MELOR
aka Jasmine
GROW
Propagate: seedings
Light: sunny
Water: once a day
Soil: good drainage
Fertilizer: twice a month
USES
Boosts Energy : The caffeine content of jasmine tea can thus vary depending on which true tea is used as a base, although in general green tea is most common.Switching from coffee to jasmine tea can lower your caffeine intake while still giving you that extra boost to make it through the day. The caffeine in jasmine tea can help you focus better and stay alert.
Weight Loss Aid : Losing weight can be hard, so having a little extra support on your side can make all the difference. Jasmine tea has been shown to aid in weight loss by speeding up metabolism thanks to its use of green tea leaves. A faster metabolism means your body can process nutrients and macronutrients (like fat and protein) quicker, leading to weight loss.
Jasmine tea is a naturally low-calorie beverage so you can drink up without worrying about packing on the pounds. Adding sugar or honey to your tea can increase the amount of calories, so use sparingly.
May Prevent Cancer : Jasmine tea contains high levels of antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are caused by pollutants in food and the environment and can cause irregularities in cells that have been linked to neurological diseases and cancer.
Depending on which tea is used as the base for jasmine tea, you'll reap the benefits of different antioxidants. Jasmine tea made with green tea is high in catechins while jasmine tea brewed with black tea leaves contains high levels of theaflavins.
Jasmine green tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants including epigallocatechin gallate that has been shown to prevent cancer
Relieves Stress : One of jasmine tea's most powerful and simple health benefits is derived from its delightful aroma. Mood depends largely on the state of the five senses and jasmine tea works directly on two of those senses to elevate mood and increase relaxation. Naturally, taste is the second sense targeted by jasmine tea. Jasmine's sweet flavors induce a relaxed state while the fresh finish adds an invigorating essence that can perk you up after a long day. By drinking jasmine tea for stress relief, you're also forced to take a few minutes out of the day to refocus and relax.
Improves Immune System : Like most teas, jasmine tea has high levels of inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to boost the immune system and protect against the common cold and influenza. A healthy immune system can also fight more severe illnesses and infections, making it extremely important to keep immune health at optimal levels. Jasmine tea also has large amounts of vitamins and minerals that boost immune health.
Drinking a cup of jasmine tea can help soothe an upset stomach and delivers vital fluids that are needed to beat a cold or flu quickly. The fragrant aromas can also help you relax and make you feel better when you're under the weather.
Alleviates Aches and Pains : Jasmine green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce aches and pains associated with arthritis or joint pain.
Benefits Skin : Jasmine blossoms and the teas and essential oils derived from it have antibacterial properties and antioxidants that can help keep skin looking its best. While jasmine oils can be used topically on skin for wounds and scars, drinking jasmine tea can also offer excellent skin benefits.The powerful antioxidants and polyphenols in jasmine tea help to slow down the aging process by eliminating free radicals that can cause wrinkles and skin damage. These polyphenols also work to even out skin pigmentation and minimize fine lines. To reap the benefits of jasmine tea for your skin, you can consume 2-3 beverages per day or wash your face using a cooled cup of jasmine tea.
How to Brew Jasmine Tea
Prepare Tea Leaves
If you are using a tea bag, you can jump to the next step. For loose leaf tea varieties, generally use about 2 grams for every 8 ounces of water.
Boil the Water
Jasmine tea is best brewed with pure or filtered water to allow flavors to develop properly. Aim for a water temperature between 160 F and 180 F. Since jasmine tea is made using true teas, boiling the water too hot can result in a bitter taste.
Steep
Jasmine tea should be steeped for anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes depending on how the tea was produced. It's useful to keep the lid on a teapot or tea vessel during steeping to keep heat inside.
A Note on Flavoring
Jasmine tea has a delicate, subtle flavor profile that can be overwhelmed by adding sugar or honey. Most producers of jasmine tea recommend avoiding adding sweeteners to jasmine tea to avoid altering the flavor profile.