gracecat > wrote:
>
>I'm looking for some information on so-called flowering teas, or
>blossoming teas as I think some people call them. I only just
>discovered that these infusion 'buds' existed, the brand I came across
>are called Numi www*numitea*com, and they do a few different bouquets.

They are currently very fashionable in China and a lot of companies
are selling them.

>With a little research I found several companies who offer these
>beautiful teas, but my question is; who do the best teas as far as
>taste and freshness is concerned?

None of the artistic teas are made with decent quality tea as far as I
can see. if you want something that actually tastes good, I would tend
to avoid them.

>Coming from a coffee background I know all too well how nice packaging
>and good marketing can turn people's attention away from basing their
>purchase on quality to basing it on hype, so I'm wondering if the same
>thing is going on with tea.

It has for centuries.

>I want to offer great teas, and if the taste of flowering teas can be
>anywhere as good as they look, then I would love to offer this to the
>British public.
>
>Any recommended companies?

Here in the US, you can buy a couple different kinds from Upton's which
aren't noxious but aren't anythign to write home about.

Most of the Chinese distribution folks can sell you a huge variety of
the things... be aware that contamination with handling materials like
glues is very common. The prices are basically tied to how nice they
look and bear no connection to taste. Don't believe anyone who tells
you anything about quality until you actually drink it, and do cut one
of them apart to look for signs of contamination.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."