How do I brew Jasmine Pearl?

Use 3g (6–8 pearls) per 200ml of leaf to 80°C (176°F) water and steep 2–3 minutes. Most quality Jasmine Pearl can be re-steeped for 3–4 infusions.

Does Jasmine Pearl contain caffeine?

Jasmine Pearl is a green tea and is rated "medium" caffeine. See the chemistry section on this page for cited ranges.

Where does Jasmine Pearl come from?

Jasmine Pearl is produced in China, specifically in the Fujian region.

How many times can I resteep Jasmine Pearls?

High-quality Jasmine Pearls can be steeped 3 to 5 times, with the floral aroma most vivid in the first two infusions and the green tea base becoming more prominent in later steeps. Using a lower temperature around 80°C and shorter steeps of 60 to 90 seconds helps preserve the delicate character across multiple rounds.

Are the jasmine flowers left in the tea when I buy it?

In premium Jasmine Pearls, the jasmine blossoms are typically removed after scenting so the tea retains only the absorbed fragrance rather than dried petals. Some lower-grade or decorative versions leave flowers in, but their presence does not necessarily indicate higher quality.

How many times is Jasmine Pearl tea scented with jasmine?

The number of scenting rounds varies by grade, with premium Jasmine Pearls scented anywhere from 3 to 7 times using fresh jasmine blossoms each round. Each scenting cycle adds another layer of floral depth to the tea, which is why higher-grade versions have a more complex and lasting jasmine character.

Jasmine Pearl

Hand-rolled green tea pearls scented with fresh jasmine blossoms over multiple nights.

Type: Green Tea
Origin: China · Fujian
Oxidation: none
Caffeine: medium
Brew temp: 80°C
Brew time: 2–3 min
Flavor notes: jasmine, floral, sweet
Harvest: Green tea base: spring (April-May). Jasmine scenting: summer (June-August).

History

Jasmine tea originated during the Song dynasty but was perfected during the Ming dynasty when the scenting technique was refined. Jasmine Pearl (Mò Lì Lóng Zhū) represents the pinnacle of jasmine tea artistry. Each pearl is hand-rolled from two tender leaves and a bud, then scented with fresh jasmine blossoms over multiple nights. The scenting process is painstaking: fresh flowers are layered with the tea, and as they bloom at night, they release their fragrance into the leaves. This is repeated 4–7 times for premium grades.

Processing

Steps: Harvest and kill-green → Roll into pearls → Store base tea → Layer with fresh jasmine blossoms → Scent multiple times → Remove blossoms and dry

Spring-harvested green tea is hand-rolled into tight pearls, then stored until summer when jasmine blooms. Fresh jasmine flowers are layered with the pearls in the evening as the blossoms open. After absorbing the fragrance overnight, the spent flowers are removed. This scenting cycle is repeated multiple times - more rounds produce more intense, layered fragrance. The highest grades use up to 7 scentings.

Tasting Notes

First time? Jasmine Pearl tea delivers a naturally sweet, floral aroma that perfumes the cup without tasting artificial or soapy. The small hand-rolled pearls will unfurl as they steep, which is a pleasant thing to watch and means the leaves continue releasing flavor across multiple infusions.

Appearance

Tight, silvery-green pearls that unfurl into beautiful whole leaves when brewed. The liquor is a clear, pale golden-green.

Aroma

Intoxicatingly floral - sweet jasmine fragrance layered over a clean green tea base. The scent is natural and complex, not perfume-like.

Taste

Smooth and sweet with a delicate jasmine perfume that doesn't overwhelm the underlying green tea. The best pearls offer layers of floral sweetness, a hint of honey, and a clean, refreshing finish.

Brewing Guide

Western Style

Leaf: 3g (6–8 pearls) per 200ml
Water: 80°C (176°F)
Time: 2–3 minutes
Infusions: 3–4 infusions

Gongfu Style

Leaf: 5g per 100ml
Water: 85°C (185°F)
Time: 30s first, +15s each subsequent
Infusions: 5–7 infusions

Step-by-step

Count your pearls. Use about 6–8 pearls (3g) per cup. A glass vessel lets you watch the beautiful unfurling. Tip: Each pearl is hand-rolled from two leaves and a bud - they put on quite a show.
Heat water to 80°C. Water that's too hot will scorch the delicate jasmine fragrance. Tip: If you only have boiling water, let it cool for 3–4 minutes.
Steep and enjoy. Pour water and watch the pearls slowly unfurl over 2–3 minutes. The jasmine aroma fills the room. Tip: These pearls resteep beautifully - often 4–5 times with increasing steeping time.

Common Pitfalls

Brewing jasmine pearls with water above 85C burns the delicate green tea base and turns the jasmine scent sharp and synthetic-smelling.
Not allowing the pearls to fully unfurl before judging the strength leads to adding more leaves and then over-steeping a too-concentrated brew.
Buying jasmine tea scented with artificial flavoring instead of real jasmine flowers produces a perfume-like bitterness that natural scenting avoids.
Steeping for more than 2 minutes on early infusions overwhelms the cup with floral intensity - shorter steeps let you enjoy 4-5 balanced infusions.
Storing jasmine pearls near other teas transfers the jasmine scent to neighboring teas and dulls the pearls themselves over time.

Health Benefits

Combines green tea antioxidants with jasmine's calming aromatherapy effects
Jasmine scent has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
Contains moderate caffeine for gentle alertness
Rich in catechins from the green tea base
Traditionally used to aid digestion

Food Pairings

Light dim sum - especially shrimp dumplings
Fresh fruit, particularly stone fruits and lychee
Light pastries and French macarons
Mild fish dishes with delicate sauces
Jasmine rice (for a jasmine double experience)

Buying Guide

What to look for

Tight, uniform pearls with visible silver tips
Strong, natural jasmine fragrance - not artificial or perfume-like
No loose jasmine petals mixed in (high-quality pearls absorb all the scent)
Look for the number of scentings - 4+ indicates premium quality

Quality indicators

Fujian province (especially Fuzhou) is the premier origin
Hand-rolled pearls with visible downy buds
Multiple scentings (4–7) produce more complex, layered fragrance
Spring-picked base tea with summer jasmine scenting

Price range: $10–20 for standard, $25–50 for premium multi-scented, $60+ for artisan 7-scenting

Storage: Store in an airtight container away from light and strong odors. The jasmine fragrance fades over time - best enjoyed within 6 months.

Fun Facts

Jasmine flowers only open at night, which is why the scenting process happens after sunset.
Premium jasmine pearls use up to 7 separate scentings - each round requires fresh flowers.
About 100 jasmine flowers are needed to scent just 500 grams of tea.
Jasmine tea is the most popular scented tea in China, often served as a welcoming gesture in restaurants.

Frequently asked

How many times can I resteep Jasmine Pearls?: High-quality Jasmine Pearls can be steeped 3 to 5 times, with the floral aroma most vivid in the first two infusions and the green tea base becoming more prominent in later steeps. Using a lower temperature around 80°C and shorter steeps of 60 to 90 seconds helps preserve the delicate character across multiple rounds.
Are the jasmine flowers left in the tea when I buy it?: In premium Jasmine Pearls, the jasmine blossoms are typically removed after scenting so the tea retains only the absorbed fragrance rather than dried petals. Some lower-grade or decorative versions leave flowers in, but their presence does not necessarily indicate higher quality.
How many times is Jasmine Pearl tea scented with jasmine?: The number of scenting rounds varies by grade, with premium Jasmine Pearls scented anywhere from 3 to 7 times using fresh jasmine blossoms each round. Each scenting cycle adds another layer of floral depth to the tea, which is why higher-grade versions have a more complex and lasting jasmine character.

Related Teas

Where to buy Jasmine Pearl

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