Both jasmine tea and green tea are beloved in China and around the world. But are they the same thing? Let’s explore their origins, flavors, and how to choose.
What is green tea?
Loose leaf green tea is one of the six major types of Chinese tea. Its main difference from oolong or black tea is that it’s non-fermented.
The production steps include Shaqing (kill-green), rolling, and drying—methods that preserve the leaf’s natural green color. That’s why green tea is often described as “clear soup and green leaves.”
China produces over a hundred varieties. Famous ones include Longjing (Dragon Well), Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, and Liuan Guapian.
What is jasmine tea?
Loose leaf jasmine tea is not one of the six tea categories. Instead, it’s a scented tea made by blending tea leaves with fresh jasmine blossoms.
The flowers infuse their fragrance into the tea, producing a lively and long-lasting aroma—earning jasmine tea the nickname “the first fragrance on earth.”
Base teas vary: green, black, oolong, or white tea may be used, though green tea is the most common.
Is jasmine tea considered green tea?
Often yes. In most cases, the jasmine tea you buy is jasmine green tea—jasmine-scented green tea. Examples include Jasmine Longjing, Jasmine Biluochun, and Jasmine Needle King.
Comparison: Jasmine Tea vs Green Tea
| Feature | Green Tea | Jasmine Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Category | One of the six major tea types | A scented tea, usually based on green tea but can use others |
| Processing | Non-fermented; kill-green, rolling, drying | Scented by layering with fresh jasmine blossoms |
| Aroma | Clean, grassy, vegetal | Floral, jasmine-dominant |
| Taste | Fresh, light, slightly bitter | Smooth, floral, sweet aftertaste |
| Caffeine | Moderate | Similar to green tea unless using other bases |
| Regions | Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui | Mainly Fujian (Fuzhou) & Guangxi (Hengxian) |
| Famous Types | Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng | Jasmine Longjing, Jasmine Biluochun, Jasmine Tieguanyin |
| Best For | Pure tea taste & refreshing mouthfeel | Fragrant tea lovers |
| Starter Tip | Green Tea Sampler | Jasmine Sampler |
Recommendations
Jasmine Tea
For beginners, try 3-scent Jasmine Green for a smooth, fragrant introduction. Or explore different scenting levels (3, 5, or 7 sessions) with our Jasmine Sampler for a diverse tea-tasting experience.
6 Jasmine Tea Sampler – Perfect for Tea Enthusiasts
If you’re looking to explore even more exciting jasmine tea varieties, this Jasmine Tea Collection features a beautiful selection of freshly scented jasmine teas:
-
Jasmine Red Tea, Jasmine Mao Feng, Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Jasmine Liu Bao Black Tea, Jasmine Silver Needle, and Jasmine Oolong
-
Each tea is carefully scented with jasmine blossoms, offering an exquisite balance of flavors and floral notes.
-
Eco-friendly PLA biodegradable tea bags and gift-box packaging make this set ideal for both personal enjoyment and gifting.
-
24 tea bags included, each can be re-steeped 2-3 times to enjoy the lingering jasmine fragrance.
-
2025 Spring harvest with sealed freshness, independent packaging, and 100% natural, non-GMO ingredients.
Chinese Floral Tea Collection — Ten Tea, Ten Blessings, One Gift of Fragrance
Why it’s great:
The 10 Flowers Scented Teas box is a fragrant journey through China’s centuries-old tea culture. Each tea is paired with a flower that symbolizes a blessing — jasmine for grace, osmanthus for warmth, rose for love — turning every cup into a small ritual of calm and beauty. The set comes with a beautifully printed culture guide that explains the history and meaning behind each tea, making it an ideal introduction for anyone curious about Chinese flower teas. Thoughtful and elegant, it’s a perfect gift for those who find comfort in slow rituals and aromatic details.
What's inside:
①Jasmine Pearl Tea*2 bags*5g
②Jasmine Liu Bao Tea*2 bags*5g
③Rose Black Tea*2 bags*5g
④Osmanthus Oolong *2 bags*5g
⑤Pomelo Blossom Oolong Tea*2 bags*5g
⑥Gardenia Black Tea*2 bags*5g
⑦Daidai Flowers Green Tea*2 bags*5g
⑧Sticky Rice Aroma Black Tea*2 bags*5g
⑨Pearl Orchid Green Tea*2 bags*5g
⑩Osmanthus Black Tea*2 bags*5g
⑪10 Tea Info Cards
⑫1 Flower Tea Booklet
Green Tea
For beginners, Longjing (Dragon Well) is the ultimate starting point—it’s the most iconic Chinese green tea and a true classic, often loved for its smooth texture, fresh aroma, and signature nutty-bean notes.
If you’d like to explore more than one style, this Green Tea Starter Set is also a beginner-friendly choice. It includes three approachable green teas: Longjing, Huangshan Maofeng, and Jasmine Green Tea, with 20–25g of each tea — enough to taste, compare, and decide what matches your personal preference.
These three teas are also quite forgiving to brew. Whether you use slightly more or less tea, warmer or cooler water, they are less likely to turn unpleasantly bitter. They work well for both hot brewing and cold brewing, making them easy daily green teas for beginners.
