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Though the origin of Jasmine Tea has been up for debate over many years, we are certain of one thing: it’s a crowd pleaser due to its intoxicating floral fragrance, mild flavor, and laundry list of potential health benefits. Most Jasmine teas found in your local grocery store fall into the green tea category, though, there are white, oolong, and black tea varieties out there for those not too keen on green. Aside from having a versatile base, what is it about Jasmine tea that makes us love it so much.
Jasmine is one of the more popular floral types of tea.
Jasmine for Aromatherapy
Jasmine is an intensely sweet-smelling vining flower or flowering shrub (depending on the species) and its scent has often been associated with femininity, romance, and stress relief. All of these qualities attribute to many religious and cultural ceremonies that celebrate this delicately delicious flower. Whether the flowers themselves have been dried and incorporated with green tea leaves or the essence of the flower has been extracted and added to green tea leaves, the aromatic effects are similar. So, if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed or just want to feel good, brew some Jasmine Tea and take in a deep breath before sipping. You’ll thank me later.
Antibacterial Agents
Since most Jasmine Teas have a green tea base, we can’t dismiss the health benefits that green tea lends; one being the polyphenols found in green tea. Polyphenols aren’t just antioxidants that aid in heart health, they also help fight off harmful bacteria that contributes to upset stomach and indigestion. Chances are if you introduce Jasmine Green Tea (or any green tea for that matter) to your daily diet, you’ll have a happy gut- and a happy heart, too!
Balanced Blood Sugar
We’re going to circle back to polyphenols for a minute cause they really are one of the biggest contributors when it comes to how awesome this Jasmine Tea is. One of the polyphenol types found in Jasmine Tea are called Flavonoids. Flavonoids enhance insulin secretion, regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase glucose uptake by cells. Most individuals in the western world struggle with balancing their blood sugar and I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to stay balanced.
Weight Loss
The afore-mentioned cause of polyphenols in Jasmine Tea lead us to the inevitable effect of weight loss for Jasmine Tea drinkers. When blood sugar is balanced and good bacteria is thriving in the gut, one is bound to shed a few unwanted inches from the waistline. But we mustn’t forget that weight loss isn’t all about diet- exercise is important, too! One of the biggest reasons why people choose not to exercise on a regular basis is due to lack of energy. Problem solved! Jasmine Green Tea contains 25 mg of caffeine per 8 ounce cup. That’s roughly a third of what an 8 ounce cup of coffee has to offer. A small amount of caffeine works wonders to get you up and moving around and it won’t dehydrate you the way coffee does. It is incredibly important to stay hydrated, especially when exercising.
Best Jasmine Tea Brew Methods
Now that we understand why we love Jasmine Tea so much, let’s get into the best way to brew it. Whether you’re brewing loose leaf or bagged tea, water temperature, tea leaf to water ratio, and steep times are the same. To get started on the perfect cup of Jasmine Tea, I recommend the following:
Electric Gooseneck Kettle
A gooseneck spout promotes a steady pour without any spillage. Gooseneck kettles can be found online and are fairly inexpensive if you opt for the non-electric ones. Though, many prefer electric in order to set the perfect temperature of 180F and for the water to heat up in seconds. Why 180F? Why not the boiling point of 212F? Jasmine Tea is very delicate and can be easily over-extracted, resulting in a bitter tasting tea.
Food Scale
Now, you might think a scale is a little overboard- but trust me on this. Tea leaf to water ratio can make or break your tea. For the perfect cup of Jasmine Tea, there’s typically 3 grams (about one teaspoon) of tea leaf to 8 ounces of water. You could always eyeball it, which is totally acceptable. Keep in mind that results may vary depending the type of tea you choose.
Timer
If you opt for an electric kettle and/or an electric scale, it will likely have a built in timer. For optimal Jasmine Tea extraction, steep no longer than 5 minutes. A common misconception is that a longer steep time will result in a stronger flavor. Tea steeped longer than 5 minutes will result in a bitter tasting tea.
Now, go forth and enjoy your jasmine tea!