The Art And Craft Of Blooming Tea

Tea and the art of serving it properly are very old. Chinese history contains the first records of serving tea, and it’s no wonder that they are also credited with creating blooming tea, the latest trend in tea drinking. Imagine being able to combine the goodness of green tea with the beauty of flowers. Now, you can do just that.

Also called GongYi Hua Cha, which means “art flower tea”, blooming tea is also called hand-tied tea, art-teas or blossoming tea. The way in which the tea acts and develops explains these many names. One look at the flower in the cup says a thousand words.

A blossoming tea is made up of a handful of tea leaves and flower blossoms tied together with a cotton string. The bundle is dried and shipped or transported to its destination. Once unpacked from its satchet, the tightly bound bundle is put in a pot or cup and hot water is poured overtop. As the water is absorbed, the tea leaves fill out again, unfurling like a blossom and often exposing a delicate flower within.

Many different types of flowers can be used in a blossoming tea. Carnations, roses and chrysanthemums as well as jasmine flowers and mountain tea blossoms are very typical to be used in the bundle. Marigold, lilies, globe amaranth and hibiscus are also tied next to green tea leaves to make the blossoming tea bundles.

Tea that blooms is not the same as other teas, and not just because it is tied with green leaves. The tea is often very fragrant, with a wonderful aroma. This tea is best served in a clear vessel so that the flowers and blossoming effects can be seen. Also, it tends not to get bitter with further steeping.

Green tea has been used in China for many things. Tea itself has a history that dates back to the tenth century B. C. And it is in China’s history that the first book on how to buy and prepare tea can be found. Tea is used in Chinese medicine as well as in Chinese cuisine.

Another use for tea in China and other Asian and eastern countries is that of the tea ceremony. A tea ceremony consists of special ways to prepare the tea, the equipment used in tea preparation and serving, as well as in how the tea is served. A tea culture has developed in many countries outside of China, all around the tea ceremony.

Sharing tea with others has been done traditionally and in a formal sense for many reasons. Some use it as a sign of respect, serving tea to their elders or in historic times to the higher classes or ranks in a town. Tea is also a way for the bride and groom at a wedding to say thank you to their parents for being raised well. Tea can also serve as an apology when someone has wronged another. With today’s fascination with blooming tea, tea flowers are quickly replacing traditional bouquets, combining the gift of tea with the beauty of a flower arrangement.

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