Customer Reviews

Rishi Tea Organic Jasmine Pearl Loose Leaf Tea, 2.99-Ounce Tin (Pack of 2)

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

They're 'WAY off--use one TEASPOON/8 oz. of water at 190º. I start with a total brewing time of about two minutes (including the time needed to decant), adding 30 seconds to the subsequent two infusions (forget about a fourth--three is about as good as it gets although you can then place the used leaves in a jar, add about 6 oz. water, and refrigerate covered overnight for delicious, next-morning iced tea for a total of four steepings).
Now, as to the tea itself. This is EXTREMELY fine jasmine tea. Rishi's offering uses "dragon pearls" of excellent quality--Chinese green tea leaves that are hand-rolled into little...well, pearls. The pearls are then scented, over the course of several days, with fresh jasmine blossoms--20 lbs. of fresh jasmine blossoms are used to scent each pound of tea. This is excellent, absolutely delicious tea that, excepting the word "jasmine," has virtually nothing to do with cheaper grades of tea that are scented chemically with perfumes. It scents the whole room as it brews. :)
Bearing in mind that there are no bargains to be found for top-grade tea--it's never cheap--Amazon has the best price I've yet found for Rishi Jasmine Pearls, especially if your order qualifies for free shipping. It can and should be infused three times, which might take some of the sting out of purchasing, the health benefits of green tea providing the final push.
Rishi Dragon Pearls are now a part of my parents' daily routine. In addition, I made a gift of a can to a friend's mom--that can went all the way to Russia and was, predictably, received with delight and appreciation. A cousin in California, on my recommendation, went a bit hog-wild and bought four cans from Amazon--she's now a fan, too. I doubt there are any better green jasmine pearls to be found. (Seven Cups, an online purveyor of top-grade Chinese tea, has white jasmine pearls that are equally fine but very different--I like both).
Incidentally, try to brew this tea in glass as the unfurling of the pearls is extremely beautiful to watch.

Update: I just bought a new can and noticed that the brewing instructions are radically different. The suggested brewing times remain the same (3 - 4 minutes), but the amount of leaf has TRIPLED to one tablespoon and the suggested brewing temperature has decreased by 10º to 180º. Frankly, given that I get excellent results with the suggestions that are still posted on the Rishi Web site (steeping for a good minute less, though), I decided that the only concession I'll make is to drop the temperature to 185º, leaving everything else the same (the correct brewing temperature can be had very easily: pour boiling water into a large Pyrex measuring cup, then pour over the leaves). A higher concentration of scented leaf would likely gag me (as in the case of the brewing instructions for Rishi's Osthmanthus Silver Needle), plus the original instructions are MUCH more cost-effective. Tea preferences, however, are very much a matter of taste, so play with the suggested parameters, if you're so inclined, to determine yours. Keep in mind, though, that jasmine tea can become bitter if mishandled (this just passed on to me by Austin at Seven Cups), so play safe!

This tea by Rishi is the most exquisite tasting Jasmine Pearl Green Tea I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. I know the price may be a little more than what you are used to paying for green tea, but, believe me, it is definitely worth it.

The jasmine flavor is rich and sweet, all by itself. The amount of work that goes into creating each of these lovely pearls is astounding (hence the price!). Once you have tried this tea, all other jasmine green teas will pale in comparison. The flavor is so concentrated, you only need to use a scant teaspoon of pearls for each cup of tea that you brew, so these two cannisters will last for some time. I hope you try this tea, as I know you will not be disappointed.

My wife loves this stuff. It's expensive but one container lasts for a month or two. She normally puts in 6 - 8 of the little balls per cup. I like it too, but she's fanatical about it.

This is the best tea I've ever tasted. I use 1tsp/cup, and get 1-2 refills with the same leaves. I've also taken to eating the leaves, which are soft and not at all bitter. If this tea was a person, I'd make love to it.

i love this tea, but it is SO overpriced here (~$7 at wholefoods for same exact item)

There are plenty of reviews here to tell you that this tea is good.

If you are like me though, you are a value shopper. And the price of this tea is obviously expensive. So after trying this Rishi tea, I thought I'd be able to find something similar that is a better value. I ordered the one pound bag of Numi Jasmine pearls because it has pretty good ratings and is a better value per pearl, and surely I won't be able to tell much of a difference...

If you are thinking of doing the same, save your money and order Rishi. My experience is that there is a big difference in taste. Rishi is just a lot smoother, I found the Numi to be kind of musty/moldy compared to Rishi. Maybe I got a bad bag, I don't know. But I would say don't try Rishi if you are satisfied with something else because you will probably be hooked! I will probably end up dumping my Numi Jasmine Pearls because I already restocked on Rishi (actually I felt highly favored to find the one pound bag of Rishi Jasmine Pearls on sale for half price on the Rishi web site during their one day Christmas sales).

I drink tea pretty much all day long (without any sweeteners) - usually starting with two big cups of this (two 16 oz infusions of the same tea made in the brilliant IngenuiTEA infuser by Adagio tea), then two cups of Rishi silver needle white tea, then some herbal teas in the afternoon. I mix it up sometimes with Rishi Wuyi Oolong or something else, but Jasmine Pearl is a very clean and smooth tea that is a classic for me. Multiple infusions increase the value. Just be sure to use the right temperature water and steeping time to get the best value.

I have tried and reviewed a few Jasmine Teas and still have not found one current tea that has a jasmine fragrance. When I was in China I had a great tea that when you brewed it, would fill the air with the smell of Jamsine. You could smell it when you brought your nose to the cup. It was aromatherapy!

I had seen people complain Rishi had too much jasmine smell so figured it was worth a shot.

Teance, Chaa by Te and Whole Tea version of Jasmine Dragon Pearl Fujian, All have about the same taste and smell as the Rishi. No need to spend more on this tea. I would say Teance is the closer one as it is not as pungent.

Sadly I do not smell any jasmine. I have a jasmine plant so know what this should smell like if true jasmine.

Rishi Pearls I got do not have any jasmine smell. Not in the cup, not in the air. It is more pungent when smelling in the bag but I can not place the odor.

My only thought, after speaking to Rishi, is that maybe I am smelling the type of tea plant and they suggested trying their white tea and jasmine.
It is possible, since what I had overseas was a a loose tea, that I was not not drinking a silver tip tea.

For the extra cost I did not get a better flavor. The other brands mentioned will give you the same results for a better cost per pound.

The delivery was so efficient and prompt. The tea itself is fabulous. It will be hard to get back to a regular tea bag. There is no comparison. Thank you. I will be a regular customer of this product.

This stuff is incredible! I've had many different kinds of Jasmine tea, and this tops them all hands down. No bitterness. Tastes great unsweetened, and blissfully delicious with agave or stevia! I love it.

Just in case you're ignoring all the people who said a mere teaspoon, or less, of this tea is plenty, believe them.
I just bought a canister and a teaspoon of pearls expanded into far more than a tablespoon of their other, non pearl, tea.
I was able to get two huge mugs out of one spoonful.

Another suggestion: if you have a basket type mesh contraption, or a traditional teapot, please use that. If you use one of those small metal balls or teaspoons that will enclose your pearls they will not be able to expand fully.