Jasmine Dragon Pearls
A jasmine tea was one I always knew I wanted in the collection; they are a classic, and for good reason. I chose these hand-rolled pearls because they are the traditional way of scenting a tea with jasmine, and it is a lovely thing to watch happen in the cup.
Here is how they are made. Green tea is picked in spring in Fujian, China, and hand-rolled into small pearls, each one showing plenty of silver bud. The pearls are then stored until the jasmine blooms later in the summer. Once it does, the fresh flowers are layered over the tea overnight so the leaves absorb their scent; in the morning the spent flowers are shaken away, and that night it is done again with a fresh picking. The layering is repeated up to ten times, until the scent is just right. The pearls unfurl back into whole leaves as they brew.
The result is a loose-leaf green tea with a soft, sweet, floral character, where the jasmine is present but never overpowering. It is lovely after a meal, and it makes a beautiful cold brew; several customers tell me it is their favourite way to drink it in summer. Because it is a green tea at heart, it does contain caffeine.
"Beautifully rolled pearls which unfurl nicely to deliver the most gorgeous, delicate yet heady jasmine notes on the infused leaf. The clear gold liquid relays a wonderful sweetness alongside delicate yet impactful jasmine - still not cloying. Wonderfully well judged." - Great Taste Awards 2025 (1 Star)
A Great Taste winner in both 2019 and 2025.
How to brew Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Brew at 80°C for 2 minutes; the cooler water is the key to it. Too hot and you scald the delicate green tea, tipping the balance so the jasmine no longer sits comfortably alongside it; at 80°C the two sing together. Use a scant teaspoon per cup, and adjust to taste. A glass teapot is my favourite for jasmine pearls: it doesn't hold too much heat, and you get to watch the pearls unfurl as they steep. These are whole tea leaves, so you will want a strainer. For a cold brew, add a little extra leaf to cold water and leave it in the fridge for a few hours.
Ingredients || Luxury Green Tea
Warning, packed in an environment that contains nuts
Caffeine || Yes
Tasting Notes || Floral, sweet and refreshing
Brewing Notes || 80ºC, brew for 2 minutes