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Flowering teas are known more for their beautiful and stunning appearance than their flavors. These teas are typically made of tea buds or tea leaves that have been hand-sewn into various shapes. They could be oval, spherical, rosette, heart, cone or disc-shaped. In some cases, the tealeaves are pressed flat before they are actually sewn into these numerous three-dimensional shapes. In case they have been pressed between pieces of paper or cloth, they might have a residual imprint / texture on them. Most contemporary flowering teas contain either multiple or a single flowers inside the tealeaves bundle. Though they may be called that, not all flowering teas actually contain flowers. The phrase “flowering tea” is a little deceptive and might also refer to the manner in which tea leaves open up while they are being infused. Flowers such as globe amaranth, osmanthus, hibiscus, chrysanthemum, marigold and carnation are the commonly used flowers in these teas and are safe for human consumption. During the infusion process, the teas unfurl into a various shapes. They could be basket-shaped or larger spherical ones. Most of them will open-up very gradually but the ones that have been sewn into a garland or a strand tend to unfurl faster. Once the tealeaves soften, they simply pop-out of their encasement. These are the dramatic or showy siblings of the flowering tea family. The “wow” factor of these teas is exactly why people opt for them and they make perfect gifts for tea lovers. Not only do they stimulate your senses, but they also are a visual treat. For the Chinese, flowering teas are a symbol of love, prosperity and happiness. The floral display is so stunning that you are sure to stop and watch the beautiful flowers unfurl before your eyes. Most of these teas are flavored very mildly and soothe the senses. They can be steeped upto three times and every batch of tea will be as flavorful as the previous one. They have natural antioxidants and are low in caffeine. When you make a flowering tea, half the pleasure is in watching the beautiful flowers unfurl before your eyes. The only way you can actually do that is to ensure that you steep the tea in a glass teapot. You can buy a glass teapot of your choice and they are available in various shapes and sizes. Some of them have decorative handles and the lids may be decorative too. Making the perfect tea is also about having the perfect teapot. If you are gifting someone a basket of blooming teas you can consider gifting a fancy teapot with it. They make a perfect gifting idea, look dainty and are tasteful too. You can opt for teapots with or without strainers but remember that when you are brewing flowering or blooming teas, you will not really need a strainer at all. The flowers are large and tend to stay at the bottom of the pot even when you are pouring out the heavenly tea. So, when you bring that little bit of Chinese tea charm into your home, enjoy it to its fullest. Resource box: The Exotic Teapot has a range of Flowering Teas that will soothe your senses. Use a Glass Teapot to enjoy the visual charm of a flowering tea
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