What temperature should water be for jasmine tea?

167–185°F (75–85°C). Jasmine green tea is a green tea and scalds in boiling water. Without a thermometer, boil the water and let it rest three to five minutes.

How long should you steep jasmine tea?

1 to 3 minutes. Start at 2 minutes and taste. Jasmine pearls need a little longer, around 2–3 minutes, to unfurl.

How is jasmine tea made?

Traditionally, finished green tea is layered with fresh jasmine blossoms overnight, when the flowers open and release their scent. The spent flowers are removed and the process is repeated, sometimes six or seven times for the best teas.

Does jasmine tea have caffeine?

Yes, if it's made with green tea, which most is: usually about 20–45 mg per 8 oz cup. Jasmine-scented herbal blends are caffeine-free.

How many times can you steep jasmine pearls?

Usually three or four times. Add about 30 seconds to each infusion. The pearls keep opening, so the second cup is often as good as the first.

Why does my jasmine tea taste bitter?

Usually water that's too hot or a steep that's too long. Use water around 175°F (80°C), keep it to 1–3 minutes, and take the leaves out when it's done.

How to Brew Jasmine Green Tea

Steep time: 1m – 3m
Water temperature: 75°C – 85°C

About Jasmine Green Tea

Jasmine green tea is green tea scented with fresh jasmine blossoms. The leaves are layered with flowers that open overnight, and the leaves absorb their fragrance; the finest jasmine teas are scented several times with fresh blossoms. The tradition comes from Fujian province in China, which still produces much of the world's jasmine tea, including hand-rolled jasmine pearls.

What it tastes like

Sweet, perfumed jasmine over a light, fresh green tea base. In good jasmine tea the floral aroma is natural and clean, never soapy or artificial.

Step by step

Measure your tea Use about one teaspoon of Jasmine Green Tea leaves per 8 oz cup.
Heat the water Bring fresh water to 75°C – 85°C. Water that is too hot will scorch the leaves.
Steep Pour the water over the leaves and steep for 1m – 3m. Start at the shorter time and taste as you go.
Strain and serve Remove the leaves as soon as the steep is done so the tea does not turn bitter.

Brewing tips

Look for tea scented with real blossoms rather than flavoring. The ingredients should be just green tea and jasmine.
Brew jasmine pearls in a glass so you can watch them unfurl.
Pair it with dumplings, light stir-fries, or fresh fruit.

Timer

Jasmine Green Tea steeps for 1m – 3m — start the clock as you pour.

Jasmine Green Tea

Timing every cup? The app has this timer for every tea. Get the app →

Enjoy your tea. Next time, the app remembers the time and temperature for you. Get the app →

Other ways to brew Jasmine Green Tea

In a mug or teapot

Use one teaspoon (2–3 g) per 8 oz (240 ml) cup. Heat water to 167–185°F (75–85°C), or boil it and let it rest a few minutes, then steep 1–3 minutes. Jasmine is brewed like a green tea, and hot water spoils it the same way: the tea turns bitter and the floral scent goes flat.

Jasmine pearls

Pearls are hand-rolled balls of tea leaves that slowly unfurl in the water. Use about 10–12 pearls (2–3 g) per cup and water around 175°F (80°C). Steep 2–3 minutes for the first cup; they need a little longer than loose leaf to open.

In a glass or gaiwan

Jasmine is beautiful brewed in glass, where you can watch the leaves or pearls open. In a gaiwan, use about 4 g in 4 oz (120 ml) of water at 175°F (80°C) and steep 30–45 seconds, adding a little time each round.

Iced and cold brew

For iced jasmine, brew double strength for 2 minutes and pour over ice. For cold brew, use about 5 g per 8 oz (240 ml) of cold water and refrigerate for 4–8 hours. Cold-brewed jasmine is especially fragrant and has no bitterness.

Can you re-steep Jasmine Green Tea?

Yes. Good jasmine tea gives two or three steeps, and jasmine pearls often give three or four. Pour each infusion off completely and add 30 seconds for each new round. The jasmine scent is strongest in the first two cups.

If your Jasmine Green Tea doesn't taste right

Bitter? The water was too hot or the steep too long. Jasmine is a green tea underneath. Use water around 175°F (80°C) and keep it to 1–3 minutes.
Smells perfumed or artificial? Cheap jasmine tea is often sprayed with flavoring instead of being scented with real blossoms. Traditionally made jasmine tea is layered with fresh flowers over several nights, and smells soft and natural rather than sharp.
Weak jasmine scent? Jasmine scent fades over time. Keep the tea airtight and away from other teas and strong smells, and use it within a few months of opening.

Ways to drink Jasmine Green Tea

Jasmine pearls (Dragon Pearls)

Tea leaves and buds rolled into small balls and scented with jasmine. Sweet, smooth, and very fragrant, and they re-steep well.

Jasmine Silver Needle

White tea buds scented with jasmine. Softer and more delicate than jasmine green tea. Brew at the cooler end, around 167–175°F (75–80°C).

With milk

Jasmine milk tea, popular in bubble tea shops, uses a strong brew of jasmine green tea with milk and sweetener over ice. Brew it double strength for 3 minutes so the flavor carries through.