Blooming Flower Tea What Is It? The History And Benefits

Did you just discover blooming flower tea? When I first found a ball of woven leaves. These leaves are sealed in a packet inside my brand new teapot I had to do exactly what you are doing. How do I brew a blooming tea flower and what will it taste like? Should I drink it? Absolutely. As the flower tea unfolds it’s soothing and magical. The art of tying the flowering tea is even more magical.

The history of blooming flower tea

The history of blooming flower tea originated in the Yunnan province of China. Different types of teas are used in the creation of blooming flower tea. Each tea unravels to show a beautiful floral creation.

Is flowering tea a modern creation of something that’s been around for centuries? That answer is not always so clear. What we do know is that blooming flower teas were created in China. There is a talent that goes along with creating the mesmerizing floral ball of tea.

The idea may seem simple yet, it is anything but simple. Blooming teas are created from the buds of the plant. White, black, or green tea leaves are most often used. The tea leaves are processed. The leaves are then shaped by wetting the leaves and shaping them into place by hand. Herbs and flowers are added and the bundle is then wrapped with food-safe thread. The bundle can then be placed into cloth to completely dry.

A professional blooming tea maker can make 2.5 kgs of blooming tea in one day. Each blooming tea weighs approximately 6-10 grams. That’s between 250 – 416 blooming tea balls a day.

Tea Buds – The tea buds hug the flower in the middle. The tea buds used are processed completely.

Flowers – After picking the fresh flowers they should be dehydrated. By natural air-dried or machine air-dried before the next process. Besides, The flower must be picked with integrity, meanwhile in the best picking time. Thus the quality of flower tea products could be mostly guaranteed.

Binding – When the quality of materials is ensured. Then we select qualified Silver Needles Green tea and dehydrated flowers. A certain amount of Silver Needles are bundled at the bottom. Then the dehydrated flower is put in the middle and covered with the tea outside. It is then sewn up and bound. 

And a little secret – During the above process, there are spaces of air left. These tiny spaces between the petals, buds, and flowers. These spaces, when brewed, help the flowers to expand and “blossom”.

Here’s a fun video showing a time-lapse blooming flower tea brewing:

Blooming tea is an excellent way to get a beautiful cup of fragrant tea and a bit of caffeine along the way. You’ll get all the health benefits as well as the brain boost without the jitters.

The flowers used in blooming tea are generally:

• Jasmine
• Carnation
• Chrysanthemum
• Globe amaranth
• Hibiscus
• Marigold
• Lily
• Osmanthus
• Rose

These are all edible flowers and the only concern you should have is allergies.

Place the blooming tea into a glass container, and add hot water. Watch your tea brew and unfold into a beautiful floral design.

While there is no history of blooming tea we can only go on what certain groups proclaim.

Now no matter where you are sitting right now, you can enjoy the wonders of blooming tea both as art and a drink.

A tea by any other name of blooming tea

The phrase “blooming” tea refers to the fact that the tea opens up and “blooms” in the water. The bloom reveals a floral design or the actual bloom opens up to a flower.

The blooms can be a tower, garland, basket, or other shapes. 

Some of the blooming teas will open quickly. While others are slow to open up and share their beauty and design

Blooming tea goes by many different names the most popular of them is indeed blooming tea:

• flower tea

• flowering tea

• blossoming tea

• bloom tea flower

• blossoming tea

• tea blooms

• blooming flower teas 

• performance teas 

• display teas

• artisan tea

• handcrafted tea

• tea flower

• china special tea

The blooming tea creation

Tea has been consumed for thousands of years. The health benefits of black, white, and green teas are as deep as the ocean.

While tea is thousands of years old blooming tea started in China as a more modern creation. The blooming tea we drink today was created in the 1980s. In the beginning, blooming tea is suggested to have been created in the 10th century. The blooming tea was not made to drink, the flavor was bitter and the quality was very poor. It was created as art. 

Blooming tea is made from green or black tea. Edible flowers are woven together and tied with a thread. This makes blooming tea a healthy drink. Blooming teas can be made out of several different teas and herbs. There are several different healing properties to each one. 

Starting as an art form now it is made mostly in Anhui, Fujian, and Yunnan China.

The flavor of the teas depends upon the flower and tea used. But most blooming teas are floral and smooth.

Several different shapes can be created:

• ball

• oval

• disc

• starfish

• cone

• heart

and more.

The leaves are sometimes flattened before they are sewn into their destined shape. While most will contain flowers some may not.

Flower tea can be beneficial by adding more antioxidants as well. The benefits of blooming tea will depend on the teas and flowers used to create them. The teas used are black, white, and green.

The most common flowers used in blooming teas are: 

• Chrysanthemum flower tea

• Jasmine flower tea

• Lotus flower tea

• Rose flower tea

Watch as a tea artist creates a blooming flower tea

Are there health benefits to blooming tea?

Blooming tea is rich in antioxidants. They have a high content of antioxidants that protect the DNA and cells of the body from free radicals. Because all blooming teas start with leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. We know the benefits of teas. Depending on the flower and herbs that are used in the creation of the bloom will vary on those health benefits.

There are benefits we know for sure that follow the use of teas.

Boosts your metabolism – The caffeine content of the teas used to provide a metabolic surge. That surge is surrounded by antioxidants and more nutrients. 

Promotes weight loss – Caffeine and EGCG can both affect your metabolism. Green tea does contain less caffeine than coffee. it is still enough to act as a stimulant to help with fat burning and give you a bit of energy too. 

Nourishes the skin – Oh, healthy skin! The compounds of a tea work together with the flowers to strengthen your collagen. Keeping your cells from breaking down. Blooming teas contain polyphenol which also helps our skin. Polyphenol protects the skin from sun (UV) damage.

Oral health – Bacteria often gather in the mouth, leading to mouth odor and other dental problems. These could result in mouth cancer. Drinking blooming tea regularly allows you to enjoy the maximum effect of the antibacterial compounds. They cleanse the mouth and fight other infections.

Anti -Cancer prevention – Blooming tea contains antioxidants. These double as anti-cancer and anti-mutagenic agents that prevent cells from developing cancer. These polyphenols fight against damaging free radicals. EGCG is also a benefit in fighting cell damage.

Slows Aging – Unlike other types of tea, flowering tea comprises a rich collection of antioxidants. These include catechins and flavonoids. These antioxidants usually cannot be found in any single tea. Blooming teas give your body a collection of antioxidants needed to fight radicals that contribute to it again.

Helps Digestion – When marigolds are present in your blooming teas your digestive system is put at ease. Stomach discomfort, cramps, constipation, gas, and bloating are all eased by marigold.

Improves Heart Health – Studies have shown that green tea can lower your bad cholesterol and triglycerides. The antioxidants as well as EGCG help clear clogged arteries. The Japanese have known of its ability to aid in weight loss for many, many years.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation – The high polyphenol count fights inflammation. Fighting inflammation reduces pain and helps stave off arthritis.

Improves mental health – The meditative process of tea alone causes the soul to relax. Tea helps encourage mental calm. Some studies have shown a decrease in neurological disorders in those that drink tea regularly. Blooming tea can also boost your motor and cognitive skills. 

How to brew Blooming Flower Tea

First things first, find a glass carafe or teapot. You are going to watch this tea bloom! 

• Place your blooming tea in the bottom of your glass container

• Cover with 212-degree water. (4 inches deep or so)

• Let it steep 

• Watch your tea bloom. Takes about 5-10 minutes.

• Enjoy a cup of tea

You can steep your blooming tea a few times. You can also secure your bloomed tea in a secure container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

Blooming tea precautions

Caffeine – Blooming tea contains tea. Tea contains caffeine. If you are trying to reduce your caffeine or abstaining from it, blooming tea is not for you.

Pregnant – caffeinated teas should be reduced. Limited yourself to one or two cups of tea a day. Consulting your health professional is always the best plan.

Allergies – make sure you know what teas and herbs are in your blooming teas to avoid any allergic reactions.

Medicinal reactions – Again, know what is in your blooming teas and how they interact with any medications you may be taking.

Expiration – Store your blooming teas properly, they do expire. Most blooming teas are individually wrapped and secure. Open only when ready to use. Watch for the expiration date as they do expire.

Conclusion

When you hold that dried ball of tea leaves in your hand, it’s dried-out tea leaves. Often it’s off-white or a dirty sort of color. You would never suspect that inside holds the bloom of surprise and color. 

Blooming tea may have started as an art form and turned into a beautiful blooming tea. To me, it’s still an art form. A meditative beautiful piece of art.