A Look at Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is a delicate yet bold tea. It has flowery, sweet and light undertones while packing a punch of caffeine. This tea is unique in the way it is processed as well as the taste. It is a highly sought after tea in many areas of the world.

Jasmine tea can be traced back at least 700 years to the Sung dynasty and Chinese province of Hunan. It is generally grown, processed and exported from China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Jasmine tea is one of the world's most popular Chinese teas. It is made from a special process of layering green tea with jasmine flowers during the drying process. An oolong base may also be used. This infuses the taste of the jasmine blossoms into the tea. This special process can only be done during the evening when the jasmine flowers bloom. This process is repeated numerous times for the best and strongest tasting jasmine tea. The sweet blooms give this green tea a taste like no other. It is simply divine.

Jasmine tea can be purchase loose, in tea bag form or as a brick. You can also find magnificent blooming jasmine teas. These types of teas are attractive to look at and make great centerpieces for a tea party or celebration while being functional at the same time. Jasmine tea is very strong and you should only need a pinch of the loose tea per cup. Most tea bags are very strong and can be reused several times. Be sure not to leave your teabag in your cup steeping too long or it may be too strong. It should also be noted that loose tea is always preferred over bagged. Bagged teas contain the processed plant dregs quite literally. Loose tea is of much higher quality as it made from the whole plant and is usually semi whole.

Like most teas, green tea is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body protect itself from free radicals. Free radicals are things such as ultraviolet rays, pollution, pesticides and more. Drinking things like jasmine tea can help the body fight off free radicals and protect the cells in the body. Some say it can help prevent cancer, though more research is needed to verify this or how in fact tea can help protect the body. Green tea is also said to help women trying to conceive to become pregnant sooner. Green tea also is touted to contain the most antioxidants over black teas.

Jasmine tea can be purchased in some grocery stores and specialty tea shops. It is best to buy your jasmine tea from somewhere where it hasn't been sitting on the shelf for a long time. Fresher is better when it comes to tea. Jasmine tea is a bit pricier than normal black teas but it is worth the price. Next time you are looking for something different in tea try jasmine.