Flowering tea facts for kids
Flowering tea, also called blooming tea, is a special kind of tea. It's made from a bundle of dried tea leaves wrapped around one or more dried flowers. Imagine a tiny, tightly closed ball that, when put in hot water, slowly opens up like a flower! The flowers inside then become the main attraction.
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What is Flowering Tea?
Flowering tea bundles are carefully made by hand. People tie tea leaves and flowers together into a small ball or bulb shape. Then, they let these bundles dry. When you put one into hot water, the dried tea leaves and flowers slowly expand. This process looks just like a flower blooming right in your cup!
What Flowers and Teas are Used?
Most flowering teas come from the Yunnan province in China. The tea leaves are often green tea, but sometimes white tea or black tea is used. Many different kinds of flowers can be found inside these bundles. Some popular ones include:
- Globe amaranth
- Chrysanthemum
- Jasmine
- Lily
- Hibiscus
- Osmanthus
The History of Blooming Tea
Flowering tea as we know it today was first created in China during the 1980s. It became very popular in Western countries in the early 2000s. While this specific style is quite new, the idea of bundling tea leaves together has been around for many centuries in China.
How to Enjoy Flowering Tea
To truly appreciate flowering tea, it's best to serve it in a clear glass pot or mug. This way, you can watch the amazing show as the bundle slowly unfurls and the flower blooms. It's a beautiful sight!
One great thing about these tea bundles is that you can often use them more than once. Many people find they can reuse a single bundle two or three times. The tea will still taste good and won't become bitter.
