JASMINE PARADISE
(China Green Tea)
Country of Origin: China
Region: Fujian Province
Shipping Port: Fuzhou
Grade: Yin Hoa grade 1
Altitude: 1500 - 2500 ft. above sea level
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea delicately scented with jasmine
Infusion: Pale green liquor
Characteristics: A green tea with surprising body and an intense but
captivating floral taste that is not found in any other natural tea.
Ingredients: Premium green tea, Jasmine petals
Information
This Jasmine is an exceptionally well-made tea. The leaves have a very
tight and wiry roll with an over abundance of white mottled tips. The
‘tippy’ nature of the tea signifies a superior tea. ‘Tip’ is only
possible when the estate practices fine plucking and a 3 or 4 day
plucking rotation. The mottled effect is from teas that are plucked in
the first 2-4 weeks of the new season when the days are warm but the
night temperatures are piercingly cool. Further into the season when the
evenings are warm as well, the bush grows 24 hours per day eliminating
the possibility of fine plucking. The quality of this exceptional
Jasmine evokes adjectives such as complex, subtle and mystery from
long-unopened jewelry boxes.
New Jasmine blossoms become available about mid May. The new blossoms
have the most intense fragrance. After the blossoms are layered between
the fine green teas, slightly warmed air is drawn through the layered
tea. The delicate fragrance of the blossoms impart itself on the tea.
Interestingly Jasmine blossoms are used about 9 times. It is only during
the 2nd use of the Jasmine blossoms that this tea made. Each time the
Jasmine is used the flavor becomes less delicate and subtle. The more
common grades of Jasmine contain the flowers. You will note that this
tea has virtually no flower petals, an additional sign of superb
quality.
Hot tea brewing method: When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used
repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about
180’F or 80’C. Place 1 teaspoon in your cup, let the tea steep for about
3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove
the leaves from the cup. Once the water level is low - add more water,
and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at
the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your
fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves,
looking like they are about to be plucked.
Alternatively as with all top quality teas, scoop 2-4 teaspoons of tea
into the teapot, pour in boiling water that has been freshly drawn
(previously boiled water has lost most of its oxygen and therefore tends
to be flat tasting), steep for 2-4 minutes (to taste), stir (virtually
all the leaves will sink), pour into your cup but do not add milk or
sugar since green tea is enjoyed ‘straight-up’.