Flowering Teas
Posted by Anita on May 22, 2011
There's no doubt flowering teas, also known as Artisan, Blooming or Display teas, are very beautiful to behold. Their basic structure comprises of tea leaves sewn together around a flower or a number of flowers and dried into different shapes, the most common being a pod like shape.
Where do Flowering Teas originate from?
The art of hand sewing tea leaves has been evident in China for hundreds of years but was most probably used as simply a display tea as mentioned in Chinese literature dating back to the Song Dynasty where tea leaves were tied up with flowers to entertain the Emperor. It is unlikely that the tea was consumed as it was probably very low grade tea and most likely tasted awful. This could well be where some of the confusion has arisen with some who believe flowering teas are a new product, as it is only within the last 20 years or so that flowering teas have been made with high quality tasting teas and blooms combined to produce magnificent displays that can be enjoyed as a refreshing tea too.
However, as with all teas, there are still some lesser quality blooming teas produced, often from mass machine production, and as such it is really important to buy from a reputable supplier.
How are Flowering teas made?
Produced mainly in the Yunnan province of China, the tea leaves are picked early in the mornings and then sorted according to size and weight before they are slightly flattened by rolling the leaves. The tea leaves may or may not be scented with Jasmine or other flowers prior to being sewn together. Laid flat, they are kept damp whilst hand sewn into the required shape. This process can involve placing actual flowers such as Jasmine, Lily, Osmanthus, Amarinth, Hibiscus and Lavendar to name but a few into the centre of the flowering tea shape. Occasionally, a bloom may be placed on the outside of the flowering tea. This entire process can be as quick as one minute, or for more complex designs take over 10 - 15 minutes per flowering tea pod. Once completed the tea pods go through a drying, oxidation and firing process and so are held in their new shape.
Brewing methods
Use a medium to large sized glass tea pot or tempered glass pitcher. Use fresh boiled water and bring to a full boil. Pour water into the glass teapot or pitcher and then immediately, carefully drop the tea pod into the boiled water. The pod will float initially relasing air bubbles but will then begin to unfurl and sink to the bottom of the teapot. This unfurling process takes around 3-5 minutes.Take this time to watch the long leaves unfurl and reveal the beautiful flowers. Note: Do not remove the leaves after infusing. If you wish to have another cup of tea, simply pour more water on the leaves and infuse for another 1-3 minutes.
Iced tea-brewing method:
Flowering teas are not normally made as iced tea, however if you require to do so (to make 1 qt/lt) place 3 pods in a heat resistant pitcher or jug. Add 1¼ cups of freshly boiled water. Steep 5 min. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with ice water. Add steeped tea and fill with ice water and sweeten to taste.