Jasmine tea and green tea are different teas with many differences but also many similarities. In this post, I’ll show you the main differences between jasmine and green tea.
Jasmine Tea vs. Green Tea: The Main Differences
Green tea is unscented; jasmine tea is
High-quality jasmine tea is made by scenting tea leaves with jasmine flowers or jasmine buds before they are opened.
The traditional jasmine tea is scented green tea, but other types of tea, such as black, white, and oolong tea, can also be scented with jasmine. So you have jasmine green tea, jasmine black tea, jasmine white tea, etc.
Green tea is not scented; it’s only green tea. It comes in many types depending on whether it is Chinese or Japanese green tea, and every type has its own distinct qualities.
Regular green tea is usually less expensive than the jasmine tea
Despite the fact that lower-grade tea leaves are typically used in the production of jasmine tea, the growing and picking of the flowers is a time-consuming and pricey process that determines the final price of the tea.
Why is this process so expensive? The base green tea is harvested in early spring (March and April) and kept in controlled conditions until summer. The scenting process can only begin after the jasmine blooms in summer (June). Because jasmine flowers often bloom at night, the buds should be harvested at about 2 p.m. on the day of blooming.
The next step is to combine the jasmine flowers with tea leaves for scent infusion. They are left to sit overnight, and the jasmine buds blossom, delivering their strongest aroma during the night.
While the jasmine is blooming, the tea absorbs the jasmine scent. In the morning, the jasmine flowers that have already bloomed are picked out, and new fresh jasmine buds are inserted into the tea to resume the process.
This procedure will continue for an extended length of time. It might be days or weeks, but the longer the jasmine blossoms have processed and perfumed the tea, the greater the quality of the tea.
As a result, the production of jasmine tea may take a month or longer. It’s a gradual process that is also affected by the weather.
Today, many brands use synthetic jasmine extract for scent. These commercially scented teas are flavored immediately during the tea production process, without having to rely on weather patterns, harvest schedules, and storage processes.
This is why you have a huge range in the price of jasmine teas on the market. Traditionally flavored jasmine tea is always more expensive than an artificially flavored one.
Jasmine tea tastes amazing without any added sweetener
Jasmine tea is so aromatic that there is no need to add any kind of sweetener. If you’re new to green tea, maybe you don’t like the astringency that lower-quality green teas offer, especially if you don’t brew it properly.
If you didn’t know, brewing temperature and steeping time are essential for getting a cup of bitter-free green tea.
The aroma of the jasmine blossoms overpowers the flavor of green tea in jasmine tea, and you’ll enjoy the same exquisite jasmine aroma every time without having to add additional sweeteners.
There are different varieties of jasmine tea. Green tea is just that: green tea
The basis of jasmine tea is usually green tea, but that is not always the case. You can find white tea with jasmine (super delicious), black tea with jasmine, and even oolong tea with jasmine, which is not that common.
If you really like a cup of jasmine tea and you haven’t tasted jasmine white tea, I definitely recommend it. You may expect a very unique, sweet, and extremely flowery flavor.
Jasmine vs. green tea flavor profile
The flavor of jasmine tea varies depending on what tea base is used (green, white, black, or oolong), where the tea leaves and jasmine blossoms were grown, and whether it is a traditional or commercial process used for scenting. Nevertheless, the flavor profile of jasmine tea is usually described as sweet and floral.
Green tea’s flavor profile is usually described as grassy, and vegetal, with a hint of bitterness. This changes depending on the type of green tea you choose to drink. There is also a big difference between Japanese and Chinese green teas, but that is the usual description of green tea’s flavor.
Jasmine tea is a good entry-level tea
If you are a newcomer to the world of tea, then jasmine green tea or jasmine white tea are the best choices for you. With its floral and sweet taste, this is a much better choice than regular quality green tea. With green tea, you can expect a note of bitterness, which is not the case with high-quality jasmine tea.
There is always an exception to this. In my opinion, a high-quality Gyokuro green tea is much, much tastier than a jasmine green tea, but it’s all about taste preference.
Caffeine Content of Jasmine Tea vs. Green Tea
The caffeine content of jasmine tea will be the same as the tea used as a base. So, if we’re talking about jasmine green tea, it has the same caffeine content as green tea. If we’re talking about jasmine black tea, it will have the same amount of caffeine as the black tea used as a basis.
Here are the caffeine levels of different types of tea:
- Green tea: 20-50 mg per cup
- Black tea: 40-80 mg per cup
- Oolong tea: 16-55 mg per cup
- White tea: 13-75 mg per cup
Is Jasmine Tea Healthier Than Green Tea?
Jasmine tea is only as healthy as the tea used as a base. So, if you have jasmine green tea, you’re reaping the benefits of green tea. The same goes for white, black, or oolong tea. It all depends on the tea base.
One thing that is a bit different from all the teas that can be used as a base is the jasmine scent. The fragrance of jasmine tea is relaxing; it relaxes the mind and its distinct aroma helps you feel calmer.
The Takeaway
Now you know the difference between jasmine and green tea. If your question is which tea is better for you, the answer will be to try both of them. It all depends on your taste preferences. Opt for jasmine tea if you want a more aromatic, sweet, and floral flavor. Jasmine tea offers all of the benefits of the basic tea (green, black, white, or oolong) with a unique flavor.
In the end, I just want to suggest that it is always better to choose high-quality loose tea over tea bags. Also, follow the brewing instructions because when it comes to green tea, brewing temperature and steeping time play an important role in the final taste. Enjoy your tea, whether it’s green or jasmine!
