Flower teas

Flower teas from China: jasmine-scented green tea, chrysanthemum, rose buds and hand-tied blooming balls.

Jasmine baseUsually green tea

Jasmine fromFuzhou, Fujian; Hengzhou, Guangxi

CaffeineOnly if tea is inside

Water175°F to boiling

Where to start

Green tea is layered with fresh jasmine overnight, then the spent flowers are sieved out. Good lots repeat this several times. Use 180°F water.

Hangbaiju is whole dried flowers from Zhejiang, with no tea leaves. Pour on boiling water. Cantonese teahouses often mix it with pu'er.

Tea leaves hand-tied around dried flowers. Drop one in a glass pot, pour on hot water, and wait for it to open.

The jasmine is picked in the afternoon and opens at night.

选Read the ingredients. Added flavoring on jasmine tea can mean no real scenting.

选Few petals is a good sign. Real scenting removes most of the flowers.

选Buy flowers sold as food or tea, never craft or potpourri.

选Smell for clean flowers. Very pale, sharp-smelling chrysanthemum may be sulfured.

Chrysanthemum is in the ragweed family, so take care with that allergy. If you are pregnant or on medication, ask your doctor about herbal teas.

Hand-picked pieces are on the way.

Does jasmine tea have caffeine?

Yes, because nearly all jasmine tea is made on green or other true tea. Only a pure jasmine flower infusion has none.

What does chrysanthemum tea taste like?

Mild, floral and lightly sweet. Plain chrysanthemum tea is only dried flowers, so it has no caffeine, and many people drink it in the evening.

How do you brew blooming tea?

Put one ball in a clear glass pot and pour on water around 190°F. It opens in a few minutes. Top it up two or three more times.