Analysis key aroma compounds based on the aroma quality and infusion durability of jasmine tea

The quality of jasmine tea is closely related to the aroma of the tea infusion and the brew durability of the tea leaves. In this study, the aroma components of jasmine tea infusions subjected to multiple brewings were investigated using sensory evaluation, headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC–MS), and headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS). 179 and 73 volatile compounds were identified by HS-SPME-GC–MS and HS-GC-IMS. 18 key differential compounds were selected using multivariate statistical analysis, OAV, and ROAV, while 8 key compounds highly positively correlated with the aroma of jasmine tea infusions were identified through PLSR analysis. Methyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol were recognized as key compounds for assessing the durability of tea leaves by plotting the trend of the decay rate of OAV values. The findings offer novel insights into grading jasmine tea and direct enterprises on improving aroma quality throughout the processing of jasmine tea.