Jasmine tea smells like sitting in a sunlit tea room with delicate white flowers drifting through the steam. It's the ephemeral sweetness of jasmine petals—honeyed and slightly creamy—married to the grassy, mineral freshness of steeped green tea. There's a papery, almost vegetal quality beneath, like dried leaves and the faintest hint of astringency. It's gentle rather than heady, with a whisper of citrus and a powdery finish that feels both calming and quietly luminous.
Jasmine tea originates from China, particularly the Fujian province, where delicate jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac) are traditionally layered with dried green or white tea leaves. The flowers naturally infuse their aroma into the leaves during overnight storage. In fragrance, "jasmine tea" is typically a constructed blend combining jasmine absolutes with green tea extracts and sometimes bergamot or lemon notes. This is mostly achieved through synthetics—molecules like hedione and iso E super—combined with natural jasmine and tea components for authenticity.
Jasmine tea functions as a luminous, softening heart note. It bridges floral and aromatic territories without overwhelming. Perfumers use it to add elegance and a sense of ritual—evoking mindfulness and tranquility. It's particularly valued in fresh, contemporary fragrances as it lifts compositions with unexpected subtlety whilst remaining approachable and wearable.
Surprising harmonies
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Yves Saint Laurent
Zoologist
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Jean Paul Gaultier