Best Method of Growing a Star Jasmine Vine - Follow These Tips For Maximum Foliage and Blooms

This wonderful plant is an evergreen vine that vigorously climbs trees as high as forty feet. To accomplish this feat it hangs on by its roots. During springtime the foliage is a mixture of light and dark green.
The lighter green color is new plant growth.
Soon to follow are small, dainty white flowers which are so pretty. As the flowers develop, they take on a pinwheel or star shape. These small white flowers release a heavenly scent people find irresistible. The star jasmine vines wrap and entwine around virtually any sturdy object. If cut the vine oozes out a creamy white liquid.
The leaves have points, are oval, glossy and thick, and grow to a length of two inches. The star jasmine will climb walls, fences, trees, and virtually any surface it attaches itself to. A dwarf variety is available and frequently used as a ground cover.
Star Jasmine Location:
This jasmine is not a native to the United States; it actually was first grown in China. However, the vine has become a garden favorite in parts of the United States and Europe. When grown in the USA it is hardy from zone 7b to 10.
Star Jasmine Culture Needs:
The jasmine is a hardy plant that can be grown in a variety of soil types including alkaline, acidic, clay, sand, and loam. The durability of the jasmine allows a gardener to grow it almost anywhere in the yard. As for the sunlight requirements of the plant, full sun to part shade is best. It is somewhat drought resistant after it is actively growing.
Best Landscape Uses:

The star jasmine vine is a great choice for covering a bare fence, climbing the side of a home or large tree. Some gardeners grow the plant in a container allowing it to fall over the sides. Its growing habit is similar to ivy, as it can quickly replace dull and unsightly areas with beautiful green foliage and fragrant white blooms.

Jasmine Oil and Its Properties

Jasmine essential oil is extracted from Jasminum grandiflorum and is also known as royal jasmine. It originated from China and northern India. Currently France, Italy, Morocco, Egypt, China, Japan and Turkey are producing the best essential oils. The name Jasmine is derived from the Persian word 'yasmin'. The Chinese, Arabians and Indians used it for medicinal, aphrodisiac and other ceremonial purposes.

The pure jasmine oil is extracted from the small white star-shaped flowers of this evergreen shrub using solvent extraction. The flowers are picked at night, when the aroma is most intense. Jasmine essential oil has a very sweet, exotic, rich floral fragrance and is harmonising, sensual and asserting.
There are well over 100 constituents found in jasmine oil, but the main chemical components are benzyl acetate, linalool, benzyl alcohol, indole, benzyl benzoate, cis-jasmone, geraniol, methyl anthranilate and trace amounts of p. cresol, farnesol, cis-3-hexenyl benzoate, eugenol, nerol, ceosol, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, y-terpineol, nerolidol, isohytol, phytol, etc.
Anti-depressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, anti-spasmodic, cicatrisant, expectorant, galactagogue, parturient, sedative and uterine are the main therapeutic properties.
This wonderful oil is very relaxing and highly beneficial to the emotions. It can be used to balance hot, dry and very sensitive skin types. It is also highly valuable as it greatly helps in boosting confidence and self-esteem of doubtful people.
Jasmine essential oil is used in severe depression as it soothes the nerves, generating confidence and optimism, while revitalizing and restoring energy. It facilitates in childbirth, providing relief in delivery pain. It is also very effective in post-natal depression and promotes the flow of breast milk. Due to its deeply soothing and calming nature, jasmine oil also helps with sexual problems such as impotence, premature ejaculation and frigidity. It also has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, by soothing irritating coughs, hoarseness and laryngitis. It is greatly helpful with muscle pain, sprains, and stiff limbs. Further it aids in dry, greasy, irritated and sensitive skin, stretch marks and scarring.
In short, although expensive, this 100% pure jasmine oil has an exquisite fragrance, deeply relaxes, lifts depression, boosts confidence and eases childbirth. It helps with sexual problems, sooths coughing and improves skin elasticity, reduces stretch marks and scars.
Jasmine oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Due to its emmenagogue properties it should not be used in pregnancy. Excess usage of this oil could impede concentration, as it is deeply relaxing oil. It blends particularly well with Bergamot, Rose oil, Sandalwood oil and all Citrus oils.

Arabian Jasmine Care - 3 Practical Tips For Dark Green Foliage and Fragrant Flowers

The Arabian jasmine is also known as Jasmine Sambac and Hawaiian Pikake. The jasmine has dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers that waft the air with a tropical scent. It has the characteristics of both a bushy vine and vertical shrub. The Arabian Jasmine is classified as a perennial, and will bloom all summer in tropical climates. Here are 3 tips to keep in mind when growing this lovely plant.
Tip # 1 Soil Needs:
Arabian Jasmine will grow best with a high amount of organic matter. Worm castings, peat moss, leaves, grass and other organic material are all good additions to the garden area. Good drainage is important for the plant roots and overall health. Soggy soil can trigger root rot and other fungus disease.
Tip # 2 - Climate needs:
The Sambac Jasmine is a tropical plant that grows best in hot and humid climates. Grow the plant in full or partial sun for best results. They can tolerate shady conditions, but its true potential will not be reached. USDA Zone eight or higher is best. A freeze can severely harm or kill the plant, but they can regrow after such stress
Tip # 3 - Feeding Needs:
Spring through fall is the best time to fertilize. But you don't want to overdo it and harm the plant. Use a balanced, slow release fertilizer or ask your local gardening center for a recommended brand. As it is with many plants, the cooler the weather the less fertilizer needs to be applied.

This jasmine variety is easy to grow. Gardener in the Northern United States have grown the plant successful indoors. In a Southern state like Florida, the Arabian Jasmine grows at a rapid rate outside.

Iced Vanilla Jasmine Tea

If you have been looking for a new type of tea to try as iced tea for your summertime drinking, look no further than one of the quality varieties of Vanilla Jasmine that are available. Vanilla Jasmine has become a drinker's delight in recent years. Not only is this tea wonderfully fragrant and absolutely delicious when iced, but also available in your favorite tea. You can find Vanilla Jasmine in green, black, white, or oolong varieties. This assortment of varieties could be why Jasmine tea is the most popular flavored brew in the world.
By itself, Jasmine tea is quite mild, and very slightly sweet, perfect for serving over ice. When vanilla is added as a flavoring, it makes the drink that much more flavorful, and the coldness of the brew seems to bring out some of the flavor. Vanilla Jasmine is a very natural tea as well. So many of the ready to serve iced teas that you see in stores are flavored, but when you take the time to read the labels - something that very few people think to do, by the way - you see that many of these flavors are not natural in the least!
Vanilla Jasmine is made by carefully hand-picking Jasmine blossoms just at the right moment, which is when they are just starting to bloom. These blooms are then added to tea leaves. But first, the leaves must be properly prepared. Green leaves are dried and steamed, as are the white leaves. Oolong leaves are partially fermented, and then dried. Black leaves are fully ermented. Then, and only then, are the leaves of each variety mixed with the Jasmine blossoms and vanilla beans, plus vanilla extract.
You have four different types of Vanilla Jasmine to choose from, and each one of the different types will have a different taste. You should try each of them before settling on the one that will be your favorite. When it is made from green leaves, it will taste more natural than the other three varieties. The taste will be a bit on the grassy side, a little bit sweet, and very vanilla. The drink will have a lovely jasmine scent that is not at all muted when the tea is served as iced tea.
When you first try Vanilla Jasmine that is made out of white leaves, you might be a bit surprised at the color of the drink. It is very light, almost like slightly colored water, but the taste is nothing like water! You will taste the vanilla and a tiny bit of jasmine flower, and the tea will of course have that distinctive fragrance of jasmine. Oolong Vanilla Jasmine is quite lovely with a subtle taste of flowery jasmine and the rich sweetness of vanilla, plus the scent of the jasmine blossoms.

And, when Vanilla Jasmine tea is made from black tea leaves, it can be a little hard to predict exactly what the tea will taste like. There are quite a few different types of black tea, plus it has a stronger flavor than the other three types of tea. Because of this, the jasmine scent and flavor along with the vanilla will be a bit less noticeable. Black tea seems to make the best Vanilla Jasmine iced tea of all.

The Versatile Jasmine Sambac

Arabian Jasmine is the more commonly used name for Jasmine Sambac. Though the plant is sometimes considered shrubbery (it grows in a bush-like formation), it is actually a vine. Because it is a vine, it will grow along anything stable in the vicinity. The leaves of Jasmine Sambac are dark green and look polished, typically spaced evenly around the vine in sets of two or three. The plant produces small, white flowers that grow huddled together, ranging from two to over a dozen in one bunch. The flowers have an aroma that carries; their scent can be detected from a few feet back.
The Jasmine Sambac plant was likely first discovered in India, but has since become a very sought-after decorative plant across the world. Being a perennial, Jasmine Sambac will carry flowers through all warm temperatures. In the proper climate, it can even bloom all year long. The flowers go through several stages as they mature, first becoming a soft pink color, and eventually turning into fruit that looks like tiny black berries. Don't expect to find berries on your plant, though - they are rarely seen.
Like many jasmine plants, the Jasmine Sambac is relatively easy to cultivate. You must be sure to keeps its soil moist, but be very careful to avoid water logging. Whether you pot or plant your jasmine, you must be careful to place it where it can get enough sun. Without the proper levels of moisture and sunlight, the Jasmine Sambac may not grow as large and full as one would hope, or it could even die. As your jasmine continues to mature, it will need to be watered regularly on warm or hot days, but a little less as the temperature drops and sunlight is less frequent.
Through originating from tropical regions, the Jasmine Sambac is capable of surviving the winter. If planted outdoors, its roots will probably freeze, but it can come right back to life when the weather warms up, so long as proper precautions are taken to protect it during the winter. Mulching well will insulate the roots so that the plant can survive a long or extreme frozen period. One option is to trim young portions of the vine and pot them inside during the colder months. Daily misting will keep the indoor plants healthy just in case the mother plant doesn't survive the colder season.

In lieu of planting your Jasmine Sambac plant in the ground, potting is a wonderful option for display and convenience. With a potted jasmine plant, it can be shown off on a patio or in a yard during the warmer months, and kept safely inside during the colder months. The jasmine fragrance will fill any area with a pleasant scent, whether it lives on your deck or in your living room. The Jasmine Sambac is appreciated across the world, even being used for leis in Hawaii and as the base for tea in China.

Wonders of Jasmine Tea

Tea, nature's 'wonder drug' has many benefits to health. It helps promote good health including protective and revitalizing benefits and longer life. Other benefits include anti-cancer properties, increases metabolic rate, anti-daibetes effect, boosts mental alertness, boost immune system, lower chances of cognitive impairment, lowers stress hormone level and anti depressant properties.
Tea is available in various flavours including chocolate, mint, lemon, spiced, vanilla, green, fruit etc. One of the most popular variety of flavoured is Jasmine.
Jasmine tea is a sweet-smelling variety of tea flavored with jasmine flowers. In addition to providing a rich floral scent, the flowers add a slight note to the tea which is enjoyable. As Jasmine is used to scent and flavor every variety of tea i-e white, black, green and oolong, therefore, regardless of a person's preference in tea, there is a Jasmine tea for everyone.
Origination
Jasmine tea has been originated during the period 960-1279. It is normally based on green tea or white tea. The resulting flavour of jasmine tea is a restrained sweet flavor and it is usually considered as less harsh tea for drinking. Jasmine teas are aromatic with jasmine blossoms, whose thin downy leaves impart into a light green colour of teas with a delicate and sweet flavor.
Tea fragranced with the aroma of jasmine flowers is a specialty of China since the Sung Dynasty ruled i-e over 800 years ago. The jasmine plant was brought into China from Persia in olden times before the third century and was used in teas for fragrance around the fifth century.
Health Benefits
Jasmine tea is a healthy drink. It not only titillates the taste buds but studies reveal that the leaves from this flower have disease preventive properties. It has been noted that it may protect from disease ranging from cancer to lowering elevated cholesterol levels.

What are Good Vanilla Jasmine Tea Blends?

Vanilla jasmine tea is unique among many flavored teas. Because jasmine and vanilla's flavors meld so well with other flavors, good vanilla jasmine tea can be made from any tea variety. There really is no "best" blend of vanilla jasmine tea; it's really more dependent upon your tastes. But, here are some things you can expect from different blends of vanilla jasmine tea.
Black Teas
Vanilla jasmine tea is very often made from black tea. And, of course, there are literally hundreds of different black teas, each with its own unique flavor.
One of the most popular varieties of black tea is Assam black tea. Assam teas are grown in the northeast part of India, along the border to Burma. Vanilla jasmine Assam tea will be bold, but not overly so, and will have a very mellow taste because the typical flavor of Assam tea should blend quite nicely with vanilla. The most notable fragrance will be that of jasmine, which will also add a lingering sweetness to the tea.
Chinese black teas are also very popular for making vanilla jasmine tea. Chinese black teas are very flavorful and are known for getting better with age. The flavor of a Chinese black tea will grow deeper and richer as the tea gets older. A Chinese black tea flavored with vanilla and jasmine will be complex with a variety of flavor notes.
Ceylon black teas, from Sri Lanka may also be used to make vanilla jasmine tea. This black tea is sweet and nutty with a medium body that blends well with the flavor of vanilla. The jasmine scent will be extremely fragrant when combined with Ceylon tea.
Green teas
Though the overwhelming majority of the world's plain jasmine teas are made with green tea, it is less common for vanilla jasmine tea. Vanilla jasmine tea made from green tea will have a very light and natural taste, giving you a true sense of the botanical. The flavor of green teas can vary based on where they're grown and produced. For example, green teas grown in Japan have a much greener and grassier flavor than those grown in China. This is because all Japanese green teas are steamed rather than fired, which protects the original flavor of the tea leaf.
Though there will be subtle difference, you can count on all vanilla jasmine green teas to brew a pale liquor and have a lingering sweet flavor.

Insider's Guide to Chinese Teas - Part 3 Jasmine

Jasmine teas are usually made using Green tea as a base, to which the flowers are added. The floral aroma of a good quality variety is exquisite and as you drink the pale yellow, almost colourless brew, you can just lose yourself in a timeless bubble. This is quite often the most appealing Chinese tea to those of you who are traditional Indian Black tea drinkers. The taste is a subtle sweetness with a persistent floral aftertaste and the aroma is gorgeous. Loose leaf Jasmine is the best. The leaves are an art form in themselves; the makers will twist, curl, roll or even tie the leaves together in a small bunch. In China, tea drinking is done with all of the senses, not just taste, which is why the producers go to such extraordinary lengths.

The very best Jasmine teas are made using leaves that are picked between the middle of March and the end of May and combined with blossom that is picked exclusively during May as that is the time when they are at their most fragrant. Traditional production methods involve layering the leaves and the blossoms so that the flavour and aroma permeates the leaves. Nowadays, the blossoms are usually placed in a stream of hot air to extract the essential taste; the aromatic hot air is then passes through and over the leaves in order to give an intense flavour. The blossoms are then simply added as decoration.

Jasmine tea has been documented for over 800 years and in common with most tea types, has its origins in China. How it was invented is not known, it may have been by accident or design. Unlike most of the other tea types, I have not come across any legends that explain why and how it was created - I am sure there must be some out there!

Since it is normally based on Green tea, Jasmine tea has much the same health benefits as the latter. Green tea is claimed to be good for digestion, your heart and even halitosis! The best documented benefit however, is against cancer. It has high levels of antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This is one of a group of chemicals called flavonoids which are known to destroy the reactive molecules called free radicals (oxidants) that are created in the body. These oxidants are implicated in the formation of cancer and with heart attacks so Jasmine tea is a pleasant way to help your body deal with these. It is not a magic cure-all as some tea sellers would have you believe but when included as part of a healthy lifestyle, it may help. Judging by the research, which really needs to be more extensive and controlled in order to be clinically reliable in my opinion, it is not going to hinder. So for those who are not keen on the sometimes 'grassy' taste of green tea, jasmine is a potentially healthy and tastier alternative.

Tea: Grading Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is the most popular flavored tea in the world. The first jasmine tea was produced in China and made from green tea. Today, however, jasmine flowers are used to scent teas from all over the world, in black, white, green and oolong varieties.
What makes jasmine tea so wonderful is its special blend of high quality loose tea leaves with jasmine petals. The jasmine petals impart a delicate yet very aromatic fragrance and a slightly sweet flavor to the tea.
Jasmine has been produced in China for at least 700 years. The original production of jasmine tea included plucking the jasmine blossoms just as they were beginning to open in the morning. Then the jasmine petals were kept cool until evening when they were added to the green tea leaves.
The jasmine petals were infused with the tea leaves at night because this is the time when the petals release their fragrance. The teas were infused with the jasmine petals multiple times to obtain just the right scent and flavor. Today, the process is more automated, but good quality jasmine tea still depends upon using the best loose tea and infusing it with just the right amount of jasmine blossom.
For the jasmine lover, there are many choices in tea. However, it can be difficult to spot a really good jasmine tea, because interpreting the way teas are graded can be difficult.
First, it’s important to understand that there are no international standards on grading tea. Each country uses their own system, and even different types of tea are graded differently. For example, green teas are not graded the same as white teas.
So, understanding how the jasmine tea you’re considering is graded really means understanding how the tea variety that the jasmine tea is made from is graded. Here are some examples to help make it easier to understand.
Black Tea
Black tea is graded primarily based on how it’s processed. So, while this will tell you the approximate percentage of whole leaves in your tea, and may tell you if it comes from an early or late plucking, it’s not the total picture when it comes to judging the quality of the tea.
Knowing where the tea was grown and how tea is harvested in this part of the world is important, too. In the US, the best black teas are considered whole leaf teas and are designated by the term Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. You should avoid teas marked “dust” as these are typically the lowest grades of black tea.
Green Tea
Green tea is typically graded by the shape of the leaf in China. In other parts of the world, green tea is also usually graded by leaf shape, but different names are used to describe the leaf shapes. Within the leaf shapes, in both China and other countries, you’ll find grades that further break down the quality of the tea.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea from China is graded in a simple manner that is easy to follow and understand. The best oolong tea is referred to as “Fanciest” or “Extra Fancy”, while the lowest grade of oolong tea is referred to as “Common”. Since most oolong tea is produced in China, it’s fairly simple to sort out a good oolong jasmine tea. However, if you buy an oolong tea from another country it could be graded in a totally different manner.
White Tea
White tea’s grading is somewhat simpler, because when the tea leaves were plucked is not part of determining the quality. All white tea is from a first plucking, because there is only one plucking of white tea during each growing season. Therefore, choosing a quality white jasmine tea from China simply means choosing one of the two highest grades of white tea, Silver Needles or White Peony.
However, if you choose a white Ceylon jasmine tea or a white Darjeeling jasmine tea, the grading will be totally different.
To choose a good jasmine tea, begin by determining whether you want a white, green, black or oolong jasmine tea. If you’re new to drinking jasmine tea, it’s likely best to begin with a Chinese green jasmine tea, as this tea represents the true essence of the jasmine tea.
Once you’ve sorted out the variety of tea you’d like to try and the country of the tea’s origin, simply look for this tea from a quality tea store. If you can’t find the combination you’ve chosen at a good tea store, then it’s likely that very good qualities of this particular combination are difficult to find.
Keep looking until you find a combination that can be purchased from a reputable tea purveyor. This way you’re assured of the quality of the tea, even if the combination was not what you had originally planned.

It’s hard to go wrong with jasmine tea. The scent is soothing and light and the delicate sweetness complements any variety of tea. It’s no wonder that every country that produces tea makes this delightful beverage. The hard part is figuring out which jasmine tea you like best!

What is Vanilla Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is the most popular flavored tea in the world. Chinese tea gardeners have been producing this delicacy for at least 700 years. Though jasmine tea is already considered a blend, it is often used as the base for additional blends because of the popularity of the jasmine tea base. Jasmine tea is mild and slightly sweet, making it perfect for combining with other flavors, like vanilla.
Jasmine tea is created by plucking the jasmine blossoms just as they are beginning to bloom and adding them to the tea leaves at night to ensure the best infusion of the aroma and fragrance. In most cases, green tea is used as the base for jasmine tea. To make vanilla jasmine tea, the tea is infused with vanilla bean or vanilla flavoring after the infusion of the jasmine blossoms. While vanilla jasmine tea is most often made using green tea, it can be found in black, white and oolong tea varieties, too. The type of jasmine tea used for the base will affect the flavor, caffeine content and health benefits of the vanilla jasmine tea.
While China is still the largest producer of jasmine tea, in part because the Chinese are such large consumers of all varieties of jasmine tea, you can find vanilla jasmine and other jasmine teas produced in nearly every tea producing country in the world. There are Formosa vanilla jasmine teas from Taiwan, Darjeeling and Assam vanilla jasmine teas from India and Ceylon vanilla jasmine teas from Sri Lanka.
Black Vanilla Jasmine Tea - Vanilla jasmine tea made from a black tea base will have a bold flavor and produce a rich liquor. You'll find this tea to be complex in flavor, with many variances, depending upon the variety of black tea used as the tea base. This is a sweet blend of tea, perfect for serving with dessert. Black vanilla jasmine tea will have the most caffeine of any vanilla jasmine blend.

Tea: Drinking Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is the most popular variety of flavored tea. This is, in part because Jasmine has been used to scent and flavor every variety of tea: white, black, green and oolong. So, no matter your preference in tea, there is a Jasmine tea for you.
Jasmine tea dates back to the Sung Dynasty.
To make this delicious blend, tea artisans plucked jasmine blossoms just as they were beginning to open. Then the petals were stored in a cool place until nightfall, when the blossoms began to release their fragrance. They were then added to dry green tea leaves, to allow the dry tea leaves to absorb the fragrance. Ordinary grades of tea were scented two or three times; the special grades even more.
Today, most jasmine tea is still made with green tea, though the process is no longer carried out by hand. Most believe that the Fujian region of China produces the best jasmine tea because it is this area of China that produces the largest and most heavily scented jasmine blossoms and the loosest green tea leaves.
The looser the tea leaves, the better they are able to absorb the jasmine fragrance. The first plucking of green tea will produce the best jasmine tea because the leaves are at their tenderest.
While the majority of jasmine tea is green tea, there are also quite a few white and oolong jasmine teas. White tea, in particular, lends itself quite well to being combined with jasmine because both offer a sweet and subtle flavor and fragrance.
Oolong jasmine teas are smooth with the fruity taste that is common in oolong tea. However, the jasmine also makes the tea fragrant and sweet. You’ll find oolong jasmine tea to have one of the most distinctive flavors of any jasmine tea.
And, for the die hard black tea drinker, there is also black jasmine tea. This variety can be a bit harder to find than other varieties of jasmine tea. Because black tea has a stronger flavor than other varieties of tea, the jasmine flavor is less noticeable when it is combined with black tea. Still many black tea lovers who favor lightly flavored teas find this blend very appealing.
Regardless of the variety of jasmine tea you choose, you should make the time and effort to brew the tea correctly to ensure the best flavor. First, begin with the best loose tea. The best way to ensure that you get good tea is to purchase it from a reputable tea shop whether in your local area or online. Really good tea may cost a bit more, but its quality is unmistakable.
Brewing good tea requires fresh cold water. Put the water in a clean tea kettle and bring it to a boil on the stove. Meanwhile, put hot tap water in your teapot to warm it up while the water is heating. Once the water boils, remove the tap water from your pot and add your tea leaves. For white jasmine tea, use about 2 teaspoons of loose tea per cup. For other jasmine teas, you’ll only need about 1 teaspoon per cup. Follow the table below to choose the appropriate water temperature and steeping time for your jasmine tea.
Tea VarietyWater TemperatureSteeping Time
Black JasmineBoiling 3-5 minutes
White Jasmine185°F 5-8 minutes

Green Jasmine160°F 1-2 minutes
Oolong Jasmine Boiling 2-3 minutes
Adhering to the appropriate water temperature and steeping time is critical for making good tea. Too much steeping and your tea will be bitter; too little and the tea will be thin and weak. Water that is too hot for delicate teas like green and white will compromise the tea’s light flavor.

sider's Guide to Chinese Teas - Part 3 Jasmine

Jasmine teas are usually made using Green tea as a base, to which the flowers are added. The floral aroma of a good quality variety is exquisite and as you drink the pale yellow, almost colourless brew, you can just lose yourself in a timeless bubble. This is quite often the most appealing Chinese tea to those of you who are traditional Indian Black tea drinkers. The taste is a subtle sweetness with a persistent floral aftertaste and the aroma is gorgeous. Loose leaf Jasmine is the best. The leaves are an art form in themselves; the makers will twist, curl, roll or even tie the leaves together in a small bunch. In China, tea drinking is done with all of the senses, not just taste, which is why the producers go to such extraordinary lengths.
The very best Jasmine teas are made using leaves that are picked between the middle of March and the end of May and combined with blossom that is picked exclusively during May as that is the time when they are at their most fragrant. Traditional production methods involve layering the leaves and the blossoms so that the flavour and aroma permeates the leaves. Nowadays, the blossoms are usually placed in a stream of hot air to extract the essential taste; the aromatic hot air is then passes through and over the leaves in order to give an intense flavour. The blossoms are then simply added as decoration.
Jasmine tea has been documented for over 800 years and in common with most tea types, has its origins in China. How it was invented is not known, it may have been by accident or design. Unlike most of the other tea types, I have not come across any legends that explain why and how it was created - I am sure there must be some out there!
Since it is normally based on Green tea, Jasmine tea has much the same health benefits as the latter. Green tea is claimed to be good for digestion, your heart and even halitosis! The best documented benefit however, is against cancer. It has high levels of antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This is one of a group of chemicals called flavonoids which are known to destroy the reactive molecules called free radicals (oxidants) that are created in the body. These oxidants are implicated in the formation of cancer and with heart attacks so Jasmine tea is a pleasant way to help your body deal with these. It is not a magic cure-all as some tea sellers would have you believe but when included as part of a healthy lifestyle, it may help. Judging by the research, which really needs to be more extensive and controlled in order to be clinically reliable in my opinion, it is not going to hinder. So for those who are not keen on the sometimes 'grassy' taste of green tea, jasmine is a potentially healthy and tastier alternative.

Here in the west, many other flavoured teas have been developed, for example mint tea. These are not authentically Chinese and often disguise the fact that the tea is stale. That is fine if you are not serious about tea however to experience this beverage in its full glory, buy it loose, fresh and unadulterated. It can be difficult to find top quality brands if you live outside of a big city, but that is where the internet comes in. There are many retailers of this wonderful product online, however choose carefully. Pure, loose and organic is the best but not the cheapest. If you do buy the cheapest that you find, you really will be missing out.

Jasmine Essential Oil For Aromatherapy

A sturdy evergreen shrub of bright green leaves with white star shaped flowers, Jasmine with sweet and floral aroma, native of Asia and Africa is one of the oldest and widely used scented flower.
Jasmine flower blooms only at night hence they hand picked at night time only. Being the most delicate and extremely fragile, jasmine essential oil is steam distilled from its flowers. Huge quantities of jasmine petals are required to prepare one ounce of essential oil, hence is rare, extremely valuable and highly sought after oil.
Jasmine is preferred for its powerful characteristics that assist the body as an anti depressant, an aphrodisiac and confidence boosting qualities. The Chinese drink jasmine tea daily and use it to cleanse the air in sick rooms while Egyptians use it to relieve nervous disorders, insomnia and headaches.
Jasmine known to have aphrodisiac powers was used in different cultures in various ceremonies. The sensuously rich and exotic aroma of jasmine based massage oil can certainly be relied upon to evoke a romantic mood.
Jasmine oil despite being expensive is worthy for the skin. It encourages cell growth; increases skin elasticity and aids in healing minor to moderate burns. It is especially effective for people suffering from symptoms of apathy and fatigue as it helps in reducing fears. It also helps with muscle spasm and sprains.
Jasmine with its many healing properties acts as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent and a sedative. It is considered as base oil for blending with other essential oil. When blended with herbs like Clary sage, geranium, lemon balm, rose, rosewood and sandalwood, it promotes the body’s natural way of healing, making it indispensable in the world of aromatherapy.
Jasmine essential oil when massaged on the abdomen during the later stages of labour strengthens uterine contractions and relieves pain.
For stimulating bath oil, try this oil - 1/2 cup soy oil, 5 drops of jasmine essential oil, 3 drops of juniper essential oil and content from 4 - 5 vitamin E capsules.
Indulge your self with a massage, blend the following ingredients well - 8 tsp grape seed oil, 6 drops of jasmine essential oil, 2 drops each of tea tree oil and neroli oil. Before application warm the oil.
To create soothing and refreshing hair oil for scalp, blend 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops clary sage, and 2 drops jasmine absolute to 1/2 ounce base oil.

Honey Jasmine Tea and Peach Jam

I keep meaning to slow down. I *want* to slow down, I really do. All those prenatal exercise videos keep staring at me and my prenatal clinic keeps reminding me about signing up for labour preparation classes (like I need a reminder of how it’s going to go – its labour! It’s long. It’s painful. It’s not for the faint of heart, but you get a cool present at the end.)
So, I jokingly blame canning and preserving bloggers for keeping me from nesting. Particularly bloggers much further south of me that come into their fruit season a good 3-4 weeks ahead of me. I’m taunted by some drool-worthy food photography and the most incredible sounding recipes with bold combinations that I just keep squirreling away until my turn arrives. Everyday I seem to be canning just one more preserve, while I tell myself that eventually I’ll get around to preparing for 2.0′s arrival (in a way, I am preparing, right?!) Besides, I’d take a well stocked preserves pantry over a pristine nursery any day!
So, I present this gem of a jam – Honey Jasmine Tea and Peach Jam. Initially inspired by Buffy and George’s recipe for Peach Jam with Honey and Earl Grey Tea, my jam is a riff on theirs and makes use of an ingredient I’ve been longing to try for years: loose leaf tea. I loved the colour of their jam and how the brightness of the peach was still intact and yet the subtle tea flavour still shone through. If you haven’t tried preserving with tea, give it a whirl. This jam had the lovely aroma and flavour of green tea, without being too tannic or punchy. It was delicious on an afternoon scone and I think the floral peach and Jasmine tea combo is a winner.

Madagascar Jasmine Flower

Stephanotis floribunda is the botanical name of the plant that is more commonly known under the names of Madagascar Jasmine, Waxflower, and Hawaiian Wedding Flower.
It represents the milkweed family. On tough stems it produces deep green leather-like leaves, growing paired between certain spaces along the vine.
Stephanotis floribunda is capable to attain the height from 2 to 6 m. This climber bears attractive white-colored blooms in the shape of trumpet or star. The waxy blooms are notable by strong fragrance and are nearly 3cm in length. Being borne in clusters they are formed in summer. They turn into yellow after a couple of days.
Madagascar jasmines are loved components of a lot of floral arrangements, corsages and decoration, widely used in the bridal bouquets and planted to serve as the gardening flowering plants.
The genus name Stephanotis is derived from two Greek words that are ‘stephonos’ for ‘crown’ and ‘otos’ for ‘ear’. A 'crown of ears' name refers to the bloom trumpet surrounded by 5"ears."

The characters of Jasmine Water

Jasmine water is commonly referred to as Echinodorus Paleafolius. The equation with jasmine flowers were both white and grow a row on a long stalk in the number of multiple florets. For the difference, but this plant likes water, so to grow better in pots that are not perforated so that water is always flooded. Jasmine flowers will bloom with water alternately in the morning, but after that it will bud again. Usually the scars of the flower buds grow smaller plants that can then be separated as a new crop.
　His interest does not require extra handling because it is easy to interact with the surrounding air, but always need water for the medium. In order remain lush jasmine flower water can be in love d fertilizer regularly, do not sprinkled on the surface of the water but use a pipe, then insert the skewers into the soil and fertilizer, and do not be too much of any provision of this fertilizer.
If you want to reproduce this plant can be a way to take existing tillers or stems that there are approximately roots and live cattle and cultivate. But the problem of losing the same scent of jasmine flowers usual. There are also other types of local water Jasmine Jasmine is the Bangkok Air. Jasmine, the difference is: the leaves are thicker and rounded, larger and stronger stems, tall / large plants can reach 2 meters or more, more recalcitrant plants to weather.
Jasmine water is different from the usual jasmine flowers, fragrant scent of jasmine flowers that live on land not owned by jasmine water. In a previous article, has described the jasmine, to know the difference, please read the article jasmine.

Jasminum sambac

Arabian jasmine is a bushy vine or scrambling shrub with shiny dark green leaves and fragrant little white flowers. Some of the evergreen leaves are in whorls of three and others are in opposite pairs. The long, angular shoots twist and twine as they clamber and sprawl over and through any support they can find. The waxy snow white flowers are about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, borne in clusters of 3-12, and intensely fragrant. They fade to pink as they age. Arabian jasmine blooms throughout the summer - and almost continuously in warm climates. The fruits are small black berries, but are seldom formed in cultivation. By far, the most common form of Arabian jasmine in cultivation is 'Grand Duke of Tuscany' (sometimes called 'Flore Pleno'), which has double flowers that look like miniature gardenias. Expect an Arabian jasmine to grow no more than 6-10 ft (1.8-3.1 m) high and just as wide in frostfree areas; smaller when it has to regrow from roots following a winter freeze.
Location
Arabian jasmine has been in cultivation for centuries - so long, in fact, that its origin has been forgotten, but it was probably India, where today it is one of the most commonly cultivated ornamentals.
Culture
Arabian jasmine, like most of the other jasmines, is very easy to grow in almost any moist, but not waterlogged soil.
Light: Arabian jasmine likes full sun to partial shade.
Moisture: Supply plenty of water during the summer growing season, but reduce watering in winter.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9 - 11. Although this is a tropical plant, Arabian jasmine can be grown outdoors in zones 8 and 9, where it will freeze to the ground in winter, but return from its roots in spring. Just be sure to mulch the plant well before the freezes get real bad. The downside is that it takes so long for the plant to regrow after freezing to the ground you don't get any flowers until late in the year - August or September, usually.
Propagation: Arabian jasmine is easy to propagate from semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer, especially if you can keep them under intermittent mist for a couple weeks.
Arabian jasmine
Arabian jasmine makes a great container plant for the patio where its fine fragrance can be easily enjoyed.
Usage
Arabian jasmine is often grown in a pot, on the patio or deck in summer and brought indoors in winter. Prune frequently to maintain a desirable shape. In frostfree climes, grow this fragrant beauty in mixed hedges or allow to sprawl in masses or as a specimen plant, pruned to a compact shrub. Here at the Christman homestead, we have an Arabian jasmine in a big pot on the front porch - where we can smell its sweet perfume whenever we walk by.
The dried flowers of Arabian jasmine are used by the Chinese to flavor jasmine tea. In Hawaii they use the flowers in leis. In India they're used in garlands, and Arabian jasmine is the national flower of the Philippines.

The Jasmine flower

Let us see a few facts about the Jasmine Flower. The botanists have discovered nearly three hundred species of jasmine flower. Yet only three of them are most commonly seen being the white, yellow and Japanese varieties. These plants could grow up to a height of fifteen feet and are very good vine climbers. Flowering in jasmine mainly takes place during the summer or spring and what is more special is, they flower mostly at nights. Opening up at nights, they drive away the dullness by their bright color. This flower has a lot of significance and meaning in different areas. For instance at China, this flower is the best emblem of feminine kindness. In other areas, the usual meaning of this flower is to indicate grace, cheerfulness, sensuality and delicacy. Its great aroma makes it ideal to be used for romantic purposes too and also there is a belief that they could bring in wealth.

Jasmine Flower Tea

asmine Flowers. Going back over one thousand years, the conventional tea scenting methods are still used in order to make this tea special one. Fragrant organic jasmine flower tea buds are used to scent the most loving natural green tea leaves and buds then rolled with hands in the form of small pearls. Superb in flavor, taste and aroma, and apparently to increase circulation, reduce cholesterol and ease tension.

All my faculties are aroused and enlivened by taking a few sips of Jasmine flower tea. Jasmine flower tea Dragon Pearl green tea is selected from the misty mountains. Then, following eight hundred year old tradition, the tea pearls undergo a lengthy three fold process that exploits equivalent weight of newly opened flowers to instill the memorable scent of jasmine flower tea blossoms into the leaves.

Green tea is simply processed. As regards to the fact that green jasmine flower tea tea is beneficial for the people, it can only be proposed that for most of the people it is not bad. The jasmine flower tea is liable to make the green tea taste sweeter and the fragrance is surely an incentive to drink it.

Jasmine Flower

The elements of herbs and plants have been used for hundreds of centuries by many cultures. Their use has always been a combination of medical and spiritual applications, and the natural characteristics of each herb or plant are outlined by their application, whether for physical or genial healing.

The jasmine plant has long been a favorite of many people in the areas of the world where it thrives, often because of the beauty of the small flowers that only bloom in the evening when the temperature cools. Jasmine flower tea is another(a) pop use of this “gift of God” – the Arabic definition of the word – for its very pleasing aroma as well as its healing properties. Jasmine flower tea has been used in Asia for centuries non only for its sinful redolent qualities but for its calming, sedative properties.

The making of flowering tea is an old tradition that combines the beneficial aspects of herbal tea with the added attraction of watching desiccated flowers come to life when placed in heated water. Jasmine flower tea is one of the more popular plants to use, and the small flower buds create an interesting visual display as they release their fragrant and homeopathic essence.

The art of making flowering tea is a well-respected craft that has been handed down through many generations of Chinese artisans. Carefully selected combinations of flowers and other flora ar woven together in a time-honored tradition to create a unique show of regeneration, as the flowers spring to life in the water during the steeping process.

These skilled artisans are very adept at weaving these elements together in a specific manner to allow the buds they create to unfurl in just the right way. The desiccated buds that ar the result of their handiwork can be used individually in a tea cup, or several can be combined in a teapot. The resulting visual show is often considered to be as important as the botanic benefits of the plants and flowers themselves. The symbolic genesis that takes place can serve as a method of prayer and worship of the “gift of God” that jasmine flower tea provides.

This ancient art form has become more comprehended around the world in modern times. The making of flowering tea has been part of a growing understanding of the importance of using the plants and flowers that ar omnipresent in nature for nutritional support, for healing, and for the physiologic benefits that these elements provide.

The increasing interest in studying the regenerative role that herbs and plants play in human health has led to a better grasp of their beneficial qualities. The importance of antioxidants is understood more today as skill and ethnic tradition begin to find a common ground in the study and application of the many natural characteristics found in the botanical world. The power of herbs, flowers, and plants to support continued good health when they are included in a daily dietetic program is founded in solid scientific research as well as the traditions of folk cognition that has stood the test of time.