Jasmine tea / 茉莉花茶


Jasmine tea (Chinese: 茉莉花茶; pinyin: mòlìhuā chá) is tea with added jasmine flowers. It originates from the time of the Song Dynasty (960–1279). Normally, jasmine tea is based on green tea or white tea. The resulting flavor of jasmine tea is subtly sweet. It is the most famous scented tea in China.[1]

Tea scented with jasmine flowers has been a specialty in China since the Song Dynasty ruled over 800 years ago. The Jasmine plant is believed to have been brought to the world from China sometime during the Period of Disunity (220-589).[1]

The jasmine plant is grown at high elevation in the mountains. The jasmine tea produced in Fujian province, China enjoys the best reputation.[2] Jasmine tea is also produced in Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Zhejiang provinces.[1]

Contents

[hide]
1 Preparation
2 Cultural uses
3 See also
4 References
[edit] Preparation

It is harvested in the spring and stored until early summer when fresh Jasmine flowers are in bloom. Jasmine flowers are picked early in the day when the small petals are tightly closed. The flowers are kept cool until nightfall. In the early evening when the flowers begin to open, the tea is blended with the Jasmine flowers and stored overnight. The night blooming Jasmine flowers then open and release their fragrance into the tea. It takes over four hours for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavor of the jasmine blossoms; this process may be repeated for as many as six or seven times. The tea absorbs moisture from the fresh Jasmine flowers so it must be re-fired to prevent spoilage.

[edit] Cultural uses

In northern China it is customary to serve Jasmine tea as a welcoming gesture to guests.[1]

[edit] See also

Jasmine species commonly used as an ingredients for Jasmine tea:

Jasminum officinale - the Common Jasmine
Jasminum sambac - the Sampaguita
[edit] References

^ a b c d Lou, Mary, and Robert J. The story of tea: a cultural history and drinking guide. Ten Speed Pr, 2007. Retrieved Oct. 23, 2010, from [1]
^ Gong, Wen. Lifestyle in China. 五洲传播出版社, 2007. Retrieved Oct. 23, 2010, from [2]

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine_tea