How to harvest and dry jasmine at home

In our latitudes, jasmine is not something completely exotic. It is widely cultivated in middle and southern latitudes as a garden decoration. In the south, jasmine blooms from May to October and is an evergreen shrub, while closer to the north, deciduous jasmine grows, with a shorter flowering period. But this does not greatly affect their aroma and drying method.

How to properly collect jasmine for drying

In China, the collection of jasmine is divided into certain periods of time, and each such collection is called differently and is used for certain types of tea:

• Chun-hua Xun - spring harvest from May to June
• Xia-hua Xun - early summer harvest in July
• Fu-hua Xun - late summer harvest in August
• Qiu-hua Xun - autumn harvest from September to October

Traditions are traditions, and each region has to adapt to its own weather and its own flowering period.

It is believed that flowers need to be collected when they are fully bloomed.Jasmine begins to bloom at sunset and by dawn its flowers fully open their petals. After sunrise, when the sun begins to get hot, essential oils begin to evaporate, and drying such flowers will not produce very high-quality raw materials.

Carefully pick off the flowers when placing them in the basket, being careful not to damage the petals too much.

How to dry jasmine flowers

Sort through the collected jasmine flowers, remove twigs and leaves. Spread them in a thin layer on newspaper or fabric and leave to dry naturally in a well-ventilated area.

Turn the flowers over from time to time and immediately reject flowers with darkened petals. Properly dried jasmine flowers retain their white color and are as pleasing to the senses of smell and sight as fresh flowers.

Forced drying in an oven or electric dryer is not recommended. Jasmine petals are too delicate, and you risk drying them out, resulting in rot.

How to brew jasmine tea correctly, watch the video: