Green tea and jasmine tea: what is the difference?

Green tea is full of natural flavors, ranging from bright, herbaceous citrus to warm, woody, and almost nutty.

As green tea becomes more popular for its health benefits, people are looking for ways to incorporate it into their day in new ways.

If you are experimenting with different types and flavors of tea, you may have come across jasmine tea and wondered:

What is the difference between green tea and jasmine tea? Green tea is a broad category of teas made from unoxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. Jasmine tea is usually a subtype of flavored green tea made from jasmine flowers. However, jasmine tea can also be based on black or white teas.

In this article, you will learn what exactly green tea is and why it is such a nice and healthy addition to your day.

You will also discover the slight differences between green tea and jasmine tea. With a few helpful tips, you’ll be prepared to try some of the best green tea and jasmine tea options available to you.

What is green tea?

Green tea is a type of moderately caffeinated tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, also known as the tea plant. This makes green tea a “true tea.”

Many infusions are not true teas because they are not made from the tea plant itself. In many cases, tea has become a global term for hot water flavored with various leaves and flowers of plants.

Green tea, oolong tea, and black tea are all made from the same plant. However, the drying process differs between the three types of tea, creating unique flavors.

Green tea is dried immediately or shortly after harvest, creating a fresh, herbaceous flavor. The leaves and buds of green tea are left unoxidized - unlike the leaves from which black and white teas are made - and are usually the least processed tea leaves.

There are many different types of tea plants, creating a wide variety of flavors. Japanese green tea is known for its citrus notes, while Chinese green tea tends to have a more woody flavor with sweet undertones.

Depending on the type and quality of the green tea, the blend may be made exclusively from the leaves or may also include some of the stems to give the tea a more woody flavor.

green tea benefits

Green tea is rapidly gaining in popularity because the more it is studied, the more health benefits are associated with it. Of course, quality makes the difference.

The healthiest teas will be organic and made without artificially added preservatives or flavors.

Some of the benefits attributed to regular consumption of green tea are

• Improved concentration and alertness
• increased metabolism
• Anti-inflammatory response, which reduces the risk of almost all chronic diseases
• Improved oral health
• Heart health, such as lowering blood pressure, balancing cholesterol, and reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease

It is important to note that as healthy as it may be for you, green tea is only useful for all of the above and is not meant to be a single treatment or supplement.

How to prepare green tea

Green tea should never be brewed with boiling water, as the heat can damage the antioxidants, diminishing the health benefits. Instead, let the water cool to 150-180°F after it has boiled.

Each type of green tea has slightly different steeping times, so it’s always best to check the instructions for your specific tea. Some are ready to drink in 30 seconds, while others develop their best flavor after 3-4 minutes.

Green tea turns bitter if steeped too long, so unless you like your tea bitter, it’s best to follow the directions for optimal brewing.

For an even cleaner taste, brew the tea with filtered water. No need to add cream or sugar, although some people like a touch of honey or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

You can also enjoy adding some fresh ginger or lemongrass to your tea.

What is jasmine tea?

Jasmine flowers are small white flowers of the jasmine plant, a type of vine in the same family as olive trees.

The plants are typically grown for the powerful fragrance of the flowers, which is a unique combination of florals and musk.

The flowers can also be used as a flavoring agent, although even in food and drink, aroma is more apparent than taste.

Jasmine adds a subtle, sweet, floral flavor that would be easily overshadowed were it not for its matching fragrance.

Jasmine flowers are primarily used to scent green tea, although you can also find jasmine-enhanced white tea, black tea, and oolong tea.

Jasmine scented tea does not usually contain actual jasmine flowers.

Instead, the tea leaves themselves have been infused with the scent of the flowers, either by proximity in the drying process or through the use of essential oils, extracts, or artificial flavorings.

Jasmine green tea benefits

Since most jasmine teas are only involved in aroma, the health benefits are no different from those of the tea itself.

For example, jasmine green tea will have the same benefits and risks as green tea itself. The same goes for oolong tea, black or white.

Some studies suggest that the fragrance of jasmine can be relaxing, similar to that of lavender. This can be useful for stress relief, although if combined with a caffeinated tea it may not be a good idea to induce sleep.

The other benefit comes from simple enjoyment. If you like the aroma of your jasmine green tea, you are more likely to drink more of it and therefore enjoy the health benefits of the green tea itself.

How to prepare jasmine tea

Jasmine green tea is prepared in essentially the same way as green tea, preferably with water below 200°F.

Jasmine tea requires more careful timing than regular green tea. It needs time to develop its floral aroma to its full potential, but if you steep it too long, not only will the tea be bitter, but the floral fragrance can be overpowering.

Follow the instructions on the packaging to the letter and use your nose to decide when the aroma is strong enough. The flavor will follow.

As with green tea, you don’t need to add cream, but you can also avoid adding citrus or anything else, as jasmine holds up well on its own.

Common myths about green tea

As many turn away from processed foods and seek natural treatments and solutions for health problems, there is a lot of sensational marketing surrounding natural green tea.

We want to make it clear that green tea is not a miracle cure for cancer or heart disease, nor is it a guaranteed solution to weight loss, despite what some online sources may lead you to believe.

Green tea and many other teas have been shown to have some effect on metabolism, but this is often coupled with a healthier diet.

Many people consider it a weight loss benefit, but it’s also important to avoid drinking too much green tea on an empty stomach, as it can negatively affect your blood sugar levels if you’re not careful.

Green tea is also quite acidic, which can cause indigestion in some people. In general, however, green tea is considered safe and healthy for everyone when consumed in moderation.

Related questions

Does jasmine tea help sleep?

The scent of jasmine is very relaxing and is often used in aromatherapy to help calm, soothe, and relax. Fragrance can help you sleep, yes.

However, it’s important to remember that most jasmine tea has caffeine, which can wake up your brain instead of lulling it to sleep.

You can find decaffeinated tea, or you may be able to find dried jasmine flowers that can be used to make an infusion.

Does jasmine green tea have caffeine?

Jasmine green tea has caffeine, yes.

Each brand will have slightly different amounts, but on average, the amount of caffeine you’ll consume in a single cup of jasmine green tea will be between 20-30% of what you’d get in a standard 8-ounce cup of coffee.

There are also compounds in green tea that alter the way your body responds to caffeine. Many people who are very sensitive to coffee can drink green tea without the jitters or the effects of caffeine to a great extent.

How much green tea should I drink?

There is no specific amount of green tea recommended for daily consumption. How much you drink depends on your lifestyle, your biological individuality, and your reasons for drinking green tea.

Many people drink green tea to achieve their weight loss goals. It seems that the best results are obtained by those who drink between 2 and 6 cups a day, but the studies are not consistent or well supported.

As for other health benefits, such as reduced risk of diabetes and improved heart health, three to four cups a day appear to be enough to see benefits.

It’s important to note that if you drink green tea to aid weight loss, you may also want to switch to a healthier diet for the best results.