Jasmine tea (Chinese: 茉莉花茶; pinyin: mòlìhuā chá) is a type of scented tea which absorbs aroma from jasmine blossoms. Scented tea was known during the time of the Song Dynasty (960–1279); however it was reserved for the Imperial Court. Typically, jasmine tea employs green tea as the tea base; however, white tea and even black tea are also now used. The resulting flavor of jasmine tea is subtly sweet and highly fragrant. It is the most famous scented tea in China.
Scented tea was known in China since the Song Dynasty that ruled over 800 years ago. Cai Xiang wrote in classic work The Record of Tea: "Tea has natural fragrance, entered as an imperial tribute item; to which a tiny amount of borneo camphor is added; in order to change its fragrance." This proves that during the Song Dynasty tea was scented with musk and borneo camphor, although it was only available to royalty at the time. The Jasmine plant is believed to have been introduced into China from Persia via India during the Han Dynasty, along with the introduction of Buddhism into China. However, Jasmine tea did not become widespread until the Qing Dynasy when tea started to be exported in large quantities to the West.
The jasmine plant is grown at high elevations in the mountains. Jasmine tea produced in the Chinese province of Fujian enjoys the best reputation. Jasmine tea is also produced in Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Zhejiang provinces.
Read more about Jasmine Tea: Preparation, Cultural Uses
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