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Green tea · Scented green

Jasmine Pearl

茉莉龙珠, Jasmine Dragon Pearl

7.9/10 editor's score

Green tea rolled into small pearls and scented with fresh jasmine blossoms. Fujian jasmine tea has the best reputation in China.

ScentedFloralFujian
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Jasmine Pearl, top-down

What you need

3 g leafJasmine Pearl
250 ml water75 to 85°C
Steep 2:002 steeps
LiquorPale gold
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)

At a glance

Green tea rolled into small pearls and scented with fresh jasmine blossoms.

CaffeineLow to medium~20 to 40 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring leaf, scented in summerGreen tea picked.
Pairs withDim sum, Fruit, Light dessertsLess good with strong cheese
Grown atFujian hillsFuzhou, Fujian
Served inGaiwan (lidded bowl)Porcelain bowl, lid and saucer

About Jasmine Pearl

What sources say about the taste

Sources say naturally scented jasmine tea is considered superior in aroma to tea sprayed with jasmine essence 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

FuzhouFujianCHINA
Type
Scented tea, usually on green tea 1
Best known
Fujian jasmine tea 1
Scenting
Fresh flowers layered with dry leaf 1
History
Jasmine used to scent tea from about the 5th century 1

More from Fuzhou and China.

History and culture

Jasmine came to China from South Asia via India during the Han dynasty 1.

It is the most famous scented tea in China 1.

Jasmine tea is the local tea beverage of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian 2.

Editor's score

7.9/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.5Origin & heritage: 7.5Availability: 8.5Value: 8.0Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 7.5Flavour 7.5Heritage 7.5Availability 8.5Value 8.0Beginners 9.0Versatility 7.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Jasmine Pearl~20 to 40 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Leaf is picked in spring and scented when jasmine blooms. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Green tea leaf and buds, scented with jasmine blossoms 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Spring buds and leaves.

02Rolling

Hand-rolled into pearls.

03Scenting

Layered with fresh jasmine flowers 1.

04Drying

Dried after each scenting.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafSmall pearls with silvery down.
LiquorPale gold.
After steeping
Wet leafUnrolled buds and leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Dim sum
  • Fruit
  • Light desserts

Best avoided

  • Strong cheese

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

Graded by bud content and number of scentings.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Avoid jasmine "flavour": natural scenting is better 1.
  2. Few or no petals in the tin is normal.
FAQ
Where are the flowers?

Flowers are usually removed after scenting; the scent stays in the leaf 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from ChinaFuzhouScentedFloralFujian

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Jasmine tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine_tea
  2. Wikipedia, "Fuzhou". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzhou
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.