[Body]

Alright, let’s talk about makin’ that fancy-smellin’ jasmine tea, you know, the kind they serve in them city restaurants. I ain’t no expert, but I know a thing or two ’bout makin’ tea, been doin’ it since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.

First off, you gotta get yourself some good tea leaves. Now, they say you need that “green tea” stuff, but honestly, any tea will do, long as it ain’t too strong. You don’t want it overpowerin’ the jasmine smell, see? And ‘course, you need them jasmine flowers. Fresh ones are best, but if you can’t find ’em, dried ones work too, just don’t use too many, they can be real strong.

Pickin’ the Right Jasmine Flowers

• If you’re lucky enough to have jasmine growin’ in your yard, pick the flowers in the mornin’, right after the dew dries up. That’s when they smell the strongest.
• Look for flowers that are just openin’ up, not fully bloomed and not still buds. Them’s the ones with the best smell.
• Don’t wash the flowers, you’ll wash away the good smellin’ stuff. Just give ’em a gentle shake to get rid of any bugs.

Now, some folks get all fancy with their tea makin’, but I keep it simple. You got your tea leaves, you got your jasmine flowers, that’s all you need. Some folks layer the tea and flowers, layer after layer, like makin’ a cake or somethin’. I reckon that works too, but I just mix ’em all together in a big bowl. Let ’em sit for a while, let that jasmine smell get into the tea. A few hours is good, but overnight is better. The longer you wait, the stronger the smell.

Steepin’ the Tea

When you’re ready to drink, take a handful of that tea and flower mix and put it in your teapot. Now, don’t go boilin’ the water like you’re makin’ grits. Hot water, yeah, but not boilin’. Scaldin’ hot, that’s what you want. Pour that hot water over the tea and flowers, and let it sit. How long you let it sit depends on how strong you like your tea. I like mine strong, so I let it sit for a good five minutes, maybe even ten.

Strain and Serve

Once it’s done steepin’, you gotta strain it. Nobody wants to drink tea with flower petals floatin’ around in it, unless you’re into that sorta thing. I use a little strainer, pour the tea through it into my cup. And there you have it, jasmine tea, homemade and smellin’ like a summer garden. Add a little sugar if you like, or honey, or nothin’ at all. It’s your tea, you drink it how you want.

Some Extra Tips from an Old Woman

If you’re usin’ dried jasmine flowers, you might need to use less, ’cause they’re stronger than the fresh ones. And if you don’t have a teapot, you can use a jar, or a bowl, or anything that holds hot water. Just make sure it’s clean, you don’t want your tea tastin’ like last night’s supper.

And one more thing, don’t throw away them used tea leaves and flowers. You can use ’em again, maybe not to make tea, but to make the house smell nice. Just put ’em in a little bowl, let ’em dry out, and they’ll make your whole house smell like jasmine. That’s what I do, anyway. Waste not, want not, that’s what my grandma always said.

So there you have it, that’s how I make jasmine tea. It ain’t rocket science, just good ol’ common sense. And it makes a darn good cup of tea, if I do say so myself.

Now go on and try it, you might just surprise yourself. And if you don’t like it, well, you can always try somethin’ else. Life’s too short to drink bad tea, that’s what I always say.

Last words

Remember, the best way to learn is by doing. So don’t be afraid to experiment a little, and find what works best for you. Maybe you like more flowers, maybe you like less. Maybe you like it stronger, maybe you like it weaker. It’s all up to you. You’re the one drinkin’ it, after all.

Tags: Jasmine Tea, How to Make Tea, Green Tea, Tea Recipe, Homemade Tea, Flower Tea, Brewing Tea, Tea Making Guide, Jasmine Flower, Tea Tips