The Sweet Sound of Oolong TeaThe Sweet Sound of Oolong Tea
While many teas are sourced from herbal plants, consider the jasmine from which jasmine green tea derives, and the wealth of goodness in this particular variety. Jasmine is grown far and wide for its very pretty flowers and great aroma and now, as an important element in tea.
Jasmine rose to fame sometime during 1000AD blooming tea balls in China, a few centuries after it was introduced from Persia. Some of the really well-known varieties of this tea are Yin Hao (considered to be the most excellent jasmine tea), Dragon Phoenix Pearl and Mo Li Hua Cha (considered to be the most fragrant among them).
Jasmine green tea is made by preparing the base, which of course is green tea. The base could either be oolong or pouching but there are tea artisans that use black tea as well. The tea leaves are picked during the months of April and May and processed and dried and kept till August or September when the jasmine starts to bloom. Proper procedure and timing is observed when harvesting the jasmine blossoms. They must be picked when they are in full bloom and because of this, the flowers are picked mostly at midnight or very early in the morning.
So given the quite complicated and careful preparation, it is good to know that jasmine green tea has many advantages. has polyphenols. This ingredient, normally seen in plants, is responsible for the anti-oxidant substance in tea and it has been known to help fight cancer and other average illnesses by aiding in the excretion of free radicals. It has also been known to help diabetics in lowering blood sugar and reducing high blood pressure too, which in turn helps in the prevention of issues like a heart attack and stroke. It also serves as an anti-depressant especially to those with menopausal or post natal depressions. Jasmine green tea can bring relief in relation to a long term joint or muscle pain too.
While this tea is wonderful drunk by itself of, it is also perfect to pair with favorite food especially those that are robustly flavored. What you get, in other words, when drinking a regular cup of jasmine green tea several times a day, is a healthier and stronger you from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.