Flowering Tea 香片, 工艺茶, or 开花茶

One of the world’s oldest ingredients and most popular beverages is tea. There are many legends about the origin of tea and it's discovery, but it is likely to have originated in Yunnan, China during the Shang Dynasty (1500 to 1046 BC).  The Portuguese priests became aware of Tea and its merchants in China during the sixteenth century. It found its way to Britain during the seventeenth century and Britain launched tea growing to India to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea production. 

Among the many varieties of tea, the most visually appealing are the flowering teas. These consist of bundles of dried tea leaves wrapped around one or more dried flowers.

 Once these bulbs are made they are set to dry, and they remain in a bud shape. To fully enjoy the visual effect, a glass teapot is a must.

Steeping the bulb it slowly unfurls and a flowering centrepiece appears. Flowers commonly utilised for these bulbs are globe amaranth, chrysanthemum, jasmine, lily, hibiscus and osmanthus.

After our small dinner gatherings, there is usually someone wanting tea. We all watch with delight as the flower opens and blooms.