On the Claim that Modern Jasmine Tea Craftsmanship was Formed by the End of the Southern Song Dynasty
摘要
Jasmine tea is a unique type of tea in China. Zhou Mi, or Old Benshan in the late Song and early Yuan dynasty, wrote Excellent Lyrics volume four of the collection of Shi Yue Buyue and Jasmine, in which Zhou noted: “This flower blooms in April, until the time of osmanthus blossoms, still exuding a fragrant scent. In ancient times, this flower was used to roast tea, hence the saying.” Zhou Mi selected and edited the Excellent Lyrics in the early Yuan Dynasty, so this note has been taken as the earliest record of jasmine tea. According to Historical Manuscript of Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology edited by Liang Jiamian, “Shi Yue in the Southern Song Dynasty wrote Buyue and Jasmine, with words note has mentioned ‘ancient people with this flower roasted tea’, which can be said to be the earliest jasmine tea in China.