People in China have been enjoying cups of jasmine tea since at least the Tang Dynasty (618-907). You may enjoy the odd cup of jasmine tea for its floral fragrance and touch of sensuality. Supermarkets are certainly a place to pick up a box, or you might be lucky enough to have a bulk food store nearby that lets you purchase herbs, spices, and loose teas.

But, like with a lot of things it seems, you can grow enough jasmine at home perfectly well and provide yourself with all the jasmine tea you could desire. Pure jasmine tea exists, but traditionally, jasmine tea is a simple green or black tea that has been infused with the scent of jasmine. It is very doable, and if you are in the right climate, you could even grow your true tea plants (Camellia sinensis) as well. Then, you’d be on to a winner!

What is Jasmine, and How Do I Grow It?

Jasmine tea is usually made from common jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Make sure that you know the type of jasmine you are going for as not all plants claimed to be jasmine are true jasmine. Common jasmine is a vining deciduous plant that is hardy to zone 7. The vine produces an abundance of small white flowers that give off a deep and intoxicating scent that can fill your garden and head.

Jasmine is a climber, so it will need a sturdy fence, arbor, or trellis to grow on. It can grow 10-15 feet (and sometimes even taller than that) and needs regular pruning to keep it from becoming straggly. As the vine climbs, you can Support its weight by tying stems to its growing structure. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can grow in most soil types that are well-draining.

How Do I Make Jasmine Tea?

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Now that you have a glorious jasmine vine covered in flowers, you are ready to harvest some to make jasmine tea. It is best to harvest your flowers in the morning after the dew has dried off. This is when their essential oils will be at their highest. You may pick them as buds or opened flowers.

To make jasmine tea, you will need fresh jasmine flowers and loose green or black tea of your choice. In a clean glass jar, add 1/4 cup of loose tea, then add enough flowers just to cover the tea. On top of that, add another 1/4 cup of loose tea and repeat the layers until your jar is filled. You can leave room in the jar to add a weight that presses the layers together.

You must leave the mixture to sit to allow the perfume of the jasmine to permeate through the tea. This can be as short as 24 hours, or you may leave it for several weeks for a more intense flavor.

When you make your tea, the jasmine flowers are perfectly fine left in the mixture. Use a tablespoon of loose tea per cup of hot water.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Jasmine Tea?

A bonus of drinking jasmine tea is that by mixing it with green or black tea, you get all of the health benefits that those leaves bring, too.

Jasmine tea is loaded with polyphenols that act as antioxidants and are linked to oral health benefits as well as being naturally anti-inflammatory. These polyphenols may help to combat tooth decay and neutralize plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth.  In turn, it works as an effective breath freshener.

Jasmine tea is thought to help improve mood by releasing mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.  This can promote feelings of positivity and energy. Inhaling the aroma of your tea while you sip may provide you with these benefits.

Since jasmine is usually blended with caffeinated tea, you must be careful not to cause yourself to have too much caffeine. This is particularly true for those pregnant or breastfeeding. It is best to enjoy jasmine tea as a morning drink.

This article is for informational purposes only. Seek advice from a medical professional before using any herbal remedy and do thorough research on any new herb you are going to ingest.

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• Grow Your Own Tea Plant at Home
• 5 Best Flowers To Grow for Preserving or Drying
• 10 Best Kits To Grow Your Own Herbs
• How to Grow and Use Valerian
• How to Grow and Harvest Goji Berries at Home

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