Jasmine Tea & Health
Generally speaking, jasmine tea is only as healthy as the tea used to make it was before it was flavored. However, there is some added benefit in terms of the relaxing scent of jasmine, which researchers found was akin to the relaxing scent of lavender in terms of lowering heart rate. Additionally, jasmine flavoring may entice people to drink it more often than unflavored tea, and a tea you drink is much healthier for you than a tea that sits in your cupboard! Some people also claim that jasmine acts as an aphrodisiac. (Just when you thought tea was tame!)
Please note that there is some danger associated with drinking large quantities of jasmine tea during pregnancy, and that jasmine tea is best drunk in moderation. Also, while jasmine tea (like many other tea types) is claimed to increase metabolism, it is best to avoid drinking it on an empty stomach, as it is somewhat acidic and can cause stomach discomfort..
Making & Drinking Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is usually best steeped with filtered water that is around 190 degrees Fahrenheit (simmering, not boiling). Three minutes is usually plenty. About one teaspoon per cup of loose-leaf jasmine tea is good, but you can use less tea or more water if you are brewing jasmine pearls (which only take a few pearls per cup) or jasmine flowering tea (one "flower" is enough for a large mug or whole pot of tea).
When drinking jasmine tea, be sure to enjoy its soothing aroma and soft aftertaste. If the aftertaste is astringent or cloying, try a different jasmine tea, lower your steeping temperature or shorten your steeping time. A good quality, well steeped jasmine tea should be light and clean, with an aroma and aftertaste like a fine perfume.
Jasmine tea pairs very well with many foods, so feel free to experiment with jasmine tea pairings!