomach while also staying hydrated.
6. High in antioxidants
All tea made from the camellia sinensis plant is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants work to reduce harmful free radicals in the body and promote cellular health. They can also help to prevent certain types of cancer.
How jasmine tea is made
While some jasmine teas are made by blending jasmine flowers with loose leaf tea, premium jasmine teas are only scented with fresh jasmine blossoms, which adds a floral aroma to the tea. Jasmine teas are known for being especially fragrant, and are often of extremely high quality.
Tea harvested and processed in the spring and early summer is stored until the jasmine flowers are in bloom, usually around mid to late summer. The highest quality jasmine teas are scented by laying a tray of jasmine blossoms underneath a tray of tea leaves overnight, when the jasmine blossoms are at their most fragrant. The blossoms will often be replaced several times over the course of the scenting process. After the tea has been scented, it is dried and packaged.
Jasmine tea may also be scented by blending jasmine blossoms directly with loose leaf tea, then sifting the jasmine blossoms out of the tea. While this also results in a scented floral tea, tea made using this method is usually considered to be of lesser quality.
Jasmine tea history
Jasmine tea is closely associated with the city of Fuzhou in China. Jasmine was introduced to China during the Han dynasty, and was first used to scent tea soon after. The jasmine flower is considered one of the holy flowers in Buddhism, and has religious and cultural significance throughout Asia. Jasmine tea is also closely associated with its medicinal uses, and with a meditative ritual of preparation known as the Gongfu tea ceremony.
Does jasmine tea have caffeine?
The short answer is yes, most jasmine teas have caffeine. However, the caffeine level of these teas varies depending on what kind of tea is used as the base. White tea tends to be low in caffeine, green tea tends to have a moderate amount of caffeine, and black tea tends to be relatively high in caffeine, containing about half as much as a cup of coffee. Even within particular categories of tea, however, it can be hard to predict or measure just how much caffeine will be present in a brewed cup of tea. Caffeine levels are influenced by factors including:
- Tea varietal - Teas produced from the camellia sinensis var. assamica varietal, like Vanilla Velvet, tend to be higher in caffeine than teas produced from the camellia sinensis var. sinensis varietal, like Jasmine Yin Cloud or Jasmine Silver Needle.
- When the leaves are harvested - Leaves harvested in the spring, like silver tips teas, tend to be higher in caffeine than teas harvested later in the year. Jasmine Silver Needle is a good example of a silver tip tea with a higher caffeine content than many other white teas.
- How the leaves are processed - Processing also affects the caffeine level of certain teas. Whole leaf teas that undergo minimal processing may be slightly lower in caffeine than leaves that are broken or cut. For example, Vanilla Velvet is a broken leaf tea that is higher in caffeine than many full-leaf black teas.
- Amount of tea leaves - The more tea leaves you use when you brew up a cup, the higher the caffeine content will be. While we typically suggest using one teaspoon of tea leaves for every six ounces of water, you can play around with this ratio in order to suit your needs.
- Water temperature - Water temperature also affects the caffeine level present in tea, with tea brewed at hotter water temperatures containing more caffeine than tea brewed at cooler water temperatures. Since black tea tends to be brewed with boiling water, it usually has a higher caffeine level than most other types of tea.
- Steep time - Steep time is another important factor when it comes to caffeine level. The longer you steep your tea, the higher the caffeine content will be. Black teas tend to be brewed for longer, while green teas tend to be brewed for only a short period of time.
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you should be sure to enjoy caffeinated jasmine teas in the morning, and take it slow and see how you react to the caffeine present in the tea.
How to make jasmine tea
The right way to prepare jasmine tea depends on what kind of tea is being used as the base. White tea, green tea, and black tea all have different preparation instructions in order to brew up a tasty cup of tea. All ArtfulTea tea comes with detailed preparation instructions on the back of each package.
Jasmine green tea
To prepare jasmine green teas like Jasmine Yin Cloud, use one teaspoon for every six ounces of water in your pot or cup. Heat water until it is steaming but not boiling (about 175 to 180 degrees.) Infuse the tea leaves for one to two minutes, then enjoy! Be careful not to oversteep, as green tea can become bitter when brewed too long.
Jasmine white tea
To prepare jasmine white teas like Jasmine Silver Needle, use one heaping teaspoon for every six ounces of water in your pot or cup. Heat water until it is steaming briskly (approximately 180 degrees.) Infuse teas leaves for two to three minutes, then enjoy! Many white teas can be infused a second time for a milder, mellower cup.
Jasmine black tea
To prepare black teas flavored with jasmine like Vanilla Velvet, use one teaspoon of tea leaves for every six ounces of water in your pot or cup. Heat water to a full boil, then infuse your tea for three to five minutes. You can enjoy black tea on its own, or add a splash of milk and sweetener for a traditional English cuppa.
Jasmine milk tea
Jasmine tea is also a popular ingredient in milk tea and boba. To prepare jasmine milk tea, prepare your base tea using the instructions above, infusing your tea leaves until the tea is steeped. To enjoy your milk tea hot, add milk and sweetener right away for a sweet and milky treat. You can also add sweetener and then wait for your tea to chill before serving it over ice with milk and boba tapioca pearls.
Our jasmine teas
Here at ArtfulTea, we carry three different teas that are scented with or contain jasmine blossoms. Whether you’re looking for a classic jasmine green tea, a delicate jasmine silver tip tea, or a flavored black tea with floral notes, these three teas are a great introduction to the world of jasmine teas.
Jasmine Yin Cloud Green Tea
Jasmine Yin Cloud is a Chinese green tea scented with jasmine blossoms. This classic jasmine green tea features a medium body and aromatic floral notes, and is one of our most popular green teas. If you’re looking for a traditional jasmine green tea, our Jasmine Yin Cloud is a great choice!
Jasmine Silver Needle White Tea
Jasmine Silver Needle is a white tea of exceptional quality that is lightly scented with jasmine blossoms. This tea is made from Bai Hao silver needle tea leaves, which are the tips and buds harvested from the tea plants before they open. These downy silver, needle-like leaves are highly sought after for their delicate and mellow taste.
Vanilla Velvet Black Tea
Vanilla Velvet has a robust black tea base and is flavored with vanilla and blended with jasmine petals, sunflower, and calendula. This tea is an excellent introduction to jasmine teas for those who prefer black tea but are looking to try something new. It’s delicious on its own, but is also tasty with a splash of milk.
FAQs
What does jasmine tea taste like?
Jasmine imparts a light, floral, slightly sweet note to any tea scented with these aromatic flowers. Depending on the tea base, jasmine tea may be light and delicate or full-bodied and fragrant.
Is jasmine tea green tea?
Jasmine green tea is one of the most popular types of jasmine tea, but it’s not the only one. Jasmine may also be used to scent white teas, black teas, or other types of tea.
Does jasmine tea help you sleep?
Jasmine contains soothing, stress-relieving properties that can help you unwind. However, most jasmine tea blends still contain caffeine, meaning that this tea may not be the best choice if you’re trying to fall asleep.
Does jasmine tea have more caffeine than coffee?
Like most green teas, jasmine green tea contains significantly less caffeine than coffee. On average, jasmine green tea contains only about a quarter of the caffeine present in a cup of coffee.
