The Secret of Jasmine Tea: A Fragrant Journey into Chinese Traditions

Sep 27

4 min read

Some teas are meant to be savored, while others tell a story. Jasmine tea belongs to the latter, a delicate creation where every cup invites you to travel.

Rooted in an ancient Chinese tradition, jasmine tea combines the fresh, vegetal character of green tea with the delicate fragrance of jasmine flowers. Yet behind this soft and floral cup lies a meticulous process built on patience and on the unique relationship between leaf and flower.

Our Jasmine Green Tea, made with jasmine flowers from China, is inspired by this long-standing tradition. So, what makes jasmine tea so special?

Jasmine: A Precious Fragrant Flower

For centuries, jasmine has held a special place in Asian cultures. In China, its delicate fragrance is often associated with harmony, beauty, and a refined way of life.

But when it comes to scenting tea, timing is everything. Jasmine flowers must be picked at the precise moment when their fragrance is beginning to develop.

The flowers are generally harvested in the middle of the afternoon, while they are still closed and gradually beginning to open as evening approaches. They are then left to rest for around three to four hours. During this time, the flowers continue to bloom while gradually cooling down before coming into contact with the tea leaves.

This is when the true secret of jasmine tea begins.

It All Starts with Green Tea

Before becoming jasmine tea, the tea is first and foremost a green tea.

For high-quality teas, the leaves are harvested in spring, from April onwards depending on the region. They are then processed using different methods, some of which preserve traditional and artisanal techniques passed down through generations.

Green tea is a non-oxidized tea. After harvesting, the leaves are quickly heated to prevent or limit oxidation. They are then rolled, dried, sorted, and packaged.

The green tea can then be stored for several months, waiting for jasmine season.

The Art of Naturally Scenting Tea

Once the jasmine flowers are ready, they are brought into contact with the dried green tea leaves.

Traditionally, the leaves and flowers are arranged in several layers and left together for around ten hours. As they come into contact with the tea leaves, the fresh flowers gradually release their aromatic compounds, allowing the tea to naturally absorb their fragrance.

This process requires constant attention. The mixture is regularly turned to control the temperature that develops within the layers and to encourage an even distribution of the floral aroma.

For the finest jasmine teas, this process can be repeated up to seven times, using a fresh batch of jasmine flowers for each cycle.

The amount of flowers required is remarkable: producing around 100 kg of high-quality jasmine tea can require nearly 280 kg of fresh jasmine flowers when the scenting process is repeated seven times.

Carefully Removing the Flowers

After each scenting cycle, the flowers are separated from the tea leaves. For the most carefully crafted teas, they may even be removed one by one by hand.

By this stage, the flowers have already transferred their fragrance to the tea and do not necessarily need to remain among the leaves. Removing them helps preserve the delicate character of the infusion and prevents unwanted notes or bitterness from affecting the final taste.

The fragrance in the cup is therefore the result of a long and careful process: the flowers give the tea their aromatic character, while the green tea retains its own personality.

A Tea That Invites You to Travel

Jasmine originated in Asia, but its fragrance has travelled far beyond its native lands. Today, it can be found in gardens across the Middle East and the Mediterranean, all the way to Andalusia, where its scent still accompanies historic streets and gardens.

It was during a stay in Spain, while walking through the streets of Málaga, that the fragrance of jasmine particularly stayed with me. Carried by the warm air, almost invisible yet instantly recognizable, it created a feeling of softness and escape.

That experience naturally resonated with the world of jasmine tea: a flower, a fragrance, and a travel memory brought together in a single cup.

Through our jasmine green tea, we want to share more than simply a beverage: a suspended moment between Chinese traditions and memories of travel.

How to Prepare Your Jasmine Green Tea

Water temperature: 75°C
Steeping time: 2–3 minutes
Amount: 1 teaspoon per cup

We recommend using mineral or lightly filtered water to preserve the tea's delicate aromatic qualities.

When temperatures rise, our jasmine green tea can also be enjoyed iced. Brewed and then chilled, it reveals the finesse of its floral notes while offering a delicate freshness, perfect for warm days or simply whenever you feel like something refreshing. Its soft and elegant fragrance makes it an ideal base for a refined and refreshing iced tea.

For more tea tips, discover our articles: How to Preserve the Freshness of Your Tea and Mastering Tea Brewing Techniques for Optimal Flavor.

Why Choose Our Jasmine Green Tea?

We chose a jasmine green tea inspired by Chinese traditions, where jasmine flowers from China bring a naturally elegant floral signature.

Each cup reveals a delicate balance between the freshness of green tea and the soft floral notes of jasmine, a refined experience and a true invitation to travel.

Discover the delicate fragrance of jasmine in our tea gift boxes or enjoy it as an individual tea pouch.