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Boil some fresh spring water, preheat the teapot, and add tea leaves. You probably know all the steps in making a perfect cup of tea. But what if you are not brewing “regular” tea leaves, but artisanal blooming teas instead? Can you use the same brewing method to make blooming tea taste delicious and look pretty at the same time?

Which tea pot to use, what is the best temperature and how long should you steep it for? - Here are all the answers you need.

What is blooming tea?

Blooming tea or flowering tea is a ball-shaped tea made of tea leaves and flowers. This handmade artisanal tea is crafted to enjoy with both eyes and taste buds. In hot water, leaves will “bloom” gorgeous flowering bouquets. Blooming tea can be made with different types of tea. Usually, they are made with white and green tea leaves. Now, here’s the important part. Not all teas were made equality, so not all blooming teas will taste the same.

How to get the best flavor from blooming tea

The quality of tea leaves is one of the most important factors in preparing a tasty teapot of blooming tea. Just like with regular tea, the way you brew it will have a lot of impact on the flavor too.

Now let’s get back to the type of tea. Most blooming teas are white or green. Both white and green teas need to be steeped in cooler water, or they may become very bitter. But blooming tea requires a higher temperature to bloom. And, they need a longer steeping time too. You are guessing, right? Although this tea may be exquisite, but it could also turn unpleasantly bitter too.

What can you do?

How to make a blooming tea taste great

To make the best blooming tea, follow these steps:

1. Choose high-quality blooming tea

   Just like with loose leaf tea, quality matters. High-quality teas can usually withstand higher temperatures and offer superior flavor. Even if you over-brew them, they will still taste good. You can brew a high-quality silver needle with nearly boiling water without the risk of ruining it. With blooming tea, choosing premium tea is of the utmost importance.  

2. Choose the best teaware

   The best teaware for making flowering tea is a glass teapot or a wine glass. You should it with your eyes too, so always opt for glass. It should be big enough to allow it to bloom. 300-500ml volume glasses/teapots are a good choice.

3. Use fresh spring water

   To avoid murkiness and bring out the best flavor, always use fresh spring water or filtered water.

4. Steep it

   Bring water, pour it into your teapot or glass and let it cool down for a minute or two. This should reduce the temperature to around 95-98 degrees Celsius (cooler for white and green tea, and hotter for black tea).

5. Add blooming tea

   Gently add your tea into your teapot or glass. It will float while absorbing the water.

6. Let it steep

   Wait until it sinks to the bottom and fully opens. This will happen in about 5-10 minutes, depending on your tea and water temperature. Pour into a cup or glass if you are using a teapot, or drink directly from your glass.

7. Re-steep

   You can re-steep blooming tea for 1-3 times, depending on the type. Simply pour in more water (again, around 95 degrees) and let it steep for 1-2 minutes. Don’t pour water directly on tea leaves. If you are using a glass, use a slightly cooler temperature so you can drink it immediately, without over-steeping it.

Source: Unsplash

When to serve blooming tea?

Blooming tea is great for afternoon tea parties and special occasions, or any time you want to unwind and enjoy a unique visual experience. But never do it in a rush. It’s a tea to enjoy slowly. Blooming teas may provide the same benefits as regular loose leaf tea – and some more – depending on which flowers they contain. Want a perfectly relaxing blooming tea? We're captivated by this one.  

Want to know more? Learn everything about blooming tea here.