Floral Teas Bloom with Bountiful Goodness

Given that tea began as a medicinal drink in China as early as during the Shang Dynasty (1500 BC – 1046 BC), it should come as no surprise that tea today has been found to have several health benefits. Apart from being good for the body, tea is highly popular (next to water, it is reputed to be the most consumed beverage in the world with 15,000 cups drunk every second) also because it comes in so many different varieties.

The basic green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and pu-erh tea can be flavoured with different fruits, flowers, herbs, spices and even smoke to create new teas. Of these, flowers are the most popular ways of scenting teas to make new blends.

For your truly healthy cuppa, Insideintroduces some floral blends and tells you what goodness they bring.

Bloom of the Night – Jasmine Tea

Since jasmines bloom at night, when they are harvested in the morning, the flowers are usually closed. They are then mixed with either green or white tea leaves and stored in a cool place. As the petals open in the night, the tea leaves absorb the fragrance of the flowers through the oils the blooms release. The more times the tea is infused with the fragrant oils, the higher the grade the tea.

If you are a bit of a romantic, you will appreciate the effort The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf puts into its Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl Tea (S$26.10). Blended only in March and April when jasmines are in bloom, the flowers and tea never touch. Instead, they are laid side by side to allow the scent of the jasmine to infuse the tea.

Jasmine teas are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, and are known to aid digestion. Researchers in Japan also found that the smell of jasmine tea has a calming effect, helping to reduce heart rate, and relief muscle and joint pains.

Eu Yan Sang’s Jasmine Tea (S$18.50 for 100g pack and S$25.50 for 150g pack) has a delicate aroma and is slightly sweet, promising to alleviate fatigue and lift spirits with its invigorating taste.

Apple of the Eye – Chamomile

Chamomile comes from the Greek word for “green apple” and is so named because the flower has an apple-like aroma. Teas scented with the blossom have a sweet fragrance and a fruity flavour. Chamomile tea has a mild sedative effect and is good for helping insomnia. It can boost the immune system and alleviate toothaches, nasal stuffiness, indigestion, and skin irritation.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Lemon Chamomile Herbal Infusion (S$13.80) is scented with lemon grass from Thailand and orange peel to create a delicate citrus flavor that makes for a refreshing cuppa.

If you want an innovative spin to the usual chamomile tea, Eu Yan Sang has Floral Tea Bird’s Nest Chamomile (S$67.90 for a pack of six 75-gram bottles) which has their fine quality bird’s nest flavoured with the floral tea.

A Rose by Any Other Name – Rose Tea

When a flower as fragrant as a rose is used to scent tea, the result is quite aromatic. Rose teas or rose hip tea is high in vitamin C which helps the body battle viruses, and is a good source of antioxidants.

TWG Tea Company has 800 teas in its collection sourced from 45 different tea-producing regions. Among their selection is Amour de Thé Caviar Tin (S$70 for 100 grams). It is a sensual TWG Darjeeling that has been turned into a potent potion with the addition of delicate rose blossoms and leaves of pure gold. It is liquid luxury at its best.

More Than Just Your Garden Variety Tea – Hibiscus, Sakuras, and Blue Cornflowers

Hibiscus petals used to infuse black tea creates a brew that is deep red that is somewhat tart. Hibiscus tea is full of antioxidants and is linked to lowering high blood pressure.

TWG Tea Company offers Timeless Tea Caviar Tea Tin (S$40 for 100 grams), a swirling eddy of classic black tea blended with a bouquet of hibiscus and bright flowers. The result is a refreshing blend with a lingering floral aftertaste.

The tea institution also has other exotic blends of floral teas. Sakura! Sakura! Tea (S$40 for 100 grams) is this Spring’s latest offering. The heady green tea is composed of Sakura petals, evoking Kyoto in Spring, to create an elegant and aromatic infusion. French Earl Grey Haute Couture Tea (S$40 for 100 grams) takes the traditional favourite black tea and lifts the experience with an infusion of citrus fruits and French blue cornflowers.

Golden Goodness – Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is often mixed with pu-erh tea to make a golden brew that has an antiseptic quality good for strengthening the liver and gallbladder. The Chinese also believe it has cooling properties good for reducing body heat and is recommended for those with fever, and sore throat.

If you do not have the time to brew your own tea, Eu Yan Sang has ready-to-drink bottles of Ginseng Chrysanthemum Tea (S$2.90 for a 330ml bottle). Ginseng has added advantage of lowering blood sugar, and boosting the immune system.

A Bouquet of Goodness – Blooming Tea

If one flower is good, then a bouquet is even better. The Chinese have a tea called the flowering or blooming tea which involves steeping dried tea leaves wrapped around dried flowers. As the bundle brews, it opens up to like a flower. The blooms commonly used in this tea include jasmine, lily, hibiscus, chrysanthemum and osmanthus. The resulting delicate, mellow tea is not only delicious but also lovely to look at.

If all this sounds too complex, try Eu Yan Sang’s Five Flower Tea (S$7.90 for a 120g packet). The pre-mixed flowers have been concocted to rid the body of toxins and excess heat.

Having a cup of flower-scented tea is a multi-sensorial experience. The blooms add not only a pretty blush to the teas, they also flavour the brew with their individual scents and taste. The concoction enhances bodily function and is good for the soul as well. With so much going for floral teas, it is certainly something to drink to!

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