Tuesday 22 March 2011

ABC Wednesday - Jasmine Tea

What was I going to post for J, I wondered while eating an apple cake at the Mystery Tea House as I  looked at my pot of tea, waiting for it to brew, and realised that there in front of me was the answer.  I was drinking an aromatic Jasmine Oolong tea, a combination of my favourites.  Jasmine tea dates way back to the Song  dynasty. Traditionally the night blooming jasmine is gathered in the morning and kept cool all day. In the evening when the flowers begins to open and release their scent they are placed with the tea.  Jasmine is most often combined with green teas so combined with Oolong is not as easily available in the UK.  Nowadays the process creating Jasmine tea is more mechanised.  The flowers and teas are mixed in machines that control temperature and humidity. It takes at least 4 hours for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavour of the jasmine blossom and for higher grades of tea the process can be repeated several times.
And it can end up looking like this, the small jasmine pearls and the large balls of blooming jasmine. Or perhaps combined with other flavours like rose and jasmine in green tea, like the Yunnan tea package. I came across this in an unexpected place; the coffee loving nation of France.  The cha box was a Christmas present and filled with different teas.  So now do you fancy a relaxing cuppa?
My Chinese tea cups, the one on the right is the oldest, the one on the left is more sophisticated for it has a removable matching tea strainer in the top. Take the top off place it upside down on its flat top and take the strainer out to rest on it.  Both are ideal for jasmine tea, but if drinking the blooming type, glass is required
so you can watch the magic of the ball unfurl into a beautiful flower.

Jump into the fun over at ABC Wednesday where there will be lots more words starting with J

16 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a lovely post for the J Day! I love it! I love jasmine tea and it was interesting to read more about it! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Sylvia
ABC Team

jabblog said...

I love that last photograph - so beautiful!

photowannabe said...

I love your China tea cups with the lids and strainers.
One definitely needs a glass cup for the blooming tea. Delightful!

Wanda said...

Well you've made me want to go put on the tea kettle.

Lovely pictures for J day.

Roger Owen Green said...

a lovely gentle post

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Hazel said...

Tea rocks! And what beautiful cups and glass. Now I want to go have some tea. It's raining here right now :)

VioletSky said...

The last photo is beautiful. I do really like your collection of tea mugs, too.

Tumblewords: said...

I love Jasmine tea but have never had a blooming tea - I've heard wonderful things - they are indeed so fascinating. Thanks for sharing your lovely cups and photos!

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

I have been a long time fan of Jasime tea-it is much like aromatherapy and drinaking therapy (if you know what I mean) in one cup. Beautiful images!

Rajesh said...

Wonderful images. I love tea.

Gerald (SK14) said...

Do they do a de-caffinated version? I've just found de-caff earl grey on sale.

Hildred said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely tea time - I am just getting into herbal teas and will certainly try Jasmine after your wonderful recommendation.

MERYL JAFFE, PhD - parent, psychologist, teacher, author... said...

Cool I love tea! Am sipping some now...fresh brewed.
Meryl
http://departingthetext.blogspot.com

Joy said...

Glad to meet all you tea lovers.

Gerald - I've never looked for de-decaffeinated so can't answer your question. I'd recommend drinking Rooibos tea (no caffeine). I like that as a breakfast tea, later I'll have a cup of high caffeine coffee just to zing me into life.

Unknown said...

I can smell the sweet aroma of the jasmine through your words and photos!
Thank you,
Helen Mac, ABC Wednesday Team

Jama said...

I love Jasmine flower but have never tried the Jasmine tea, must give it a try.