Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea

There’s something incredibly soothing about the first sip of Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea. The crisp floral notes of green tea, the gentle creaminess of the foamed sea salt topping, and that whisper of sweet and savory all come together like a quiet afternoon breeze. It’s refreshing, light, and yet indulgent in the most subtle way. This drink isn’t just a treat — it’s an experience waiting to unfold.

Behind the Recipe

This recipe came to life on a warm spring afternoon when I wanted something more exciting than plain tea but not as heavy as a latte. Inspired by Taiwanese bubble tea shops and their signature sea salt toppings, I decided to experiment with floral green tea and creamy sea salt foam. The result was a delicate balance of fragrance and richness that immediately felt like a café-worthy sip you could enjoy right from your kitchen.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Sea salt cream-topped tea became popular in Taiwan and then swept through East Asia and eventually the rest of the world. Often seen in bubble tea chains, this twist turns a humble tea into something luxurious. Jasmine green tea, known for its light aroma and subtle bitterness, pairs beautifully with the salty-sweet contrast of the whipped sea salt topping. The trend turned classic and is now a staple in many modern tea cafés.

Why You’ll Love Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea

There are so many reasons to fall in love with this drink. Let’s break it down:

Versatile: You can enjoy it hot or iced, and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.

Budget-Friendly: Just a few pantry ingredients make this a cost-effective indulgence.

Quick and Easy: From steep to sip, it takes less than 15 minutes.

Customizable: Switch out jasmine for any floral or fruity green tea you love.

Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a conversation starter and a unique drink to serve guests.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the foam in advance and keep your tea cold — perfect for busy days.

Great for Leftovers: Extra sea salt foam keeps well and makes a great topping for cold brew coffee too.

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

To get the most out of every sip, here are a few secrets from my kitchen to yours:

1. Use high-quality jasmine tea leaves for the cleanest and most fragrant brew.
2. Whip the sea salt cream just until it thickens — overwhipping makes it stiff instead of silky.
3. Chill your tea before pouring in the foam to prevent melting or separation.
4. Use flaky sea salt or kosher salt, not table salt, for a balanced taste that doesn’t overpower.
5. Add ice only after assembling to keep the foam layer floating beautifully on top.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe is easy, but a few tools help it shine:

Electric frother or hand whisk: To whip the sea salt cream to the perfect consistency.

Tea strainer or infuser: For steeping loose jasmine tea.

Mixing bowl: To whisk your cream and salt mixture.

Measuring spoons and cups: Accuracy matters, especially for the salt and sugar ratios.

Tall serving glass: To show off the gorgeous tea-to-foam contrast.

Ingredients in Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea

It’s amazing how a short list of ingredients can create such layered flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Jasmine Green Tea Leaves: 2 teaspoons — Provides a fragrant and calming tea base with floral notes.
2. Hot Water: 1 cup — Used for steeping the tea to extract all its flavor.
3. Heavy Cream: 1/4 cup — Whips into a soft foam that creates that iconic sea salt layer.
4. Sea Salt: 1/4 teaspoon — Adds a surprising savory twist that enhances the tea’s natural sweetness.
5. Sugar: 1 tablespoon — Lightly sweetens the foam and balances the salty edge.
6. Ice Cubes: As needed — Keeps the drink refreshingly cold when served.

Ingredient Substitutions

Not everything has to be exact. Here are a few easy swaps:

Jasmine Green Tea: Use plain green tea or oolong for a different tea base.

Heavy Cream: Try coconut cream or dairy-free whipping cream for a vegan twist.

Sugar: Swap with honey, agave, or a sugar substitute to adjust sweetness levels.

Sea Salt: Pink Himalayan salt works too but may taste slightly milder.

Ingredient Spotlight

Jasmine Green Tea: Known for its gentle aroma, jasmine green tea is made by infusing green tea leaves with jasmine blossoms. It’s soothing, floral, and adds elegance to every sip.

Sea Salt: It doesn’t just add flavor — it enhances everything around it, from cream to tea, bringing balance to the sweetness and a unique café-quality touch.

Instructions for Making Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea

Making this drink is simple and fun. Here are the steps you’ll follow:

1. Preheat Your Equipment:
Warm your mug or glass slightly with hot water if you’re serving hot, or chill it if serving cold.

2. Combine Ingredients:
Steep 2 teaspoons of jasmine green tea in 1 cup of hot water (about 175°F) for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and let it cool if making iced tea.

3. Prepare Your Cooking Vessel:
In a mixing bowl, add 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Whip using a frother or whisk until soft peaks form.

4. Assemble the Dish:
Pour the cooled tea into your serving glass over ice (if using). Gently spoon the whipped sea salt cream on top of the tea.

5. Cook to Perfection:
No actual cooking, but let the foam rest a minute to settle and create a beautiful float on top of the tea.

6. Finishing Touches:
Optional: sprinkle a little matcha or jasmine powder for garnish.

7. Serve and Enjoy:
Sip through the salty-sweet cream into the floral tea below — no need to stir!

Texture & Flavor Secrets

This drink is all about contrast. The texture is light and velvety on top with that whipped cream, while the jasmine green tea underneath is crisp and hydrating. Flavor-wise, you’ll experience sweet, salty, creamy, and floral notes all at once — it’s a layered journey from top to bottom.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Keep your tea game strong with these extra tips:

• Use filtered water to avoid any bitterness in your tea.
• Chill the tea in advance if you’re serving it cold.
• Don’t overwhip the cream — soft and pourable is the goal.
• Add sweetener to the tea itself if you prefer more sweetness.

What to Avoid

Here’s what to steer clear of to keep things smooth:

• Too much salt: Stick to the measured amount or the foam becomes unpleasant.
• Overbrewing the tea: It can turn bitter fast — set a timer!
• Using table salt: It lacks the texture and flavor balance of sea salt.
• Overmixing the foam: It’ll get too thick and won’t float properly.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 1
Calories per serving: 150

Note: These are approximate values.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

You can prepare the whipped sea salt cream up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Brewed tea can also be made a day in advance and chilled. When ready to enjoy, just assemble and serve. Not recommended for freezing, as it changes the foam texture.

How to Serve Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea

Serve in a tall clear glass for visual effect. Pair with a light tea cake or a fruit tart for a refreshing afternoon tea moment. It also makes a fun drink to serve at brunch or garden parties.

Creative Leftover Transformations

If you’ve got leftover sea salt cream:

• Add it to cold brew coffee for a twist.
• Spoon it over a bowl of fruit for a creamy finish.
• Blend it with iced matcha for a layered drink.

Additional Tips

• Always chill your glass before serving iced tea.
• If your foam is too thin, whip just a bit longer.
• Use a tall spoon to layer the cream gently.

Make It a Showstopper

Garnish with dried jasmine flowers or a dusting of matcha for a picture-perfect look. Serve with a bamboo straw or in a curved glass for that café feel. The key is contrast — foam on top, tea on bottom, and a clean glass to show it all off.

Variations to Try

• Matcha Sea Salt Latte: Use matcha instead of jasmine green tea.
• Honey Cream Topping: Replace sugar with honey in the foam for a floral sweetness.
• Fruit-Infused Tea: Brew green tea with lychee or peach for a fruity version.
• Sparkling Jasmine Tea: Use sparkling water and concentrated jasmine tea for a fizzy twist.
• Coconut Cream Foam: Swap dairy for whipped coconut cream for a tropical vibe.

FAQ’s

Q1: Can I make this without cream?

A1: Yes, you can use coconut cream or a dairy-free whipping alternative.

Q2: Can I sweeten the tea too?

A2: Absolutely. Add sugar, honey, or syrup to the tea while it’s still warm.

Q3: Can I drink it hot?

A3: Yes! Just skip the ice and pour the cream foam over hot tea.

Q4: How long does the foam last?

A4: It holds well for 1–2 days in the fridge. Whip briefly before using again.

Q5: Can I use jasmine tea bags?

A5: Yes, just use 1 tea bag per cup of hot water.

Q6: Is this high in caffeine?

A6: Jasmine green tea has moderate caffeine. Opt for decaf if needed.

Q7: What kind of cream is best?

A7: Use heavy whipping cream with at least 36% fat for best results.

Q8: How salty should it taste?

A8: Lightly salted is key. It should enhance, not overpower, the tea.

Q9: Can I mix the foam into the tea?

A9: Sure, but it’s meant to be sipped through for layered flavor.

Q10: Is it kid-friendly?

A10: Definitely. Just be mindful of caffeine if serving to children.

Conclusion

Sea Salt Jasmine Green Tea is one of those drinks that surprises you with its elegance and simplicity. It feels like something special from a café, yet it’s entirely doable at home. With its creamy foam, fragrant tea base, and irresistible sweet-salty balance, it’s bound to become a favorite in your homemade drink lineup. Trust me, you’re going to love this.

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