Quick Answer

To make Butterfly Jasmine Tea hot, steep the hand-tied butterfly leaves in 175°F water for 3–5 minutes. For iced tea, brew double-strength hot tea and pour over ice, or cold steep overnight in the fridge.

Why Butterfly Jasmine Tea Is Special

Butterfly Jasmine Tea from DAVIDsTEA is a rare reserve green tea from Fujian, China. The leaves are hand-folded and tied into a butterfly shape that slowly unfurls as it steeps, releasing a sweet, seductive floral aroma. This tea is ideal for multiple steepings, with each cup offering slightly different flavor notes.

Hot vs. Iced: Which to Choose?

Hot brewing brings out the delicate floral sweetness and the visual beauty of the butterfly unfurling. Iced brewing is perfect for warm days and yields a crisp, refreshing drink. Both methods work well, but hot steeping is recommended if you want to appreciate the tea's full aromatic profile.

Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions

  1. 1. Heat the Water: Bring fresh, filtered water to 175°F (80°C). Avoid boiling water, which can scorch the delicate green tea leaves and create bitterness. Use a thermometer or let boiling water cool for 2 minutes to reach the right temperature.
  2. 2. Steep the Butterfly: Place one butterfly tea bundle in a cup or teapot. Pour 8 oz of hot water over it and steep for 3–5 minutes. Watch the butterfly unfurl—the longer you steep, the stronger the flavor. Start with 3 minutes for a mild cup; go up to 5 if you prefer more body. Don't exceed 5 minutes or the tea may become astringent.
  3. 3. Enjoy Hot or Convert to Iced: For hot tea, remove the butterfly and sip. For iced tea, double the tea-to-water ratio (use 2 butterflies per 8 oz) and steep as above, then pour over a full glass of ice. If making iced tea, the ice will dilute the concentrate, so the double-strength method ensures a flavorful result.
  4. 4. Re-Steep the Butterfly: The butterfly can be steeped 2–3 more times. Add fresh hot water and steep for 1–2 minutes longer each time. The flavor will become more subtle but still pleasant. Re-steeping is a great way to stretch your tea and discover how the profile evolves.

  • Butterfly Jasmine Tea: Handpicked tea leaves from the Fujian region in China are layered with fresh jasmine petals for a sweet floral aroma, then two leaves and a bud are hand-folded and tied to create a butterfly shape that unfurls as it steeps. This unique shape means you can steep the same leaves multiple times, getting a slightly different cup each time—perfect for experimenting with hot and iced methods.

    Butterfly Jasmine Tea

    Butterfly Jasmine Tea