Beijing Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶)

Why it is worth considering

Beijing has been China's jasmine-tea capital for over a century. The classic method layers green tea with fresh jasmine blossoms, sometimes five or six times, until the leaves carry the flower's scent without any added flavoring. Wuyutai, founded in 1887, built its name on exactly this craft, and its jasmine-scenting technique is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

For a visitor, jasmine tea is close to the ideal souvenir: it is light, flat-packed in tins, unmistakably Beijing, and genuinely pleasant to drink. Unlike fragile crafts or heavy liquor, a tin survives any suitcase.

Before you buy, check

• Look for the Wuyutai seal and production date on the tin — jasmine tea loses its scent within a year, so fresher is better.
• Ask the staff to let you smell the dry leaves: good jasmine tea smells floral but still tea-like, never perfume-heavy.
• Choose sealed tins or foil pouches over loose bulk bins if you are flying home — they protect the aroma and pass through fine.
• Match the grade to your budget: the shop grades by how many times the tea was scented with fresh blossoms; mid-grade is the sweet spot for gifts.

Good to know

• Tea prices vary widely by grade — confirm the per-unit price at the counter before paying; we have not verified current shelf prices.
• Keep the tea sealed and away from strong smells in your luggage; it absorbs odors easily.