Gorgeous and obviously Instagram worthy, the flowering tea trend has taken over the infused tea world over the last year. Here’s how to brew blooming tea and set them on your table!
Hey gorgeous! Tea parties have been a culture of India and China for centuries. And by the 1800s, the practice of afternoon tea spread to the western world too. Luxe and sophisticated, tea time is not just for great conversations, but to relax and enjoy this beverage.
But tea parties are not just about that either. The culture also brings the opportunity to try those biscuits you’ve been saving! Or new types of teas. Isn’t it?
Personally, my tea lover friend and I used to have tea time everyday after office, back when I recently graduated from the university. And when everyone moved back to their home countries in the post-university world, we continued our tradition over Whatsapp!
Since tea time is not just a social affair, it’s also a chance to spend time with yourself. It’s still a party even when you’re by yourself. And that’s why I’m loving this new trend of flowering teas. Literally, flowers in a tea, just like flowering pots. It’s something every tea connosieur needs to try.
What are Flowering Teas
Also known as blooming teas, flowering teas are infused teas made by brewing hot water and tea leaves with edible flowers. Many different types of flowers are used to brew these. Sometimes, one may also make it herbal and brew it without the tea leaves, using just water and the flower, so it gets infused with the flavor. But the common factor – a big, gorgeous blooming flower sitting in the center of your tea pot. Want some beauty to adorn your patio table? Go for a glass tea pot!
Types of Flowers Used in Flowering Tea
Flowering tea is made by brewing a blossoming tea ball, which is a dried edible flower wrapped in tea leaves. Any edible flowers that can be used in herbal teas like jasmine, lilies, chamomile, etc. can be used to make flowering tea as well. Here are some common ones you’ll love:
Tulip
Jasmine
Apple Blossom
Lotus
Rosebud
Lily
Hibiscus
Cherry Blossom
Chrysanthemum
Lavender
Dandelion Flower
Wild Daisy
Basil Flower
Pansy
Marigold
Sunflower
Also read: All 38 Types of Flowers Every Infused Tea Connoisseur Needs to Try.
In addition to these, if you’re making the tea ball at home, you can also try herbs like cilantro or basil, or spices like cinnamon or ginger to add flavor to these teas. These balls also make great gifts for tea-lovers or weekend activities for tea-loving couples or even for kids.
How to Make Flowering Teas
Great flavor and a warm teapot that’s a treat for the eyes? What more could you want? The best part is that since the tea gets infused with the flowers nectar, it gets mildly sweet and you don’t even need to add sugar or honey. So here’s the step-by-step method to brew these gorgeous blooming teas. You can either get the blooming tea balls readymade, or make them yourself.
Prepare a flowering tea ball at home:
- Gather a flower you would like to use, for ideas, refer to the list above. Prefer a flower from your own garden instead of buying from the store, since you need fertilizer-free flowers only.
- Also, wash them thoroughly but gently to get rid of dust, soil and any pests.
- If you’re using a small flower like rosebuds, you can use more than one flower. Sew them together using a matching thread and needle. Be sure to wash the thread before using.
- You’ll need a few fresh tea leaves. Clean and dry them with a paper towel.
- Wrap them in another paper towel and put them under a plate or inside a book to flatten. Leave for 30 minutes, not longer to avoid drying them too much.
- Cut them vertically into narrow sections, about 1/4 inch wide each, until their branch. Make sure to not cut them all the way through so they’re still connected with the branch.
- Lay them on a clean, flat surface, spread out from a center.
- Place the flower(s) in the center, and gather the leaves around it, in the shape of a ball, holding their ends together firmly.
- Carefully sew the ends together on each side of this ball, including any stray stems inside.
- Roll the ball in your hands gently to shape the ball into a near-perfect circle.
- Either heat it on the stove at low-heat, or in the oven for 15-20 minutes at its lowest temperature. Be sure to not heat it for too long, so it retains all its flavor and doesn’t end up cooking. Your blooming tea balls are ready!
Brew flowering tea at home:
- Place the blooming tea ball in the center of a clear tea pot.
- Add boiling water and voila, the ball will brew in a couple of minutes.
- Let it brew for 2-5 minutes depending on the strength of flavor you prefer. Then pour in tea cups to relish their sweet flavor!
So, are you gonna try flowering tea in your next tea party? Let us know and if you take pictures, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @shilpaahujadotcom!
Muaah 🙂
Shilpa Ahuja the editor-in-chief of ShilpaAhuja.com, which she founded with the goal of inspiring confidence in the modern working woman through fashion. Other than defining the direction of the magazine, she also writes about fashion & beauty trend forecasts, industry analysis, and opinions.
Shilpa’s work has been published in the University of Fashion blog and Jet Airways magazine. She is also an artist, illustrator and cartoonist. She is also the creator of Audrey O., a comic series that represents the lifestyle of millennial women. She enjoys creative writing and world travel. Her art has been exhibited at Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Aroma Hotel, Chandigarh and been published in Chandigarh Times.
Originally from Chandigarh, Shilpa also has a professional degree in architecture and has worked in interior project management. She is also the author of the book “Designing a Chinese Cultural Center in India”. Shilpa has a Masters in Design Studies degree from Harvard University. For feedback and questions, please email [email protected]
