Discover the Spectacular Magic of Beautiful Blooming Teas

You’ve never experienced tea until you’ve witnessed the magic of flowering teas. What is flowering tea? Flowering teas — or blooming teas — are dried and compressed into balls or shapes. They are artistically pieced together with petals, flowers, and leaves. Blooming teas slowly open, just like a flower, when they steep in hot water. 

As you can imagine they are quite the spectacle to behold! They are a perfect showstopper for any tea party or gathering. Or, if you wish, you can enjoy blooming teas for your own personal ritual. 

Below, you will discover the mysterious history of blooming teas, learn how they are made, and how to steep them to get the most out of them. You will also learn how to make your own blooming teas so you can host a crafty tea party or gift handmade presents to your friends and loved ones. 

The Mysterious History of Blooming Teas

The history of blooming teas isn’t crystal clear. 

Many people claim that it was invented in the 1980s or 1990s by a woman in Fujian, China named Yun Xue Tong. At the time, sales were very slow for her, and she set out to make a new way of experiencing tea. Her blossoming teas were a hit!

But, there are some tea historians who say that the beginning of flowering teas date back to the Yunnan province. 

Other historians say that traces of flowering teas can be found all the way back to the 10th century in the Chinese royal courts. It was around this time that the art of shaping tea leaves started. But, these flowering teas were probably used for displays and they weren’t used to make teas. 

The Art of Creating Blooming Teas

Blooming teas are most often made with green or white tea leaves and sometimes black teas. Their leaves are long and their buds are softer. The flavors of green and white teas are also a lot more delicate than black. These teas can be steeped longer without the taste of the tea becoming bitter or too strong. 

Many flowering tea varieties are steeped for longer periods of time — sometimes up to 20 minutes. Most blooming teas fully unfurl in about 5 to 10 minutes and other times it takes much longer. 

Tea was never meant to be enjoyed in a rush. Tea is a ritual that is cherished and blooming teas are no exception. They are perfect for get-togethers and offer a relaxing experience that you can share with other people. 

All flowering teas are artistically shaped by hand. Dozens of leaves and colorful edible flower petals — like chrysanthemums, lilies, marigolds, and jasmine — are sewn together to create the flower. Sometimes the tea leaves are even sewn around an entire centerpiece flower. 

Once the tea flower is sewn together, the petals are pressed closed into a tight ball or pressed into a specific shape like a heart. They are tied with string or wrapped in a cloth to help hold their shape as they dry, then the cloth is removed. The compact tea blossoms only bloom when they are steeped in hot water.

Steeping Blooming Teas

To get the most out of your blooming tea experience, we recommend using a glass teapot that’s at least 3 to 4 inches deep. This way the flowering tea has enough room to completely unfurl. A glass teapot is the best option because you can clearly see the blooming tea open up right before your eyes.

To make a proper blooming tea, you’ll heat up clean fresh water that hasn’t been boiled before. Did you know that pre-boiled water has a different chemical balance than freshly boiled water? Freshly boiled water will bring out more delicious flavots of your tea. 

Heat your water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius in a kettle or separate pot. Place one blooming tea bud in your glass teapot or glass mug. Gently pour water over your blooming tea so it fills the pot or mug about 4 inches high.

Steep your blooming tea until the flower has fully opened. The process takes about 5 to 10 minutes. You may serve your tea hot or iced. Feel free to add your sweetener of choice. 

Every blooming tea flower can be steeped up to 3 times. You may store your drained tea flower in a sealed container without water and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. 

You can also keep your tea flower on display within the teapot after you are finished drinking your tea. It makes an excellent tabletop decoration that is as beautiful as any flower bouquet. 

Food Pairings and Serving Blooming Teas

If you are serving blooming tea to your guests, you should offer food or snacks as is customary with serving any tea. Herbal or green blooming teas may pair well with citrus or tart flavors to offset the earthy flavor of the teas. If your flowering tea is black, traditional heartier snacks, like cookies, pastries, or heavier foods might pair well to balance the boldness of the black tea. 

What you choose to serve with your tea depends on your personal preference and the flavor of the tea you’re serving. But, of course, scones are always welcome around any tea experience.

You don’t have to host a party or have guests over to enjoy flowering teas to the fullest. You can absolutely enjoy blooming teas on your own as a tranquil respite from the world. 

The blooming flower bud is a spectacle to be seen and enjoyed. Not only is the tea itself delicious, but the tea flower magically comes to life right before your eyes. It’s an experience that pulls you into the moment and insists you enjoy this time. 

Blooming teas are all about beauty, health, and living in the moment. Flowering teas are about appreciating the things that happen right now. Happiness and tranquility are experienced only in the present moment.

DIY Blooming Teas

You can certainly purchase your own flowering teas, but did you know you can make your own blooming teas? All you need are a few other supplies other than green tea leaves and edible flower petals. 

Making your own blooming tea flowers can be a fulfilling personal hobby or a fun crafty experience to share with family or friends. 

Use edible flowers such as jasmine, lavender, or squash blossoms to add color and variety to your tea flower. You will hand-sew green tea leaves and petals together to create your own magical blooming teas. 

If you’re seeking out a handmade gift for your loved ones, this is it! And these flavorful tea blossoms can also be steeped up to 3 times. It can be super rewarding and a fun experiment to make your own flowering teas. You can also watch the flowering tea tutorial video here.

Your Home for Blooming Teas

If you are seeking out blooming teas or glass teaware for your next tea gathering, Teabloom has everything you want to create a show-stopping experience. Your guests will appreciate the beauty and art of a blooming tea party. You may even want to set up a DIY area for everyone to make their own blooming teas!

The founder at Teabloom strives to clean up the tea industry with sustainable and responsibly made teaware. But they also invite you to enjoy the full beauty and ritual of tea time. 

Breathe in the delightful aroma of your favorite handmade blooming tea flavors or explore flowering tea samplers to find a new tea. Teabloom’s newly released caffeine-free blooming tea is made with a variety of herbs and flowers that are naturally caffeine-free so you can enjoy tea blossoms every time of the day.

Experience the magical world of flowering teas and superior teaware with Teabloom.

www.Teabloom.com