Nutrition Diet: Is Jasmine Tea Considered Green Tea, and Other Essential Facts?

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

While many assume it's a type of green tea, jasmine tea is actually a scented tea that is not always based on green tea leaves, although this is the most common base. Understanding the process clarifies if is jasmine tea considered green tea and reveals the true nature of this popular beverage.

Quick Summary

Jasmine tea is a scented tea, not a distinct type of tea itself. It is most commonly made by infusing green tea leaves with jasmine blossoms, though other tea bases can be used. The distinct floral aroma is a result of this infusion process.

Key Points

Scented, Not a Type: Jasmine tea is a scented tea, not a distinct variety like green or black tea, with its classification depending on the base leaves used.
Green Tea is the Most Common Base: While a variety of teas can be used, jasmine tea is most frequently made with a green tea base, which is why it is often associated with green tea.
Natural Scenting Process: High-quality jasmine tea is created by layering tea leaves with fresh jasmine blossoms, which naturally infuse the aroma into the leaves over multiple nights.
Shared Health Benefits: The health benefits of jasmine green tea, such as its high antioxidant content, are largely derived from the green tea base it shares.
Aroma Reduces Stress: The fragrant aroma of jasmine blossoms provides unique benefits, including a calming effect that helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Quality Matters: The best jasmine teas use a natural scenting process and are often available as loose-leaf or pearls, with few or no flowers in the final product.
Nutritionally Similar (mostly): From a core nutritional standpoint, unsweetened jasmine green tea is very similar to plain green tea, being calorie-free and rich in antioxidants.

What Defines Green Tea?

Green tea is one of the six main types of tea, all originating from the Camellia sinensis plant. What distinguishes green tea from its counterparts, like black or oolong tea, is its processing. After the leaves are harvested, they are not allowed to oxidize. This is achieved by heating the leaves through steaming or pan-firing shortly after picking. This process preserves the leaves' natural green color, vegetal flavor, and high concentration of antioxidants, particularly catechins like EGCG. The resulting brew is known for its fresh, grassy, and sometimes slightly bitter taste, offering a clean, pure tea experience.

What Exactly Is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is not a type of tea in itself but rather a flavored or scented tea. Its classification depends on the base tea used in its creation. The delicate and fragrant character of jasmine tea comes from the artisanal process of scenting tea leaves with the aroma of fresh jasmine blossoms.

The Scenting Process

The traditional method of creating high-quality jasmine tea is a meticulous, time-consuming process:

Harvesting the Tea Leaves: Tea leaves, usually green or white tea, are harvested in the spring and processed to their base state, then stored until the jasmine flowers are ready.
Harvesting the Jasmine: Fresh jasmine blossoms are picked in mid-summer when their buds are tightly closed. They are kept cool throughout the day until they begin to open at night, which is when they release their most potent fragrance.
Infusing the Aroma: The processed tea leaves are layered with the fresh jasmine flowers in a cool room. As the blossoms open at night, the tea leaves naturally absorb the floral fragrance.
Repeating the Process: For higher grades of tea, the scenting process is repeated over several nights, with fresh flowers used each time, to achieve a deeper, more robust aroma.
Removing the Flowers: After the scenting is complete, the spent jasmine flowers are removed. The remaining tea leaves are then dried again to set the fragrance and remove any absorbed moisture. This explains why many high-quality jasmine teas contain few or no visible jasmine flowers.

Jasmine vs. Green Tea: A Nutritional and Sensory Comparison


Feature	Green Tea	Jasmine Tea
Category	A core category of true tea from Camellia sinensis.	A flavored or scented tea, most often with a green tea base.
Processing	Leaves are heated to prevent oxidation, preserving their natural properties.	Base tea (often green) is scented by layering with fresh jasmine blossoms.
Aroma	Fresh, vegetal, and sometimes grassy.	Highly fragrant, with a distinct floral aroma.
Flavor	Pure, clean, often with a slightly vegetal or bitter note.	Smooth, with a floral sweetness and a pleasant aftertaste from the jasmine.
Health Benefits	Rich in powerful antioxidants like EGCG, linked to heart health, brain function, and metabolism.	Benefits are derived largely from the base tea (if green). The aroma has additional calming, stress-reducing properties.
Caffeine Content	Moderate, depending on brewing time and leaf variety.	Varies based on the base tea (e.g., green, white, or black). Most common versions have moderate caffeine.
Best For...	Those seeking a pure, unadulterated tea experience and maximum antioxidant intake.	Individuals who enjoy a soothing, aromatic, and flavorful floral tea.

The Health Benefits: A Shared Legacy

Because jasmine tea most often uses a green tea base, it shares many of the nutritional advantages of green tea. The potent antioxidants, specifically catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are present in both beverages and contribute to their impressive health profile. These benefits include:

Antioxidant Protection: The high level of antioxidants in the green tea base helps fight free radicals in the body, protecting cells from damage linked to chronic diseases.
Metabolic Boost: Studies suggest that compounds like EGCG and caffeine can help increase metabolic rate and aid in fat burning, which may support weight management.
Enhanced Brain Function: The combination of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine promotes alertness and focus without the jitteriness associated with coffee.
Oral Health: The catechins found in the green tea base can inhibit the growth of plaque-forming bacteria, supporting overall oral hygiene.
Stress Reduction: A unique benefit of jasmine tea is its calming aroma. The scent of jasmine has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

How to Choose the Right Jasmine Tea

For the best nutritional value and flavor, it's crucial to select a high-quality jasmine tea. The best options are scented with natural blossoms, not artificial oils or flavorings. Here’s what to look for:

Natural Scenting: High-quality varieties are scented through the traditional layering process, resulting in a balanced, persistent floral aroma that is not overpowering.
Loose-Leaf or Pearls: Opt for loose-leaf tea or jasmine "pearls" over tea bags. Pearls are hand-rolled balls of leaves that unfurl during brewing, offering a superior flavor and visual experience.
Minimal Flowers: A truly high-quality jasmine tea will have very few, if any, spent jasmine flowers in the final product. Their purpose is to scent the tea, not to remain in the blend.
Reputable Source: Purchasing from a specialty tea shop or a reputable online vendor ensures the use of authentic, traditional scenting methods.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of whether is jasmine tea considered green tea has a nuanced answer: it depends on the base. Most of the time, yes, because a green tea base is the most popular choice for scenting. However, it's not a rule, as white or black tea can also be used. While it shares many of the powerful antioxidant benefits of its green tea foundation, jasmine tea offers the added therapeutic benefit of its soothing, floral aroma. By understanding the traditional scenting process, consumers can better appreciate the subtle differences and choose a high-quality product that aligns with their nutritional goals and flavor preferences. This fragrant and healthy beverage is a delightful addition to any balanced diet.

For further information on the specific health benefits of jasmine green tea, you can consult reputable sources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while a green tea base is the most common, jasmine tea can also be made using white tea, black tea, or oolong tea as the base.

Green tea has a fresh, vegetal flavor, whereas jasmine tea is a scented tea with a distinct floral aroma and a smooth, sweet aftertaste from the jasmine blossoms.

Traditionally, fresh jasmine flowers are layered with dried tea leaves during the night. As the flowers open, they naturally release their fragrance, which is absorbed by the tea leaves over several hours.

Yes, jasmine tea contains caffeine because it is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The exact amount depends on the base tea used and the brewing time.

Because jasmine tea is most often based on green tea, they share many of the same health benefits, primarily from the high antioxidant content. Jasmine tea offers the additional benefit of its calming aroma.

Jasmine pearls are hand-rolled balls of tea leaves (typically green or white) that have been scented with jasmine. They unfurl slowly in hot water, offering a visual and flavorful brewing experience.

For high-quality jasmine tea, the best options often have few or no visible flowers, as they have been removed after the scenting process is complete. The presence of many dried flowers can sometimes indicate lower quality.