Heritage

🌿 The Time-Honored Craft of Fuzhou Jasmine Tea Making


Fuzhou jasmine tea is celebrated worldwide for its intangible cultural heritage status and the meticulous seven-time scenting method (七窨一提), a labor-intensive process that has been refined by local artisans for over a thousand years.

1. Harvesting at the Peak of Perfection
The process begins with two critical harvests:

  • Tea sprouts: Plump, silvery tea buds are hand-picked from high-mountain gardens in Fuzhou at the first flush, when their freshness and delicate structure are at their peak.
  • Jasmine blossoms: Fresh jasmine flowers are harvested at dawn, when their fragrance is most intense, ensuring only the purest, most vibrant scent is captured.

2. The Sacred Seven-Time Scenting Ritual


Over 300 hours of careful craftsmanship, the tea and jasmine are united in a repeating ritual:
  • Layering: Fresh jasmine blossoms are layered with tea leaves, allowing the leaves to naturally absorb the flower’s delicate aroma overnight.
  • Sifting & re-layering: The next morning, the wilted jasmine flowers are carefully sifted out, and the tea is left to rest. This process is repeated seven times, each round deepening the floral infusion without overwhelming the tea’s natural character.
  • Final 提香 (scent-lifting): After the seventh scenting, a small amount of fresh jasmine is added for a final, elegant top note, completing the transformation.

3. Drying & Finishing

Once fully scented, the tea is gently dried to lock in the aroma, preserving the delicate balance of floral sweetness and tea freshness. No artificial flavors, dried petals, or fillers are ever added—only the pure, patient handiwork of master tea makers.

4. The Result: A Cup of Timeless Elegance

The finished tea yields a crystal-clear, pale golden liquor with a smooth, sweet taste and a lingering, layered floral fragrance. Even after multiple infusions, the leaves remain intact, releasing a consistent, refined flavor that is the hallmark of authentic Fuzhou jasmine tea—a true testament to the artistry of a craft preserved for centuries.