Tea – How is Jasmine Tea Different from Other Teas?
December 21, 2010
If you’re a tea drinker, it’s likely that you’ve tried jasmine tea. Jasmine tea is the most popular blend of Chinese tea, and has been produced for more than 700 years. It was first produced during the Sung dynasty, by plucking the jasmine leaves as soon as they begin to bloom.
The freshly plucked jasmine leaves were stored in a cool place until nightfall, when the blossoms began to release their fragrance. Then the jasmine petals were added to dry heaps of tea leaves, to allow the dry tea leaves to absorb the fragrance. Ordinary grades were scented two or three times; the special grades even more. Today, the process is much the same, though it may not be carried out by hand these days.
The best jasmine tea is said to come from the Fujian province in China. This is because this area of China produces the largest and heaviest scented jasmine leaves and some of the loosest tea leaves, which can absorb the jasmine fragrance better. Like with most other teas, the first pluckings in the spring produce the very best jasmine tea because the tea leaves are so tender. In fact, jasmine tea produced from the first pluckings of the tea leaves is sometimes referred to as “Spring Breeze” jasmine tea.
Jasmine tea has been the favorite tea of those in northern China for many years, but has gained favor all over the world in more recent years. There are some interesting facts and differences about jasmine tea.
- It was believed to have spiritual powers – One of the reasons that jasmine tea became so popular came from the belief that the tea held special spiritual powers. This made it a favorite for tea ceremonies.
- Jasmine tea can be made from green, oolong, white and black tea – You can find jasmine tea in your favorite variety of tea, whether green, black, oolong or white. Most jasmine tea is made with green tea, but it is possible to find other varieties.
So, if you’re in the market for jasmine tea, which should you choose?
Well, of course, it depends upon your tastes. It’s likely that your favorite jasmine tea will be the one that’s combined with your favorite tea to drink plain. But, you should experiment with other forms of jasmine tea. You may find that other teas that don’t really appeal to you in their plainest form are very appealing when combined with jasmine. Here are some characteristics of the different varieties of jasmine tea.
Jasmine Green Tea – This is the most common form of Jasmine tea. Jasmine green tea is one of the healthiest ways to drink jasmine tea. Jasmine green tea has a very natural and light flavor, with the plant taste of green tea complemented by the sweet and fragrant jasmine blossoms. What makes jasmine green tea so healthy is that it retains the tea’s anti-oxidants in their most natural form, because the tea is not fermented. These natural anti-oxidants protect our health by neutralizing the free radicals in our bodies. These free radicals, which are created during our digestive process, can damage our cells and DNA if we don’t keep them in check. A diet rich in anti-oxidants like those found in green and white tea keeps these free radicals under control.
Oolong Jasmine Tea – Oolong jasmine tea is likely the second most common form of green tea. Oolong teas are semi-fermented, meaning that they are fermented for a shorter period of time than black teas. To produce a oolong tea, fermentation must be stopped when the leaves are 30% red and 70% green. It is the ability to stop the fermentation at precisely the right time that gives oolong teas their distinct flavor. Most oolong teas are dried using charcoal, giving it another distinct dimension. Oolong jasmine teas are smooth with the fruity taste that is common in oolong tea. However, the jasmine also makes the tea fragrant and sweet.
White Jasmine Tea – The combination of light and sweet white tea with fragrant jasmine makes for a very delicate flavor. As white tea gains popularity in the Western world, it’s likely that white jasmine tea will become easier to find. Because white tea, like green tea, is unfermented, you’ll gain the same health benefits from drinking white tea that green tea provides.
Black Jasmine Tea – While black tea is the most common variety of tea consumed in the Western world, it is the tea least commonly combined with jasmine. Black tea is bolder and stronger than green and white teas, so the jasmine is not as prominent in the flavor or aroma.
Regardless of the variety of tea you choose, it’s likely you’ll find that the addition of jasmine is a true delight. Most tea drinkers find the scent of jasmine tea very soothing, making it a great tea to enjoy in the evening.
You’re certain to want to sample many varieties of jasmine tea to determine your favorites. If you love the fragrance and sweetness of jasmine combined with tea as much as I do, you’ll have a favorite jasmine tea from every tea variety available!
Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, wholesale tea [http://www.goldenmoontea.com/WholesaleTea] and black tea [http://www.goldenmoontea.com/blacktea] go to goldenmoontea.com
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Where Did Tea Came from and What are Its Varieties?
December 6, 2010
All types of teas basically come from one essential plant, which is called the Camellia sinensis. What makes them different is the location and geography of the place where the plant grew, the growing conditions of the plant, the way the teas were processed.
This plant, the Camellia sinensis, can usually be found in Asia, but because tea has become a very popular beverage, the seeds of the plant have reached numerous countries. Now, they are being grown not only in the Asian countries but also in the tropical countries as well as the subtropical areas. Right now, there are more than 3,000 varieties of tea leaves that are being grown all over the world to supply the increasing demand of the society. For the benefit of simplicity though, tea leaves are basically categorized into five major categories.
Black tea means that the tea leaves were allowed to fully dry up before being processed. Full oxidation process takes place during the production of black teas. Green tea, on the other hand, means that the leaves were allowed to partially dry up before they were picked and then subjected to rapid heating. Here, no full oxidation process takes place as the process was suddenly stopped by the rapid heating. Green tea contains a lesser amount of caffeine content than black teas do, but there are more flavors and undertones in green teas than in black teas.
In creating oolong tea, partial oxidation process is allowed to take place. This allows the oolong tea to have a caffeine content somewhere between that of the two former types of teas, and the partial oxidation process also lends the oolong tea a more delicate flavor with intriguing undertones like that of flowers and fruits.
White tea, on the other hand, does not go through any oxidation process as the youngest shoots are handpicked before they fully mature. This gives them a very subtle flavor that not only gives a hint of complex undertones but also gives off a very natural sweetness. White teas contain the least amount of caffeine.
The most prized type of tea is the Puerh and is a form of aged black tea. The process and production of Puerh tea is a well-kept secret by the country of China, but those that have tasted this intriguing type of tea describe of a very unique taste. The flavor of Puerh tea is very rich and deep, with earthy flavors, and there is no bitterness to this type of tea.
These are the basic five types of tea out in the market right now. They may come from the same type of plant, but they differ greatly in the way they taste, depending upon the process and where they were grown.
