Jasmine Green Tea is different from regular Jasmine Green Tea benefits in that it is both a leaf and the blossom of the flower. Jasmine is cultivated widely for its beautiful flowers. Over 200 species are known, each with fragrant white, yellow, or red flowers.
The jasmine plant was brought to China from Persia sometime in the third century AD but never became popular there until about 1000 years ago. Yin Hao is considered the finest jasmine tea. Other popular versions are Xiang Pian, Dragon Phoenix Pearl, and Mo Li Hua Cha, the latter being possibly the most popular scented tea worldwide.
Making jasmine green tea is a long process. It starts with a Chinese green tea for a base, preferably oolong or pouching. Some even prefer a black tea base. In April and May the leaves are picked, processed, and kept dry for four months until the jasmine flowers bloom in August and September.
The flowers are gathered when they are fully open, either at midnight or early in the morning. Then they are placed with the tea so that the scent of the flower can be absorbed over the next four hours. The flowers are then removed. This will be repeated from two to seven times over a month’s processing before the tea is ready for sale. Grading of the tea is determined by how many scentings the tea has gotten over a month. Low grade is 2-3 scentings. Higher grades will use seven scentings over the month.
Most green teas with jasmine contain a significant amount of polyphenols, plant-based substances that have proven to have anticancer, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This helps prevent certain cancers and slows aging by eliminating free radicals. Jasmine is good for diabetes prevention and reducing high blood pressure. It is believed to prevent strokes, heart attacks, thrombosis, and arterial sclerosis.
One of the Jasmine Green Tea is to improve intestine conditions by blocking the development and growth of bad bacteria and by strengthening good bacteria. It also helps to reduce the risk of blood clots, to prevent allergy and flu, to reduce blood sugar, to keep fluid balance, to boost the immune system, and to provide oral health and fluoride that helps prevent dental cavities.
In addition, jasmine tea gargled is an effective way to fight influenza because of its ability to fight viruses. Jasmine green tea also helps with the consequences of food poisoning, including piccoli (causing gastric ulcers), cholera, and dysentery.
Jasmine is also known as an effective anti-depressant, helping with problems such as post-natal depression and menopause problems. It has also been used to help in childbirth and milk production. Jasmine tea can help relieve chronic back pain, muscle and joint pain, and is even considered a romantic enhancer. One wonders if the woman in Proverbs 7 decked her bed with jasmine flowers.
Recent studies show that jasmine tea can be used to lose weight. The presence of jasmine in the tea caused the ones drinking it to lose more weight than those simply drinking oolong tea. Some believe the presence of catechins in the jasmine cause the body to burn calories faster and decrease body fat.
You can purchase jasmine already mixed in the green tea. Simply steep about one teaspoon of tea in two cups of water near boiling temperature for two minutes. You can do this up to three times before discarding it. Drink at least four cups of this a day. This tea may be served with strongly flavored foods or, if you like, it may be served alone. It is good with vegetarian dishes, curries, and chicken and fish. A good quality jasmine green tea will work beautifully with soft cheeses with pressed flowers, with fruit and flower salads, or with desserts made with flowers.