A glass cup of freshly brewed jasmine tea with a golden hue, surrounded by delicate dried jasmine flowers on a white background.

Jasmine vs Green Tea: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Better for You?

Written by: Camille Liu

February 22, 2025

Time to read 5 min

Introduction

Tea has been an essential part of cultures around the world for centuries, offering a combination of rich flavors, soothing aromas, and numerous health benefits. Among the most popular tea varieties are green tea and jasmine tea, both of which are widely enjoyed for their refreshing taste and wellness properties. However, many people are unsure about the difference between jasmine and green tea and often wonder which one is the better choice.

One of the most important distinctions to note is that jasmine tea is not a separate tea category but rather a scented tea that typically uses green tea as its base. While some variations of jasmine tea can use black, white, or oolong tea, jasmine green tea is by far the most common. This article will explore the difference between green tea and jasmine tea , focusing on aspects such as flavor, aroma, caffeine content, health benefits, processing methods, and brewing techniques to help you make an informed decision about which tea best suits your preferences.

What Is Green Tea?

Green tea is one of the oldest and most widely consumed teas in the world. Originating in China and later spreading to Japan, it is produced from unoxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which helps retain its natural green color and high antioxidant content.

Common Types of Green Tea

There are many varieties of green tea, each with distinct flavors and characteristics. Some of the most popular include:

Sencha (Japan) – A well-balanced green tea with a vegetal and slightly sweet taste.
Longjing (Dragon Well, China) – A smooth, nutty green tea with a hint of chestnut flavor.
Gunpowder Green Tea (China) – Tightly rolled green tea leaves that offer a strong, smoky taste.
Matcha (Japan) – A finely ground green tea powder that is rich in antioxidants and provides a bold, umami flavor.

Green tea is known for its light, grassy, and slightly astringent taste, making it a refreshing beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

A traditional Chinese porcelain teacup filled with freshly brewed jasmine green tea, with a delicate jasmine flower floating on the surface, placed on a rustic wooden table.

What Is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is a scented tea, not a distinct tea category. It is made by infusing tea leaves with the fragrance of fresh jasmine flowers, resulting in a delicate floral aroma that enhances the overall tea-drinking experience. The tea leaves used in jasmine tea can be from different tea types, but the most common and widely available version is jasmine green tea, where green tea serves as the base.

The Process of Making Jasmine Green Tea

The production of jasmine green tea follows a specialized process that involves multiple steps to ensure that the tea absorbs the floral fragrance of jasmine flowers:

Harvesting the Tea Base – The tea leaves (usually green tea) are picked, processed, and dried.
Layering with Jasmine Flowers – Freshly bloomed jasmine flowers are placed on top of the tea leaves, allowing the natural floral oils to be absorbed.
Repetition for Enhanced Aroma – The scenting process is repeated multiple times to intensify the fragrance.
Final Drying – The tea is dried again to lock in the jasmine aroma, ensuring that the floral essence is well-preserved.

The final product is a beautifully aromatic tea that combines the fresh, grassy notes of green tea with the delicate floral scent of jasmine.

A clear glass cup of jasmine tea with floating jasmine flowers, placed on a wooden surface with fresh jasmine blossoms and leaves, set against a softly blurred green garden background.

Jasmine vs Green Tea: Key Differences

Now that we understand the basics of both teas, let’s examine the difference between green tea and jasmine tea in terms of taste, caffeine content, health benefits, processing, and brewing techniques.

1. Flavor and Aroma

Green Tea: Offers a naturally fresh, grassy, and slightly astringent taste. Some green teas, such as Longjing, have a nuttier and smoother flavor, while others, like Sencha, lean towards a more vegetal and umami profile.
Jasmine Green Tea: Has the same fresh and grassy base as green tea, but the infusion of jasmine flowers adds a delicate floral sweetness, softening the astringency of the green tea and providing a more aromatic experience.

If you enjoy a pure, refreshing taste with a hint of natural bitterness, green tea may be the better option. However, if you prefer a smoother, floral tea with a pleasant fragrance, jasmine green tea would be an excellent choice.

2. Caffeine Content

Green Tea: Contains around 30-50 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the variety and steeping time.
Jasmine Green Tea: Typically has a slightly lower caffeine content than pure green tea, as the scenting process can reduce some of the caffeine strength.

Both teas contain significantly less caffeine than coffee, making them a good choice for those who want a mild energy boost without the jitters associated with high-caffeine beverages.

A wooden bowl filled with dried jasmine green tea leaves, adorned with fresh jasmine flowers, surrounded by green leaves and scattered jasmine blossoms on a marble surface.

A white ceramic cup filled with golden jasmine tea, accompanied by a small dish of dried jasmine green tea leaves, fresh jasmine flowers, and green leaves on a clean white background.

3. Health Benefits

Both green tea and jasmine green tea offer impressive health benefits due to their rich antioxidant and polyphenol content.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Rich in Catechins and Antioxidants – Helps combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
Boosts Metabolism and Aids Weight Loss – Green tea has been shown to increase fat oxidation and promote weight management.
Supports Heart Health – Regular consumption can help lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular function.

Health Benefits of Jasmine Green Tea

Reduces Stress and Anxiety – The natural floral scent of jasmine has calming effects on the nervous system, promoting relaxation.
Improves Digestion – Jasmine tea can aid digestion and help reduce bloating.
Fights Infections – The combination of green tea’s antibacterial properties and jasmine’s anti-inflammatory effects makes this tea beneficial for immune support.

A traditional Chinese porcelain tea cup filled with freshly brewed jasmine tea, with a delicate jasmine flower floating on top, placed on a matching saucer on a rustic wooden table surrounded by scattered jasmine blossoms and green leaves.

A rustic ceramic bowl filled with dried jasmine green tea leaves, placed on a textured burlap surface, with fresh jasmine flowers softly blurred in the background.

4. Processing Method

The primary difference between jasmine and green tea lies in their processing methods:

Green Tea : Simply processed through steaming (Japanese style) or pan-firing (Chinese style) to preserve its fresh flavor and nutrients.
Jasmine Green Tea : Green tea leaves go through the same steaming or pan-firing process, but they undergo an additional jasmine scenting phase, where they are infused with the fragrance of jasmine blossoms.

5. Brewing Techniques

How to Brew Green Tea

Water Temperature : 75-85°C (167-185°F)
Steeping Time : 1-3 minutes
Tea-to-Water Ratio : 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water

How to Brew Jasmine Green Tea

Water Temperature : 80-90°C (176-194°F)
Steeping Time : 2-4 minutes
Tea-to-Water Ratio : 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water

Both teas can become bitter if over-steeped, so it’s best to follow the recommended brewing guidelines.

Which Tea Should You Choose?

Deciding between jasmine vs green tea ultimately depends on personal preference:

If you enjoy a clean, refreshing, and slightly astringent tea, go for pure green tea.
If you prefer a more floral, aromatic, and naturally sweet tea, jasmine green tea is the ideal choice.
If you are sensitive to caffeine , jasmine green tea may be slightly gentler due to the scenting process.
If you’re looking for maximum health benefits, both teas are excellent choices, with green tea having a slight edge in antioxidant content.

A white ceramic cup filled with freshly brewed jasmine green tea, with steeped green tea leaves and jasmine petals floating on the surface, placed on a marble countertop.

Final Thoughts: Jasmine vs Green Tea

The difference between jasmine and green tea comes down to flavor, aroma, and processing methods. While green tea is a pure and antioxidant-rich beverage, jasmine green tea provides an additional floral note that makes it soothing and aromatic.

Both teas offer exceptional health benefits and can be enjoyed based on individual taste preferences. Whether you choose green tea or jasmine green tea, you’re making a wonderful choice for your health and well-being.

References:

"A Review of the Role of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) in Health and Disease." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6412948/ .
"Beneficial Effects of Green Tea: A Literature Review." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/ .
"Cold-Brewed Jasmine Tea Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Mice." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9784320/ .