The origins of our Jasmine Dragon Pearls Chinese green tea

Fresh and delicate, this luxury Chinese loose leaf tea is a gem. Made of tiny hand-rolled fresh Jasmine Pearls that unfurl as it brews, it has an elegant Champagne colour that looks stunning served in elegant glassware. But the most notable thing about our Jasmine Dragon Pearls is its flavour: sweet, intensely floral jasmine scented with hints of spring-like greenery – a testament to the time of year this single-origin tea is harvested.

A two-star winner at the Great Taste Awards, this beautifully fragrant brew hails from Fuzhou in the south-eastern province of Fujian, the historic home of Jasmine tea. Each pearl is created by taking the carefully plucked long, silver, velvety shoots of the Camellia sinensis tea bush – harvested in spring and carefully hand-rolled into little tea balls naturally scented with fresh, aromatic Jasmine flowers.

Being worked by hand from harvest to final product helps ensure the smooth flavour and rounded mouthfeel of this speciality tea, which is perfect as a post-meal digestif or a refreshing afternoon infusion.

What are the health benefits of Jasmine tea?

Jasmine Dragon Pearls contains the health benefits associated with all premium green teas. Studies have shown that these may include everything from higher fat-burning triggers to cancer-fighting properties – a result of their being packed with antioxidant-rich plant compounds called polyphenols, which are better preserved in green and white teas thanks to their less intensive processing methods.

What is Jasmine Dragon Pearls tea?

Known in China as 'mo li hua zhu', or Jasmine flower tea, Jasmine Dragon Pearls is an artisanal Chinese tea made from premium green tea leaves and jasmine flowers. During production, the tea leaves are layered with jasmine buds, which allows the essential jasmine oils to seep into the tea. The tea leaves are then delicately rolled into beautiful little pearls that unfurl when steeped in hot water.

Each premium tea in our Jasmine Tea range is sourced from Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province in China's southeast. With its subtropical climate, short dry winters and high rainfall, the area has historically proved ideal for growing jasmine and the tea bush, Camellia sinensis. Jasmine was originally planted in the third century and has been blended with green tea leaves since the Song dynasty era (960-1279 AD).

Variations on this perfumed green loose leaf tea

If you love this delightful floral brew, try our Jasmine Green Tea – another refreshing afternoon pick-me-up and an excellent accompaniment to food. If you're looking for another low-processed tea with the heady aromas of jasmine, try something from our range of speciality white teas: Jasmine Silver Needle from China or Rare Jasmine Silver Tips from Ceylon. Alternatively, we recommend White Peony Chinese white tea for another floral brew with a hint of fruitiness.

With its long leaves and delicate blooms, Jasmine Tea is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink. Enjoy watching it brew in a stylish teapot or infuser from our stunning range of Glassware. 

Tasting notes

This tea offers an intensely jasmine aroma and clear yellowish infusion. A delicate and soothing cup with orchid and ripe pear notes with clean floral mouthfeel.

Region

Fujian is a coastal province in Southeastern China on the shores of the South China sea, facing the 110 mile-wide Taiwan Strait. The province is mostly mountainous and heavily covered in dense forests. The elevation varies from sea level to 2,174m at the peak of Mount Huanggang, in the Wuyi Mountains, offering a formidable natural barrier between the coast and the interior of China.

Rivers are of great importance for transport and irrigation. The climate here is temperate Humid Subtropical (CFA), with hot summers of high rainfalls and cool, dryer winters, with occasional snow in the northwest and at higher altitude. Across the year, the skies are mostly cloud-covered, with low wind. The province has a whole as varied vegetation, ranging from tropical to cold temperate species.

At lower elevations, the subtropical forests are home to evergreens, hardwood trees and confiners, lianas and ferns, along with a diverse fauna which includes many birds, amphibians and reptiles. Higher up, deciduous trees, conifers and rhododendrons are plentiful. Oolong, Black and smoked teas originate from the Wuyi mountains, in the North of the province.; whilst the white teas hail from Fuding and Zhenghe counties, closer to the coast, but still elevated, on rich, fertile forest soils. Rice cultivation is common in the valleys.

Ingredients

Chinese Green Tea Infused with Jasmine Blossoms

How to brew

Tea leaves: 2g - 3g

Browing Temp: 80°C

Water: 200ml

Browing Time: 2 - 3mins