The Elegance of Blooming Teas

The Elegance and Excitement of Blooming Teas

By Dawnya Sasse

Are you about to have a tea party? If so, you
have the opportunity to captivate your guests
with display teas. If you are a very serious
tea drinker, you will know what display teas
are.

These specialty types of teas are also known as
artesian or flowering teas. Meant to enhance
the experience of the wonderful drink of tea,
display teas provide entertainment at tea
parties all around the world.

The art of display teas has been around for
thousands of centuries. The very first time
that a display tea was used was during the Song
Dynasty. Tea leaves were tied up with flowers
for the Emperor’s entertainment. He never drank
the tea, however. It was merely a visual
enjoyment.

Display teas have only been made for
consumption purposes during the last few
decades. Artists who have a great amount of
talent pick out lovely flowers and long
tealeaves. These tealeaves are then withered,
rolled up, oxidized, and fired. Artists then
take great care to sew the flowers and the tea
together. The result produced is beautiful
display teas.

Many display teas are hand-sewn rosettes of tea
leaves that, when steeped, bloom into dazzling
and elegant shapes right inside your teapot.
What an excellent conversational piece for a
tea party!

Your guests will be absolutely
delighted with such a treat. Different display
teas have all different types of tastes – from
sweet to rich and from subtle to bold.

Now that you know what display teas are, let’s
take a closer look at some types of these teas
look and taste like.

One type of popular display tea is Queen Victoria Flower tea. This
type of tea is from China, and is flavored with
Chrysanthemum. There are several blooms that
are enclosed in the flower, and during steeping
they are released. Imagine the soft, flowery
taste of this enchanting tea delighting all of
the guests at your party.

Another type of display tea is Jasmine Silver
Balls. This is also a type of tea from China.
Very light green in color, it has a delicate
Jasmine flavoring to it. These tea balls are
hand rolled and hand- tied. When steeped, they
open up into a flower-like blossom.

Black Sea Anemone is another fine display tea
that is made in China. It hails from the
province of Anhui. Black Sea Anemone is crafted
into tiny wheels, with each wheel containing
about two hundred hand-tied buds. When these
buds are infused with water, the leaves blossom
out into the shape of sea anemones.

Black Sea Anemone happens to be a black tea;
however, it is nearly impossible to over-steep.
It can be steeped for over five minutes without
becoming bitter! Furthermore, it can be infused
over and over again. It is sure to be an
exciting drink for your guests to taste!

Display teas, in general, can be brewed longer
and do not become bitter when they have an
extended steeping. Longer brewing time will
also allow you to enjoy the flowers and other
shapes opening up in your pot.

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2007 Dawnya Sasse All Rights Reserved