Jasmine Flower Tea: How to Brew It at Home
Dried jasmine blossoms steeped at 175°F for a pale, fragrant cup. Which flowers to buy, how long to steep and how to serve it hot or iced.
- 5 minutes
- Caffeine-free option
- Hot or iced
- 2 ingredients
Jasmine flower tea is an infusion of the dried blossoms themselves, not the jasmine-scented green tea sold in most shops. The blossoms need cooler water and a short steep, and the result is a pale gold cup that smells like the flower.
Quick answer
To make jasmine flower tea, steep 2 teaspoons of food-grade dried jasmine flowers in 2 cups of water heated to 175°F for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain, sweeten with a little honey and add a lemon slice. Add 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves for a stronger cup, or serve it over ice.
Pale gold, floral and light.
Jasmine Flower Tea vs Jasmine Green Tea
| Jasmine flower tea | Jasmine green tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Jasmine flower teaDried jasmine blossoms | Jasmine green teaGreen tea scented with fresh jasmine, flowers removed |
| Caffeine | Jasmine flower teaNone | Jasmine green teaAbout a third of a cup of coffee |
| Color | Jasmine flower teaPale gold | Jasmine green teaLight yellow-green |
| Taste | Jasmine flower teaSoft, floral, sweet | Jasmine green teaFloral with a grassy green tea base |
| Water | Jasmine flower tea175°F, 2 to 3 minutes | Jasmine green tea175°F, 2 to 3 minutes |
This recipe makes the flower tea. Adding a teaspoon of green tea leaves gives something close to the shop version.
Which Jasmine Flowers to Use for Tea
Buds should smell strongly of jasmine when the bag is opened.
Food-grade dried buds
Sold as jasmine flower tea or jasmine buds. This is the only kind to brew.
Blooming or open flower tea
Buds tied so they unfurl in the pot. Brew them in glass.
Jasmine pearls
Green tea rolled with jasmine scent. Not flowers, but brewed the same way.
Garden jasmine
Not for tea. Many varieties are not edible and most are sprayed.
How to Make Jasmine Flower Tea
The card is set for 2 cups. Tap 1, 4 or 8.
Jasmine Flower Tea
Dried jasmine blossoms steeped in hot water, with optional green tea and honey. Tap the number of cups and every amount updates.
Makes
Ingredients
Jasmine flower tea
- 1 tsp2 tsp4 tsp2 tbsp + 2 tsp dried jasmine flowers (whole buds)
- 1 cup2 cups4 cups8 cups filtered water
- ½ tsp1 tsp2 tsp4 tsp loose green tea leaves, optional
- ½ tsp1 tsp2 tsp4 tsp honey, or to taste
- 1248 thin lemon slices, optional
Use food-grade dried jasmine. Garden or florist jasmine is not safe to brew.
Instructions
Heat the water
Heat the water to 175°F (80°C). Without a thermometer, bring it to a boil and let it stand 3 to 4 minutes.
Measure the flowers
Put the dried jasmine flowers, and the green tea leaves if using, in a teapot, infuser or heatproof jug.
Pour
Pour the hot water over the flowers so they are fully covered.
Steep
Steep for 2 to 3 minutes. The water turns a pale gold. Longer than 4 minutes and the tea turns bitter.
Strain
Strain into cups or pour through a fine mesh strainer.
Sweeten and serve
Stir in honey to taste and add a lemon slice. Serve hot, or cool and pour over ice.
Tools for Jasmine Tea
A kettle that hits 175°F is the one that matters.
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Brewing Guide
Watch the color: pale gold means done.
| Setting | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SettingFlowers per cup | Amount1 tsp | WhyMore flowers rather than longer steeping for a stronger cup |
| SettingWater temperature | Amount175°F (80°C) | WhyBoiling water makes the blossoms bitter |
| SettingFirst steep | Amount2 to 3 minutes | WhyThe sweet spot for fragrance |
| SettingSecond steep | Amount3 to 4 minutes | WhySame flowers, slightly longer |
| SettingThird steep | Amount4 to 5 minutes | WhyThe last worthwhile cup |
| SettingCold brew | Amount6 to 8 hours in the refrigerator | WhySmooth, never bitter |
Ways to Serve Jasmine Tea
Double strength, then ice.
Hot with honey and lemon
The classic cup.
Iced
Brew with half the water, sweeten hot and pour over ice.
Cold brew
Flowers and cold water in a jar overnight in the refrigerator.
Jasmine tea latte
Strong tea topped with frothed milk.
With fresh mint
A few leaves in the pot with the flowers.
As a base for mocktails
Chilled tea with sparkling water and citrus.
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Result | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| MistakeBoiling water | ResultBitter, harsh tea | InsteadLet boiled water stand 3 to 4 minutes |
| MistakeSteeping too long | ResultAstringent and dull | InsteadStrain at 3 minutes; re-steep for more |
| MistakeOld flowers | ResultFaint flavor | InsteadBuy small amounts and store airtight |
| MistakeGarden flowers | ResultUnsafe | InsteadFood-grade dried buds only |
| MistakeCovering the pot tightly | ResultStewed aroma | InsteadSteep uncovered or loosely covered |
Storage
| What | How | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| WhatDried flowers | HowAirtight, cool and dark | KeepsAbout 1 year |
| WhatBrewed tea, refrigerator | HowCovered glass jar or pitcher | KeepsUp to 3 days |
| WhatCold brew | HowIn the refrigerator, flowers strained out | KeepsUp to 3 days |
| WhatIce cubes | HowBrewed tea frozen in a tray, for iced tea that does not dilute | Keeps1 month |
Jasmine Flower Tea: FAQs
Is jasmine tea just dried jasmine flowers?
Not usually. Most jasmine tea sold in shops is green tea that has been scented with fresh jasmine blossoms, which are then removed. Jasmine flower tea, the kind in this recipe, is an infusion of the dried flowers themselves, with or without green tea added.
What jasmine flowers are used for tea?
Food-grade dried blossoms of Jasminum sambac, sold as jasmine buds or jasmine flower tea. Flowers from a garden plant or a florist should not be used, since many jasmine varieties are not edible and most have been sprayed.
How do you make jasmine tea from dried flowers?
Steep 2 teaspoons of dried jasmine flowers in 2 cups of water at 175°F for 2 to 3 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey if liked.
What is open flower jasmine tea?
Dried jasmine buds that unfurl as they steep, often sold as blooming or flowering tea. They are brewed the same way, usually in a glass pot so the flowers can be seen opening.
Does jasmine flower tea have caffeine?
Jasmine flowers alone are naturally caffeine free. Add green tea leaves and the cup contains the caffeine of green tea, which is less than coffee.
What temperature should the water be?
About 175°F, or 80°C. Boiling water scorches the delicate blossoms and makes the tea bitter.
How long should jasmine tea steep?
Two to three minutes for the first steep. The same flowers can be steeped a second and third time, adding about a minute each time.
Can you reuse jasmine flowers?
Yes, two or three times in a row. The flavor softens with each steep.
How do you make iced jasmine tea?
Brew it double strength with half the water, sweeten while hot, then pour over a full glass of ice. For cold brew, steep the flowers in cold water in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours.
Can you add milk to jasmine tea?
Yes. Brewed strong and topped with steamed milk, it becomes a jasmine tea latte.
How do you store dried jasmine flowers?
In an airtight container away from light, heat and strong smells. They keep their fragrance for about a year.
What does jasmine flower tea taste like?
Lightly sweet and floral, with a clean, slightly grassy finish when green tea is included. It is milder than jasmine-scented green tea.
Where can you buy jasmine flowers for tea?
Tea shops, Asian grocery stores and online tea sellers. Look for whole buds that are pale and intact rather than brown and crumbled.
More Tea and Drinks
Hot, iced and frothed.
Cooler water, shorter steep.
Pin this jasmine flower tea guide for a calm afternoon cup.