Jasmine Dragon Pearls: The Hand-Rolled Tea That Unfurls in Your Cup
What are Jasmine Dragon Pearls?
Jasmine Dragon Pearls (茉莉龙珠, mo li long zhu) are hand-rolled balls of green tea that have been scented with fresh jasmine blossoms. Each pearl is tightly rolled by hand, then laid alongside freshly picked jasmine flowers — not once, but multiple times — to absorb the fragrance naturally. Our Jasmine Dragon Pearls are scented three times with fresh blossoms.
When you steep them, the pearls slowly unfurl in the water, releasing the jasmine aroma gradually. It's one of the most visual teas to brew, especially in a glass teapot where you can watch the whole process.
Why "Dragon Pearls"? Why "Buddha's Tears"?
The name "Dragon Pearls" (龙珠) refers to the shape — each ball of tea resembles a small pearl, and in Chinese culture, the dragon is often depicted chasing or guarding a pearl, symbolising wisdom and good fortune.
The alternate name "Buddha's Tears" (佛泪) comes from a Buddhist legend. The story goes that the Buddha wept tears of compassion, and where they fell, jasmine flowers grew. The round, tear-drop-like shape of the pearls carries this imagery. Both names are used for the same tea.
How it's made — the scenting process
The process starts with a green tea base. Our Jasmine Dragon Pearls use green tea leaves from Yunnan province, which gives the tea a smooth body. The leaves are hand-rolled into tight balls.
The scenting happens using fresh jasmine flowers, typically picked in the early evening when the buds are about to open and the fragrance is strongest. The tea pearls are layered with the fresh flowers and left overnight. During those hours, the tea absorbs the jasmine oils naturally. The spent flowers are then removed, and the process is repeated — our pearls go through this three times.
This is different from cheaper jasmine teas that use jasmine flavouring or oil. The scenting process is slower and more expensive, but it produces a more complex and natural jasmine character that develops across multiple steeps rather than fading after the first cup.
How does it taste?
Floral, smooth, with a light sweetness and a subtle strawberry-like note that surprises a lot of people. Customers at our Tea Bar often ask about it — the strawberry character is a natural result of the jasmine and green tea combination, not an added flavour.
The jasmine is present but not overpowering. It works with the green tea base rather than covering it. If you've had jasmine tea before that tasted too perfumy, that's usually a sign of artificial jasmine flavouring. Naturally scented jasmine tea is more balanced.
Tea profile
- Taste: Floral, subtle sweetness, strawberry note, smooth
- Type: Jasmine-scented green tea
- Origin: Green tea from Yunnan, jasmine from Fujian Province, China
- Harvest: Spring 2025
- Caffeine: Medium (30–50mg per cup)
- Price: 5g sample $8, 40g $26, 100g $52
How to brew Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Western style
Use about 8 pearls (1.5g) per 250ml teapot. Water at 85–90°C — a bit below boiling to keep the green tea base smooth. Steep for 3 minutes. Good for up to 3 infusions. The flavour changes nicely between each one — the jasmine is strongest in the first steep, and the green tea character comes through more in later steeps.
Gongfu style
Use about 20 pearls (4g) per 150ml gaiwan or teapot. Water at 90°C. First steep: 30–40 seconds. Add 10 seconds for each following steep. Good for 5–6 infusions.
Cold brew
Jasmine Dragon Pearls make an excellent cold brew. The jasmine comes through gently and it's refreshing on warm days. Add about 5g of pearls to 500ml of cold water and steep in the fridge for 6–12 hours. Full cold brew instructions here.
Tip
Brew in a glass teapot if you have one. Watching the pearls slowly unfurl and the water turn a pale golden-green is part of the experience.
Joanne's notes
I recommend Jasmine Dragon Pearls to almost every first-time visitor at our Tea Bar. The jasmine aroma makes it immediately enjoyable even if you've never tried Chinese tea before — it's approachable in a way that some other teas aren't. And the pearls opening up in the glass always gets a reaction.
If you enjoy Jasmine Dragon Pearls, try our Osmanthus Green Tea next — it's a similar idea (flowers scenting green tea) but gentler and more subtle. Or explore the full green tea collection.
Common questions about Jasmine Dragon Pearls
Does jasmine tea have caffeine?
Yes. Jasmine Dragon Pearls are scented green tea, so they contain medium caffeine — roughly 30–50mg per cup. That's less than black tea and much less than coffee. Good for mornings and afternoons. For more detail, see our caffeine guide.
What's the difference between Jasmine Dragon Pearls and regular jasmine tea?
Dragon Pearls are hand-rolled into ball shapes and typically scented multiple times with fresh flowers. Regular jasmine tea may use loose leaves scented once, or in lower-quality versions, just jasmine flavouring. The pearls give a more complex flavour that develops across multiple steeps.
Is the strawberry flavour added?
No. The subtle strawberry-like note is a natural characteristic of the jasmine and green tea combination. Nothing is added — our Jasmine Dragon Pearls contain only green tea leaves and residual jasmine oils from the scenting process.
How many cups can I get from one serving?
Western style: 2–3 cups from 8 pearls. Gongfu style: 5–6 small cups from 20 pearls. The flavour shifts with each steep, so re-steeping is part of the experience.
Last updated: March 2026
If you're in Hobart, drop by our Salamanca Tea Bar — we'll brew whatever interests you, no pressure to buy. You'll also find us at Salamanca Market every Saturday morning.