A Whiff of the
Exotic - Jasmine Tea
Occurring in hues of
deep green, the jasmine leaves are imbued with the floral scent of
jasmine. This floral perfume is a slightly dry and mild smelling
one. It is suggested that jasmine tea be flavored with a little
bit of a sweetening agent.
Tea, whose origins can
be traced back to China, was actually made use of to lend a flavor
to their bland-tasting water. The tea plant was grown more than
5000 years back. It was the Americans, who came up with the
ingenious tea bag. While every single one of the tea plants comes
from the very same species, the differences in soils and climates
give rise to subtle changes in flavor.
Globally, China is the
leading tea producer. Tea requires a tropical environment with
plenty of rainfall in order to thrive.
In America as well as
worldwide, tea has attained the most favored status. In fact, in
certain areas, tea is mostly preferred to coffee. There are
numerous tearooms and tea cafes springing up all over the country,
which deal exclusively in a diverse range of teas.
Chinese green leaves,
which are imbued with the scent of jasmine flowers, are used in
the preparation of jasmine tea. These jasmine flowers are plucked
and kept in a cool spot. The flowers blossom during the night and
are then put on top of the tealeaves. Around 4 hours are required
for the aroma of the jasmines to permeate the tealeaves.
More than two hundred
species of jasmine plants exist. The flowers of these plants occur
in colors of yellow or white. They carry a sweet-smelling perfume.
It is believed that this sweet perfume heightens all the senses,
leaving one with just pleasing and calming thoughts.
Now, jasmine tealeaves
can be discovered in numerous places, which enjoy a tropical
climate and are at high altitudes. These jasmine leaves are widely
found all across the globe.
Jasmine teas come in
17 different varieties and belong to an exclusive category of teas
because of their distinctive smell. Jasmine tea derives its unique
taste from the perfumed flowers and not from any plants or oils.
Jasmine, popularly called “queen of flowers”, imparts its fragrant
perfume to add to the aroma and taste of this exotic tea.
Jasmine is believed to
have medicinal properties to treat depression as well as having
soothing qualities. It is an excellent remedy for dry skin.
The different kinds of
tea available are classified based on grade and color. People
belonging to the Middle Eastern countries prepare tea with water
and tealeaves; the use of tea bags in these countries is
negligible. People of these regions like taking their tea with
honey, sugar, lemon, mint, or apple flavor.
The Fujian province is
famous for the growing of the jasmine-flavored tea. It is in
spring that the tealeaves are carefully picked and rolled into the
shape of a ball by hand. Then they are stored until autumn.
Subsequently, the tealeaves are imbued with the scent of jasmine
and gently rolled into a tiny ball, the size of a pearl. Following
this, the tea is enveloped in silken mesh and then left to dry.
Tea is naturally
enriched with antioxidants and caffeine. It contains no
carbohydrates, cholesterol, or fat. So relish the unique flavor of
jasmine tea!
