Detailed Explanation of the Scenting Process of Jinhua Jasmine Tea
Jinhua jasmine tea, abbreviated as Jinhua scented tea, is produced in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, and is made by scenting refined tea with jasmine flowers. It has a production history of more than three hundred years. It is one of the main production areas of scented tea currently sold to the international market in our country. Its varieties include Jasmine Maofeng tea, Jasmine Hongqing scented tea (divided into grades 1 to 6), and Jasmine Chaoqing scented tea (divided into grades 1 to 6), with Jasmine Maofeng having the best quality.
The famous production area of jasmine is in Luodian Township, Jinhua City. The soil, rainfall, and climate there are all suitable, and it is further irrigated by the clear spring water of Shuanglong Cave. In addition, there are many experienced flower growers locally who cultivate carefully, so not only is the yield abundant, but the quality is also excellent, with advantages such as round heads, large grains, plumpness, whiteness, glossiness, and high aromatic content. When used to scent tea, the flavor is outstanding.
The scenting process of scented tea: first refine the crude tea to provide a high-quality tea base for scenting the scented tea. Before scenting, first dry the tea base to reduce the moisture content of the tea leaves to 4-5%, then naturally cool to 30-33°C, and begin scenting with flowers. The proportion of tea to flowers is determined according to variety and grade. For example, for high-grade Jasmine Maofeng, every 100 kg of tea leaves is matched with 150 kg of jasmine flowers. After repeating flower scenting 6 times, the final steps of enhancing fragrance, removing flowers, and evenly blending and packing into boxes produce the finished product. Scented tea processing has high technical requirements, and it is necessary to grasp the 3 important links of fresh flowers releasing fragrance, the tea base absorbing fragrance, and re-firing to preserve fragrance, and attention must be paid to the unique requirements of "dry, cool, even, and fast" in the scenting process.
The characteristics of Jasmine Maofeng tea are: silver pekoe visible all over, buds, leaves, and flowers tightly rolled; the color is yellow-green with a translucent emerald tone, and the liquor color is golden and clear; the tea fragrance is rich and lofty, and the taste is fresh, brisk, sweet, and mellow; flag and spear alternate in the cup, and the shape is elegant and natural. Drinking this tea not only has the health benefits of tea for the human body, but also has the pharmacological effects of jasmine flowers.