monday, february 18th, 2008

I've recently gifted several tea lovers in my life with blooming tea sets that include a hand blown glass tea pot, ceramic drinking cups and a dozen tea bulbs in a variety of flavors. Every time I demonstrate to them how the bulb blooms into a sensual flower when hot water is poured over it, the recipient's smile widens as the blooming ball elegantly unfurls itself, transforming from a tightly bound sphere of tea leaves and dried flowers into a pot of drinkable beauty.

Blooming tea bulbs consist of dried flowers that are surrounded by either white, black or green tea leaves and then hand tied, wrapped in cloth and dried. Once hot water is poured over the tea ball and it blooms, the flowers infuse the tea with fresh, clean flavor and a delicate aroma as they steep in colorful bouquets at the bottom of the tea pot. A wide variety of blooms are available including jasmine, lily, osmathus, amaranth, chrysanthemum and carnation and each one springs to life in its own unique natural arrangement.

The tea pots that accompany blooming tea sets are typically modeled after traditional Chinese sizes and are relatively small, but another virtue of blooming tea is that the bloom can be used over and over again throughout the day, infusing pot after pot of tea with its bright nuanced flavor. Of course, it is not necessary to bloom the tea in a clear pot but the visual pleasure of doing so adds to the sensory delight of the tea and I would therefore recommend a clear glass pot.

In the warmer months blooming tea makes a refreshing iced tea and I know of very few gifts that afford sensory delight on so many levels while still managing to be calorie free, healthy and packed with anti-oxidents. Blooming tea is such a unique alternative to a bouquet of flowers or standard tea tin and I can virtually guarantee that it will deliver as much pleasure for your friends and family as it has to mine.

The bulb before it blooms. 

Blooming tea bulbs in a variety of flavors.

Resource Guide 

Blooming tea sets are not widely available in retail outlets but are easily ordered on-line. Two companies that I have ordered tea sets from include Numi and Summit Tea Company. Each carries complete blooming tea sets, a wide variety of bulb flavors in addition to the option of purchasing blooming tea bulbs exclusive of the the tea pot and cups.