Jasmine is a flower, a beautiful white flower. There are several varieties of jasmine.
Jasmine is delicate and beautiful. I’ve created many bridal bouquets with the accent of Jasmine flowers. The scent of Jasmine is recognizable in the floral industry. This is because of its powerful floral scent. You know when you smell jasmine. The scent is the same in the tea industry. Jasmine is very well known as one tea but, it’s not the only time jasmine is consumed as a tea. Adding an herb, flower, or spice to a tea enhances the flavor, but it also increases the health benefits as well. Jasmine tea and its health benefits are a strong force to have in your cup. Let’s dive in.
What is and what isn’t Jasmine tea
What is Jasmine tea?
The jasmine plant itself came from India during the Han Dynasty. It grew in popularity once it reached China during the Ming dynasty in the 16th century. The Ming dynasty is known for its love of floral, anything floral. Floral art, food, and tea. Through the Qing dynasty, Jasmine tea began exportation to the west. Soon after the world fell in love with jasmine tea and never stopped.
Jasmine’s official name is jasmine (Jasminum officinale). It’s floral scent is recognizable. It’s gentle and refreshing. Jasmine itself is caffeine-free. The scent alone is refreshing and enjoyed as well as consumed. The taste of jasmine is floral and somewhat sweet and delicate.
Jasmine tea is a tisane that is an herbal infused tea. Generally, this tea’s infused with the essence of the Jasmine flower. At times it could be an essential oil that’s been used. I am not a proponent of a tea that is flavored with oil. However, Jasmine tea may be one of them.
Jasmine’s used to flavor green tea but has also been used with white teas and oolong as well. There are a few different green tea grades that can be used with the jasmine flower. The best combination would be a larger ratio of tea buds to tea leaves. These have a subtle and delicate flavor than those made with larger tea leaves.
The most common jasmine tea is Jasmine pearl. This is a small round ball of two buds and often a leaf. The leaves are infused with jasmine rolled into a ball. There is also a flowering tea that has jasmine flowers. The jasmine is tied in the middle of a few tea leaves. Once water is added the ball unwinds to expose the beautiful flower hidden inside.
What Jasmine tea is not:
Many people will say that jasmine is a tea and not an herbal. Jasmine is a flower and its essence is what’s used to create the tea. I can see how the tea is not an herbal because just the essence is what’s used and not the plant. Jasmine is not tea. But, it’s used in creating one of the most loved teas.
How is Jasmine tea scented
The tea leaves are picked and processed. During the processing is where the jasmine comes into play.
There are two way to do this:
The first process is what is best. It is time-consuming and expensive. Fresh jasmine flowers are placed on a tray below the tea leaves and left in a warm room. The flowers are replaced often with new fresh jasmine flowers. By replacing the flowers it allows more essence to impart on the tea leaves. This is an expensive process. The tea leaves are dried and packaged.
This process is the easiest and cheapest way to infuse the tea leaves. This follows the first process in using the discarded and wilted jasmine flowers. The jasmine flowers are left to wilt after being processed with the green leaf in the first process. The first processing allows the jasmine scent to be imparted into the green tea. This process takes those same jasmine flowers and puts them with the tea leaves, mixing them up. Then the Jasmine flowers are removed. Some may be left behind. The green tea is then processed and packaged for sale.
There is another way to scent the tea leaves. This is not a favorite of mine and one of the reasons why I am adamant about reading ingredients. This way is using an essential oil, a natural flavor or artificial jasmine flavor. This tea is of a lesser grade and not considered a superior tea.
Benefits of Jasmine
Jasmine in itself is a potent herb. This goes without saying. Look how it’s essence scents a tea leaf. Without touching the leaf its essence is shared. To find the health benefits of green tea click HERE.
Antioxidant – Adding an antioxidant to your body helps fight against free radicals and the damage they cause. These free radicals can cause disease and sickness and several types of cancer. Jasmine tea also contains polyphenols called catechins. One very powerful one is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has many benefits including improved blood sugar, oral health, heart health, and healthy weight loss.
Stress – The scent of jasmine is relaxing. Taking some time to inhale the fragrance and relax. Breathe in and just close your eyes. Appreciate this moment with gratefulness. When breathing in the body has a natural response to relapse chemicals that cause the body to relax and improve your mood.
Cancer aid – The antioxidants that fight cell damage can help fight against cancer cells being formed. There are several studies showing the benefit of green tea in the battle against certain cancers. While these studies are showing good results, more in-depth studies need to be done to conclude anything concrete.
Diabetes – When your body cannot produce enough insulin to balance your sugar levels it’s called Type 2 diabetes. The green tea in jasmine tea helps your body create more insulin. When the body has more insulin it can help balance out the higher sugar levels.
Oral Health – Catechins are also polyphenols that help prevent tooth decay. These catechins kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. These polyphenols neutralize the bacteria. By killing that bacteria it also calms bad breath.
Heart health – As with many of the properties of tea, jasmine tea is no different. The catechins, theaflavins, and flavonoids all work together to lower bad cholesterol levels and raise good cholesterol. It’s also beneficial for the blood vessel walls. Looking for a healthy drink choice, look no further than jasmine tea.
Immune system – When the body is sick it’s compromised. The body is weak and the cells are working overtime to heal and protect. The body is at risk of more damage when the cells are working overtime to fight one thing then another. When the body is under attack whether it is a cold, cancer, or anything else jasmine tea fights back. The antioxidants that fight and protect the cells secure the body against anything foreign.
Arthritis – Jasmine tea is anti-inflammatory, Being so it helps reduce inflammation that can cause the aches and pains of joints. It can also reduce swelling by fighting cellular oxygenation.
Gastrointestinal – When you are working on your diet or already eat in a healthy manner jasmine tea can aid your system. Jasmine tea is a positive force for gastrointestinal issues. Jasmine tea can also aid in proper bowel functions.
I’ve done a segment on Jasmine HERE in my Tea in a Minute series on YouTube. It was fun to fit the benefits of many teas and herbs into one-minute videos. Check it out.
Tea and weight loss
The inaugural Chicago International Tea Festival opened my eyes to the world of Japanese tea. We were honored to have many dignitaries from Japan and their teas. I overheard one Japanese tea farmer speak on Japanese green tea and weight loss.
He said: “I hear Americans talk all the time about losing weight drinking green tea. It’s not true. You will not lose weight by drinking tea. It’s not a magic weight loss drink, it’s a healthy drink with lots of benefits. What green tea does is increase the metabolism, get you moving. If you move more, eat less you will lose weight but green tea is not going to be your miracle weight loss.”
I wanted to hug him. He said what I have been saying for a long time. I avoid putting that as a health benefit in any of my articles.
Green tea is healthy and beneficial. It’s also a great drink to consume while you are on a weight loss journey. But, never think that by not changing your diet or your movement that by drinking a drink you will lose weight. It’s not going to happen unless all you are doing is drinking green tea.
Downfalls and Drawbacks
Allergies – If you are allergic to Jasmine (or green tea) it is clear to stay away from jasmine tea. While some say it is okay to drink the green tea infused with the scent, I’d be cautious and do a test before diving in.
Pregnancy – Always advised to seek medical advice when pregnant and drinking any tea or her.
Stomach issues – Drinking jasmine tea on an empty stomach can increase acidity and cause stomach upset or discomfort.
Catechins – the same good catechins that help our body can also help restrict the amount of iron that gets into our bloodstream and may cause anemia.
Moderation – as with all things, moderation should be observed with drinking jasmine tea.
Conclusions
All things good and all things in moderation. The taste of jasmine in tea draws you right in. I first think of the meditative properties by simply inhaling jasmine. Then sipping and tasting jasmine intertwined with your tea. What an incredible feeling. Breathing in freshness then being able to taste it. After that, it’s all the silent things going on inside your body. One cannot deny the health benefits of jasmine tea.
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