Starting your Day

One of the best ways you start your day is with a hot cup of herbal tea.  This helps clear the mind and prepare the body for the busy day ahead.  In fact, many people feel they cannot accomplish much without having their cup of tea with breakfast.

As with anything, the higher the quality of tea the more wonderful the experience will be.

Enhancing the Experience

Okay, so what is the best way to experience tea at its finest?

Most importantly, find a type of tea that you enjoy.  This might be something like Chinese green tea, Jasmine tea, loose black tea, genmaicha tea, or some other type of exotic tea.  Keep in mind that while thousands of varieties exist, they are all extensions of four primary types that come from the same plant called Camellia sinensis.  The four basic types of tea include green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea.

Tea is grown throughout the world, although a large volume comes from China.  However, the geographical location, as well as the way the tea is grown, plucked, dried, and processed determines the final product.  Therefore, you may need to try several types of tea before narrowing your choices down to a few that you love.

Once you have found quality tea that leaves you feeling warm inside, you will find each cup brings satisfaction.  Of course, expect to pay a little more for the higher quality tea but it is well worth the price.  However, even high quality tea is not considered expensive.

Quality Tea Benefits

What type of benefits would you get from drinking high quality tea?

The first thing you would notice is flavor.  When looking at high quality, fresh tea from store bought tea bags, there is simply no comparison.

Additionally, the tea you choose should provide some type of tea benefit.  Quality tea from fresh leaves helps by fighting off free radicals that do damage to the cellular level of the body, reduces stress, and promotes overall good health.

You will also find that high quality tea would quickly become a natural part of your daily regimen.  As you taste the wonderful flavor, smell the aroma, and enjoy the medicinal benefits, you will want to consume two to four cups daily.

Without doubt, tea is versatile.  This one beverage is delicious served hot or cold and in fact, tea can be used for cooking.  In fact, if you were to look online, you would be shocked at the hundreds of recipes available that include tea as an ingredient.

To enjoy the greatest benefits and flavor, you want to choose only loose leaf tea.  The flavor is much better and often, if the leaves are kept moist, they can be used four or five times to produce a perfect cup of tea.

Ensuring Quality

To ensure you have the most amazing experience while sipping on tea, remember, always purchase high quality loose leaf, and make sure the tea is properly prepared.  You will find the best tea from tea companies, locally or online.  These specialty companies sell nothing but tea and tea products so they can assist you in choosing.  The important thing is to purchase your tea only from guarantees that each shipment of tea received from its country of origin is carefully inspected and tasted.  This type of quality control is imperative.

When looking to buy tea online or locally, the following should be considered:

Tea Garden – Geographic Location and Reputation

Environment – Factors such as Humidity and Temperature

Plucking – Time of Year Tea is Plucked

Processing – Quality and Method of Processing Tea

Flavoring – Recipe and Method of Blending and Flavoring Tea

As long as the tea company you buy from tests each shipment received, you would have greater confidence that the quality would be consistent.

Quality Preparation

Just as you need to purchase only the finest tea, the method of making the tea is just as important.  Some people think of this as a type of science but in fact, it is more of an art, something you can learn.  For starters, always use bottled watered, which could be purified or mineral.  Then, you never want to brew the tea longer than four minutes, especially green tea.  The reason is that tea that brews longer becomes bitter because tannic acid is released in greater quantity.  Finally, always enjoy your tea in a gorgeous cup or use your finest tea set when entertaining friends.

The Making of Jasmine Tea

To make Jasmine tea, high quality loose leaf tea is used along with petals from the Jasmine plant.  Because of the two, the tea ends up with a delicate, floral fragrance and flavor, making it different from other types of tea on the market.

Tea Production in China

It is estimated that Jasmine tea was first produced in China some 700 years ago, which involved blossoms from the Jasmine plant being plucked just prior to blooms appearing.  From there, tea leaves were added at nighttime, which created the most amazing infusion of both flavor and aroma.  Typically, the tea is scented with the blossoms twice, using fresh blossoms each time to create the finest quality.

Although Jasmine flower tea can be made from any base tea, it is usually blended with Chinese green tea, making it both delicious and healthy.  Studies have been conducted for years showing that loose green tea is much healthier than Chinese black tea due to processing.  For instance, loose green tea is not fermented whereas black tea is.  This process converts antioxidants in the leaves to other compounds and while loose black tea is healthy, the fermentation process lowers the level of antioxidants.

Healthy Antioxidants

Antioxidants are vital to good health in that they neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that carry oxygen and cause all types of damage to the body.  When free radicals are not controlled, they move through the body, wrecking havoc on DNA and the cellular system.  Because of this, the aging process is sped up and serious disease can develop.

This is why keeping free radicals in check is vital to good health.  Therefore, using green tea as the base for making Jasmine tea is the best choice since this type of tea has a very high level of antioxidants.  Then, eating fresh fruits and vegetables would add even more antioxidants to the body, promoting ultimate health.

Many studies have been done in recent years and the findings specific to green tea are amazing.  This one type of tea can not only prevent colon, breast, pancreatic, lung, and other types of cancer but also help fight it.  Other benefits of this healthy tea include promoting weight loss and lowering body fat.

The primary benefits associated with green tea include the prevention of high cholesterol, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart disease, and again, cancer.  Studies also show that drinking green tea daily can help insulin in the body become regulated, great for individuals with Diabetes.

Types of Jasmine Tea

One of the best ways to enjoy delicious green tea is by drinking Jasmine tea that uses green tea as the base.  In addition to an amazing flavor, the aroma of Jasmine tea is also soothing.  Then when you consider all the health benefits, you can see that Jasmine tea is a perfect choice.

Now, if you are not fond of green tea, remember that Jasmine tea is made with other tea varieties, especially oolong.  For instance, oolong tea is also processed different from the way black tea is processed in that it is only partially fermented whereas black tea is fully fermented.  For oolong, the fermentation is carefully done to the point where 30% of the leaves are red and 70% green.

Being able to stop the process of fermentation at the exact time is what gives oolong tea its unique but wonderful flavor.  Interestingly, most oolong teas use charcoal during the drying phase, which creates a slightly smoky flavor. Therefore, if you choose Jasmine tea made with oolong tea, you have a unique blend of smoky with sweet.

Of course, white tea can also be used to make Jasmine tea and while white tea is growing in popularity, it is still difficult to find.  This type of tea has a delicate flavor with a hint of sweetness.  Because of this, white tea is loved by everyone who tries it.  If you choose oolong Jasmine tea, you will find this to be very light while still providing excellent health benefits.

Even high quality black tea can be used to make Jasmine tea but with black tea being full-bodied, the flavor would be bolder.  Keep in mind that with the blend of the Jasmine petals and black tea, while bolder, the tea still has a soothing, floral fragrance, and flavor.

With so many possibilities, Jasmine tea has quickly become a favorite.  This blend is very easy to make and easy to find.  Since Jasmine tea is quite common, it is important to purchase only from reputable tea companies, those that sell only the finest quality tea available.

Tips for Buying Jasmine Tea

When looking for the best quality when you buy tea online, make sure the petals from the Jasmine plant are real and that whatever base tea is used is high quality, as well.  Another tip for buying Jasmine tea is purchase only teas that use tightly rolled green tea pearls blended with the petals, sometimes referred to as Jasmine pearl tea.

Keep in mind that as you shop for Jasmine tea, you will also find many tea companies use other flavors to create something new.  However, the focus in choosing Jasmine tea is for the petals to make up the fragrance and the tealeaves to make up the flavor.  Therefore, if other flavors are added, it is important that the blend be done properly not to overshadow the fragrance and flavor.

It is common to find many tea companies selling Jasmine tea that has been blended with flavorings such as orange, vanilla, and rose.  All of these are light and soothing but again, the additional flavor should be subtle so it does not overpower the petal fragrance and tea flavor.

Regardless of the type of Jasmine tea you decide to try, chances are you will love everything about it.  In fact, you might look for samples made with oolong, black, white, and green tea so you can taste each and find the one you like best.

Today, both China and Japan are responsible for producing the largest quantity of green tea.  However, other countries also produce delicious flavors.  For example, Ceylon green tea is produced in Sri Lanka, which actually has more of a malty or nutty flavor and a fuller body than tea grown in Asia.

Green tea is also produced in India, which is called Darjeeling.  This variety of green tea still has the grassy flavor found in Asian tea but it also has a muscatel flavor, which makes it distinct.  Another variety of green tea produced in India is called Assam, which has a medium body with a hint of honey.

Vietnam and Korean Green Tea

In Vietnam, some of the world’s best green tea is grown but most people have no idea.  This particular type of green tea is very different from tea grown in China and Japan, offering a much richer flavor.  In fact, green tea grown in Vietnam almost tastes bitter at first but if you hold a small amount in the mouth, it mellows.

Then, Korea is also a producer of green tea, which is high quality and delicious.  For this, the leaves are the first plucking, which makes the tea extremely delicate and light.  You will find that Hadong produces the finest green tea in Korea, which is all grown and processed by hand.

Australian Green Tea

Interestingly, green tea is also produced in Australia, which is a relatively new country growing this type of healthy tea.  However, the majority of green tea grown in Australia is for the country’s own use, meaning that not much is exported.  Even so, the Australian people are working hard to grow greater quantities of the type of green tea produced, known as Jasmine tea.

Kenyan Green Tea

Even Kenya is known for producing green tea, which as a fruitier and more floral flavor.  This particular type of green tea is only recently being introduced to the United States so the best place to purchase it is online through reputable tea companies.

Purchasing Tea Online

If you want to branch out and try unique flavors of green tea, those from any of the countries mentioned, you should look for reputable tea companies online.  When you buy tea online, you have more possibilities than tea found in a local teashop.

Of course, while tea companies online would have a much broader selection, depending on the tea, those considered rare would be hard to find.  Even so, the variety of tea online versus locally would be far greater.

To start, simply conduct research online using any of the top search engines to find several companies.  Typically, companies provide small samples of various tea varieties so you could choose two or three companies you like and then request samples.

It is important that you find the best green tea available, which is done by buying from reputable companies and looking at more than one company.  After all, each tea company will offer something different.  Therefore, shopping through several companies gives you the chance to purchase all types of green tea.

If you purchase a sample collection of tea through an online company, you would have the ability to sample several flavors without it costing you a fortune.  After trying the different tea varieties, you would then narrow your choices down to those you like best, buying larger quantity.

You will also discover that in some cases, online tea companies have sample collections that include not just green tea, but also loose black tea, white tea, and oolong tea whereas other companies have collections of different green tea varieties only.

Purchasing from the top tea companies would improve your chance of getting only the finest tea and for an affordable price.  The best tea companies receive tea from tea gardens from around the world, which means better variety and higher quality.

It is essential that you take your time in choosing a tea company, looking for those known for quality tea, as well as giving you a guarantee on every type of tea sold.  After all, you want the best tea you can find but without spending a fortune.  You also want to know that you would get a money-back guarantee if something were wrong with the order.

Remember, tea companies that have a solid reputation work hard to provide you with an amazing experience that involves good flavored tea of high quality.  These companies would also strive to offer customers with a nice variety of tea produced all over the world.

As you find several tea companies that you trust, you would then have the opportunity to discover some of the finest in the world and the most distinct tea grown, tea that is of the highest quality.

Green tea is without doubt the best choice in that it offers a light and refreshing flavor coupled with health benefits.  Green tea is loaded with antioxidants so it promotes good health and even fights numerous health issues.

Numerous studies have been done on green tea, and they all agree to for preventing and fighting disease, it is the most beneficial.  This type of tea helps with weight loss as well as reducing risk of cancer, heart disease, and high cholesterol.  In fact, several of the more recent studies show promise for Alzheimer’s disease.

All you need to do is begin your search for online tea companies, looking specifically for those that important tea from the finest tea gardens in the world.  With that, you have the opportunity to enjoy delicious flavor while also benefit from the medicinal properties.

Types of Chinese Teapots

While there are many different types of Chinese teapots, one in particular that is original and perfect for tea ceremonies or entertaining friends in the US is called the Yixing.  While the spelling appears as if the word would be pronounced one way, it is actually “E-Ching”.  This type of Chinese teapot is a collectible and features a design that has been used in China for thousands of years.  In fact, some Chinese swear that this type of teapot is magical, which comes in shapes of the Buddha, lotus flower, vegetables, animals, and fruits.

Although finding an authentic Yixing Chinese teapot would be hard to find, some newer options on the market feature contemporary shapes.  For instance, this type of teapot is now made in the shape of a wheelbarrow, chair, and other whimsical shapes that are sure to please.

Materials of the Yixing Teapot

The red clay used to make the Yixing teapot can only be found in the Yunnan province of China.  Because of the material, this ware is porous, making it easier to absorb color, which is why even the older teapots still have original vibrant colors.  These teapots are not even glazed although some of the newer ones could be.  Keep in mind that you only want to use one type of tea with the teapot because it will eventually begin absorbing flavors.  Therefore, whether you love chai green tea, gunpowder green tea, Chinese black tea, flowering tea, Jasmine tea, or something else, use just one pot for each type of tea.

Finding Yixing Chinese Teapots

It is actually very easy to locate Yixing teapots.  Because they are considered so popular and the perfect collectible, they are everywhere.  However, if you were looking for a genuine teapot, one of value, it would be important to purchase from a reputable and qualified dealer or vendor.  That way, you know you are buying homemade pot and not one made with a machine or some cheap knock-off.  If the teapot is genuine, your favorite healthy tea will taste better and heat more efficiently. 

Remember, there are certain things you want to look for when buying an authentic Chinese Yixing teapot.  Some of the more important elements include:

Cap – Needs to be firm and not easy to move

Body – Should not feel grainy

Knob – Needs to be in sync with the body, preferably ergonomic

Handle – Should be large enough to hold and firm

Capacity – Needs to be able to hold a substantial amount of water, enough to serve up to three people but no more

Mouth Net – Should have a net over the mouth to help strain loose tea leaves

Hardiness – Needs to be strong and durable

Color – Should never be dyed

Shape – Can be anything but the shape should not be clumsy and awkward

Craftsmanship – Overall teapot should be well made

Material – All Yixing Chinese teapots should only be made from Zhu or purple clay

Bottom – Should have the name of the artist engraved on the bottom

Skin – If the Yixing teapot is quality, it would have a brittle like skin with thinner interior walls

Pouring – When exotic tea is poured from the Yixing teapot, a smooth, consistent stream should be seen

Remember that along with the mentioned qualities of the Yixing Chinese teapot, when you find one that has it all, you could pay a high price.  Therefore, you should spend time looking so you can make comparisons.  If all the prices are outside your budget, then you might see if a manmade pot works.

Responsibilities of Tea Wholesalers

For suppliers that resell tea and tea products, tea wholesalers add distinct value.  While suppliers sell to consumers, tea wholesalers provide tea and tea products to hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals, bars, grocery stores, and other venues.

Without doubt, the value is vital, with some examples as follows:

 Guests staying in hotels are served delicious loose leaf tea in the restaurant and day spa or guests can have it delivered to the room via room service

Meals at quality restaurants are complimented with delicious loose green tea, loose black tea, or some other type of exotic tea of choice, whether consumed hot or cold

 At grocery stores and convenience stores, tea products are displayed for consumers to buy

Coffee shops, bars, cafes, and even tea rooms offer a relaxing environment where tea varieties of all types can be enjoyed

Reseller and Tea Wholesaler Relationship

For the greatest benefits, resellers and tea wholesalers need a good working relationship.  This means working closely together, beyond ordering from a website or catalog or being offered a discount on certain types of tea.  Instead, the wholesaler should understand the needs of the reseller and provide products and services that would add value to the reseller and his or her customers.

A great tea wholesaler would work hard to provide a quality product, as well as great service and competitive pricing.

Quality of Tea

Of course, one of the most important responsibilities of a tea wholesaler is always to provide the reseller with the highest quality tea possible.  As consumers realize they can purchase the best green tea, Jasmine tea, or other tea from a particular store, restaurant, or hotel, they will keep going back.  For this reason, the tea wholesaler should have a solid reputation for adding value.

Customer Support

In addition to the quality of tea, tea wholesalers must provide resellers with outstanding service and support.  If the wholesaler is dedicated, this would involve providing a variety of quality tea, assisting with reseller ordering, track shipments, offer billing assistance, if needed, and take care of any problems.  After all, a good working relationship would provide long-term benefits for both parties.

Competitive Pricing

Pricing is always important but especially in the current economy.  Another responsibility of tea wholesaler is to provide his/her resellers with the best pricing available.  Whether the reseller is buying Chinese green tea, Jasmine Pearl Tea, gunpowder green tea of some other variety, they need quality but at a competitive price, with discounts if possible.

Sometimes, tea wholesalers will offer resellers automatic price level adjustments.  With this, when a reseller placed an order for bulk quantity, a price adjustment would be done automatically to show a discount and in real time.

Order History

To make the entire process easier, more efficient, and more accurate, an e-commerce website is recommended.  This should be created so it offers automatic order history.  In this case, tea wholesalers could quickly pull up all the information needed to make the next order better.  This is a huge time and effort saver, well worth it.

Along with having the capability of looking up past orders on an e-commerce website, having a system such as this also makes billing easier and it helps avoid mistakes and confusion.

Many tea wholesalers are now offering unlimited shipping locations for every order, as well as single point of billing when more than one delivery location is involved.

The bottom line is that the tea industry would not be what it is without three parties – tea wholesalers, resellers, and consumers.  All three add value, creating the perfect balance of what makes the tea industry so successful.

Because of the unique blend of quality tea leaves and flower petals, the tea ends up with a smooth flavor and texture with a hint of sweetness, while the aroma is fragrant.

Production of Jasmine Tea

For more than 700 years, this type of flowering tea has been produced in China.  Initially, blossoms from the Jasmine plant were hand plucked in the morning just prior to them opening.  After that, the petals had to be stored in a cool place and in the evening, they were blended with Chinese green tea.

The process at night involved infusing the flower petals with the loose green tea leaves because nighttime is when the petals are the most fragrant.  This infusion process was repeated several times until the perfect aroma and flavor was developed.  While Jasmine tea is made in a more automated method today, to buy the best tea available, it would still involve using the best green tea leaves with fresh picked Jasmine blossoms.

Jasmine Tea Grading

If you enjoy drinking Jasmine tea, hot or cold, keep in mind that you have a number of options.  The challenge is finding quality Jasmine tea since the grading method is somewhat complicated.

Remember, when it comes to grading tea, no international standards exist.  Therefore, every country that produces tea uses a distinct grading system.  In fact, the unique types of tea have an entirely different type of system.  When looking at green tea versus white tea or Chinese black tea, they are graded differently.

This means to understand the grading system of Jasmine tea, you would need to learn about the way in which the tea variety from which this type of flowering tea is made is graded.  For instance, the following will help make this easier to comprehend.

Black Tea – This type of tea is graded based on process, which would provide information as to the percentage of whole leaves used and the time of year and day the leaves are plucked but it might not help in determining quality.  The key is to learn the originating place and harvesting method of the tea.  Within the United States, this kind of tea is known as whole leaf tea, called “Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe”.  Just be sure you never purchase “dust” tea, which is low quality.

Green Tea – China grades this kind of tea on the shape of the leaf.  However, while other countries also grade on leaf shape, they have different terms for describing the shape.  In addition to the shape of the leaves, China and other countries that grow green tea grade quality as well.

 Oolong Tea – In China, oolong tea has a simple grading method.  The finest quality is known as “fanciest” or “Extra Fancy” while the lowest quality is called “common”.  China is the primary producer of oolong tea so choosing quality Jasmine tea blended with oolong is easy.  Keep in mind that if oolong comes from a different country, the grading system would be different.

White Tea – This too has a simple type of grading system since the leaves plucked from the plant are not involved with the method for grading quality.  White tea is always from a first plucking since it has just one growing season.  For this reason, buying quality white tea as the base for Jasmine tea coming out of china means that you would have the option of Silver Needles or White Peony, both excellent choices.

Now, if you were to purchase tea from India or Sri Lanka such as Darjeeling or Ceylon, you would see another grading system.

For the best Jasmine tea, the first decision is what the petals would be blended with, green, black, white, or oolong tea.  Experts suggest you begin with Chinese green Jasmine tea, again a blend of green tea from China and Jasmine flower petals.  With this, you would experience what Jasmine tea should be.

Buying Jasmine Tea

After deciding on blend and the country of origin, you would then start looking for reputable tea companies.  The better stores would have the blend you want or be able to get it but if not, you might need to try a different blend.

Most of the better tea companies will have a wide range of combinations made from high quality tea.  Therefore, if you have to choose a something other than your first choice, you would still end up with an amazing Jasmine tea.

The bottom line is that Jasmine tea is a wonderful choice so you would never be disappointed.  With a relaxing aroma and a light, sweet, and delicate flavor, it is the perfect tea.  Because of this, countries that grow tea always offer Jasmine tea so now; the challenge is finding the exact blend you want.

Any food or beverage sold as “organic has to follow strict laws and standards.  While not confusing, many people still find this to be somewhat confusing.

Organically Grown – What is it?

For any food or beverage to be “organic”, it has to follow standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Organic Food Production Act of 1990, a governmental program.  In addition, specific regulations were set by the National Organic Program along with the Organic Food Production Act in which any farm or handling facility, privately owned or working as a State agency accredited by the USDA must label the product as “organic” and include its origin.

In addition, these regulations also state that handling facilities or farms many not use the following in the actual production of organic food or drink, or the handling of such.

Ionizing Radiation

Sewage Sludge

Genetic Engineering

Another standard for organic food and tea is that no crop can be grown using any of the following: 

Sewage Sludge-Based Fertilizer

Conventional Pesticides

Petroleum-Based Fertilizers

Importing Regulated Organic Food and Tea

The Organic Food Production Act requires the USDA to look over the certification that the organic products are produced under.  Additionally, any foreign country working as a certifying agent has to apply for certification with the USDA and follow the rules.  If certification with the USDA is not applied for, then foreign governments have the option to assess and accredit any certifying agents under the National Organic Program’s requirements but only with approval by the USDA.  Additionally, the United States and the other country’s government can use an equivalency agreement instead of the certificate.

Label Standards for Organic Food and Tea

As a part of the certification process for any tea, loose green tea, loose black tea, white tea, oolong tea, Jasmine tea, Chai green tea, or other exotic tea, the product must be labeled as organic, which is the easy part.  This way, consumers will know exactly what they are buying.  It is true that organic tea is often more expensive than non-organic healthy tea, but the label is actually to show the percentage of organic ingredients in the product.  In fact, the law states that labels have to read a certain way, such as the following:

“100% Organic” – This means the product contains nothing but organic ingredients

“Organic” – This product has 95% organic ingredients

Both of these labels have to also have the USDA Organic Seal displayed

“Made with Organic Ingredients” – Tea labeled as processed would contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, which is what you would see with processed products

Any processed tea with less than 70% organic ingredients is not allowed by law to use the word “organic” in any way

Labels for Consumers

Tea that is grown and harvested outside of the United States, foreign agents typically handle the certification.  Because of this, it is vital for consumers with concerns about the way tea is grown, to know where the tea comes from and understand the supplier and its reputation.

The good news is that today, bio-terrorism laws have been established that have had a direct impact on transportation of tea, both export and import.  With this, products coming into the United States are looked at much closer.  Yes, these new laws slow down the rate of importing tea coming to the US from other countries, it also means that the FDA is taking the time and effort to make sure the tea is safe.

Whether overseas or in the US, any time a conventional estate or garden is converted to organic growing, the process will be long and expensive.  Because of this, many small farmers avoid organic growing.  On occasion, some farmers are growing organic food and tea but because they do not have proper capital or knowledge, they cannot be certified.  To help, the tea industry within the US is working hard to educate farmers and other organic growers so they will ultimately grow delicious and healthy tea that is safe for the planet but also cost efficient.

Another huge benefit of organic tea is the flavor, which cannot compare to tea grown in a conventional manner.  Keep in mind, when converting a standard garden to one that grows organic tea, challenges will arise so people need to understand that to produce the best tasting tea, they will go through short and long-term obstacles.  However, as the farmers and growers become more knowledgeable, the quality of tea will improve.

One of the primary responsibilities of tea importers and suppliers, those handling only the finest tea grown is to understand standards of production and the philosophies that go along with the organic farm or garden.  Again, challenges will be a part of the process but every season, the growing process will become easier and better.  If you want to purchase organic tea, you can find it at health food stores, organic food stores, some major grocery stores, and even online tea companies.

Once the leaves are plucked, they must be kept in a cool place until nighttime.  At that point, the full flavor and fragrance are released.  Next, petals of the Jasmine plant are added to the dry tealeaves.  As the leaves dry, they begin to absorb the fragrance of the Jasmine petals.  Typically, Jasmine tea is scented this way up to three times and for higher grades, scented even more.  Today, this process is often done automatically with machinery whereas in the old days, it was all done by hand.

Quality Jasmine Tea

In the Fujian Province of China, the highest quality Jasmine tea is grown.  The leaves in this location are extremely large and they are the most heavily scented.  In fact, because the leaves are so loose, whether loose green tea, loose black tea, loose oolong tea, or loose white tea, they have the ability to absorb the fragrance of the Jasmine petals than tea grown anywhere else in the world.

To make this type of flowering tea, the leaves must be hand plucked in the springtime, which is when the leaves are the tenderest.  In fact, for this type of exotic tea, the key to quality is for it to be produced from the first plucking, which means the first leaves that grow.  Often, you will hear of Jasmine tea made this way as “Spring Breeze”.

Differences with Jasmine Tea

While Jasmine tea has been popular throughout Asia, it is particularly popular in the northern region of China.  However, over the past five to ten years, people all over the world are now enjoying this kind of healthy tea.  As you will discover, Jasmine tea is unique in a number of ways.

Many Asians believed that Jasmine tea held some kind of spiritual power.  For this reason, its popularity increased dramatically, especially for use in formal tea ceremonies.

The base tea to make Jasmine tea can be green tea, Chinese black tea, or oolong tea.  Because of this, you would still get the same floral flavor but based on the choice of base tea, the flavor of Jasmine tea would vary.

If you think that you might want to try Jasmine tea, the next step is trying to decide the variety to choose.

Every person has a different taste preference so you would likely choose the base tea you like most.  Of course, you can always step outside the box to try a number of varieties just to experience the difference.  Most people will find varieties of Jasmine tea they like and do not like so consider the characteristics of the base tea varieties to help you decide.

Jasmine Green Tea

Of all Jasmine flower tea, this is by far the most popular.  For one thing, green tea is extremely healthy and it has a nice, relaxing flavor that is light and natural.  You could drink this type of Jasmine tea plain or add cream.  Remember that green tea is loaded with antioxidants so it offers all types of medical properties.  Additionally, green tea is not fermented so it has virtually no caffeine.

Antioxidants have been carefully studies and experts know that they prevent and fight serious illnesses.  Additionally, antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which develop in the digestive process.  The damage caused is to the cellular level, as well as DNA.  Therefore, choosing foods and drinking tea high in antioxidants helps keep free radicals in check.

Oolong Jasmine Tea

Another popular type of Jasmine tea is made with oolong tea.  In this case, oolong is only slightly fermented so it has caffeine but not much.  The fermentation process is shorter than the time it requires for black tea to ferment.  In this case, the fermentation process is halted once the leaves are 70% green and 30% red.

However, it takes a skilled worker to stop the fermentation process at the exact time, which is what produces the wonderful and unique flavor of oolong tea.  You would find the flavor of Jasmine oolong tea to be mild but with a slightly fruity and sweet taste and with wonderful fragrance.

White Jasmine Tea

Another popular type of Jasmine tea uses white tea as the base, giving the tea a light and delicate flavor and soothing aroma.  Interestingly, because white tea is only produced once a year and there are few growers, it is considered rare.  Therefore, quality white tea is a little more challenging to find and it is the most expensive tea sold.

For over 700 years, white tea was consumed only in Asian countries and for special occasions such as formal tea ceremonies.  However, this type of tea is now very popular in westernized countries.  Because of growing consumer demand, finding good white tea is a little more difficult to find.  This type of tea is also unfermented, meaning it has a high level of antioxidants and very little caffeine just like green tea does.

Black Jasmine Tea

The final base is with Chinese black tea.  Black tea is very popular in North America so many people will choose this type of tea when buying Jasmine tea.  The flavor of black tea is rich and bold, far more than you would get from white, green, or oolong tea.  Even the aroma is stronger but pleasant.

Remember, no matter the base tea you choose, trying one or more varieties of Jasmine tea should be tried.  Not only is the flavor enjoyable but also, as you sip it hot or drink it cold, the fragrance enhances the overall experience.

This is why we suggest that people try several different varieties of Jasmine tea so they have something from which to make comparisons.  Jasmine is a wonderful flower that has a sweet, floral scent so if you find this appealing, you can imagine how delicious it would be when added to your favorite base tea.

Green Tea Varieties

For one thing, Chinese green tea comes in a wide range of varieties.  The different flavors are the result of the oxidization process but with green tea, no oxidization is done, which means enzymes in the loose green tea leaves are never exposed to oxygen.  However, if you were to look at Chinese black tea, the process involves full oxidization whereas oolong tea only goes through a partial process of oxidization.  Therefore, the type of flavor and even medicinal properties are based on how much oxidization the leaves go through.

You will also find that green tea comes in a wide range of textures and flavors, depending on the process, as well as the country of origin.  For instance, green tea comes from China, a variety enjoyed in Asia, India, and westernized countries.  Chai green tea is also very popular.  In addition, you might consider different blends and flavors such as Jasmine tea, Jasmine Pearl tea, Gunpowder Green tea, Sencha, Mint, and vanilla, each unique and delicious.

Appealing Green Tea

Because all green tea is light and refreshing, it has a huge following all over the world.  Even though tea in general was discovered more than 5,000 years ago, there are just five basic varieties most recognized and used to produce all the different flavors.

For many people, loose leaf green tea is a staple of daily life.  While you could purchase tea bags, the best green tea or other tea would be in the form of loose leaves.  Today, tea is enjoyed as a daily beverage, as well as for entertaining friends or gathering with family as a ritual.  Even in China and Japan, tea is an important part of life, enjoyed after a hectic day but also used in tea ceremonies.

Historical Details of Tea

From 1405 to 1433, tea was very powerful in China, carried around the sea by seamen transporting it but also using it to last through long, difficult journeys.  It was common for seamen to drink a type of tea beverage that contained vitamin C, which was shown to prevent the deadly disease of survy.  Then 100 years later, it was still used but to many medical officers of European fleets, they were introduced for the first time while taking a trip from China to Africa that involved 27,000 men.

Tea Health Benefits

Numerous current day studies have been conducted showing that all tea, especially green tea is highly beneficial to a person’s health.  While tea has long been used for medicinal purposes, its true value is only recently being fully understood.  In China, tea was commonly used to support a healthy mind and body.  While discovered 5,000 years ago, it was not until 2737 BC when health benefits were first referenced.  During ancient China years, the cost of tea was high, which meant only the rich and famous drank it.

However, during the Ming Dynasty in 1368 BC, the Mongolian empire fell.  With this, tea became available for everyone.  Then in 1606, the first shipment of tea, which was green tea, was sent to Europe by sea from the Dutch East India Company.  Then in 1994, results of a cancer study done by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute were released, showing that drinking green tea daily could reduce occurrence of esophageal cancer by as much as 60%.

Another study done by the University of Purdue also showed that Chinese green tea is actually capable of stopping cancer cells from growing.  You will even find that drinking three cups of green tea daily can help lower high cholesterol while supporting good cholesterol.  Even in Japan, the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the Japanese had lower risk of death, regardless of cause by drinking green tea.

With so many wonderful flavors, you can choose any type of high quality tea, again choosing loose leaf so you too can enjoy the many health benefits.

Many tea companies and specialty shops offer gift cards as well, making the Tea of the Month or the gift card a unique and cherished gift for you or someone special.

Tea of the Month Example

One option of what you would receive when joining the Tea of the Month Club includes the following samples:

Month One – Coconut Pouchong

Month Two – Moroccan Mint

Month Three – Sinharaja

Month Four – Vanilla Jasmine

Month Five – Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green Tea

Month Six – Honey Pear

Month Seven – Tippy Earl Grey

Month Eight – Rose

Month Nine – White Persian Melon

Month Ten – French Breakfast

Month Eleven – Kashmiri Chai

Month Twelve – Organic Green Tea

Remember, every month that you are a member of the Tea of the Month Club, you would receive a new selection.  Typically, tea companies and specialty shops provide you with the highest quality and the newest tea creations.  When wanting to learn about tea and the many flavors available, this is the perfect way.

Length of the Tea of the Month Membership

Sometimes, tea companies and specialty shops that offer this type of membership will allow you to choose from a six or twelve month program.  In fact, sometimes, you can choose a membership for eighteen or twenty-four months.

In fact, many companies now give buyers the option of having the subscription recurrent.  In this case, the twelve-month option would be chosen along with an automatic renewal.  That way, when the twelve months ends, your credit card would be charged for the next twelve months and so on until you decide you no longer want to participate.

Delivery – Fast and Accurate

Along with the great tea varieties that come from a Tea of the Month Club, you want to make sure the company you buy from offers several different delivery options and have a proven record of fast delivery.  Typically, these companies have e-commerce websites that make the buying, paying, and navigation easy.

Tea Packaging

It is also important that the tea you purchase be properly packaged so it arrives fresh and undamaged.  Additionally, the packaging, especially if for a gift, should be professional and attractive.  The packages of individual tea should be re-sealable, using only the highest quality and safest materials.  Obviously, if the tea were to arrive wrapped in a brown paper bag or newspaper, or anything containing harmful chemicals, this would be horrific.

The benefit of buying from a company that offers re-sealable packaging is that the tea would remain fresh for a long time, and pets and small children would not be able to open the package.

Quality a Number One Priority

No matter how unique the flavors of tea are, unless they are high quality, it would not matter.  When buying from a Tea of the Month Club, it is imperative that the loose leaf tea be extremely high quality.  Of all components of buying, this is the number one priority.  This is why locating a company that has a strong reputation is important.

A common practice by the best tea companies is called cupping.  With this, a small sample of every tea shipment received is tested to ensure it meets high standards.  If this information is not provided on the company website, you can always ask if the tea is cupped.  This way, you have confidence that the tea you are purchasing is in fact the best quality you can buy.

Without doubt, joining a Tea of the Month Club is an exciting purchase and the perfect way to sample incredible flavors of loose leaf tea.  Buying from a reputable supplier, one that guarantees your satisfaction is the best way to go.