Flowering Tea
 

Hi!

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.

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?

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.

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?

Many thanks!

Flowering Tea
 

I've never tried flowering teas, or artisan teas as they are sometimes
known, but I just noticed that www.silkroadteas.com has begun to offer
them. Silk Road is exceptionally reputable and their stuff, in my
experience, is top-notch, so they might be worth a look.

gracecat wrote:
> Hi!
>
> 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.
>
>
> 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?
>
> 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.
>
> 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?
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
> --
> gracecat

Flowering Tea
 

Flowering Tea
 

There was a recent discussion on blossom teas. I like the term that
Icetea first used better than flower which can be generic. It appears
to be a recent craft that is making it's way to Western markets. The
biggest selection by far is Dragon Tea House on Ebay. I've tried a
couple and just placed an order for 15 more just to get a feel for what
to expect. Mydnight in China thinks they're artificial from manmade
materials but not my experience so far. They make spectacular
infusions and I don't think the flower adds much to the predominate
Jasmine taste. The Jasmine so far is of YinHao quality which is the
only Jasmine I can stand. There are special glass pots for brewing but
any appropriate glassware will work. I will say if all I get is
Jasmine taste then the novelty will wear thin fast. I can see these
becoming collector items just because one of a kind creations. I also
suspect there is correlation between price and 'quality'. I have a
bulk order from another vendor that is 'dirt' cheap.

Jim

gracecat wrote:
> Hi!
>
> 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.
>
>
> 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?
>
> 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.
>
> 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?
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
> --
> gracecat

Flowering Tea
 

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."

Flowering Tea
 

>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.

I have had quite a bite if experience with these in the last few
years. Scott was dead on in his post. These are NOT high quality tea
in terms of the flavor of the cup. They are "display teas" whose main
claim to fame is their visual impact. They are often made from large
leaf Yunnan varieties processed as white tea(sometimes green but
usually white) . The larger leaf from these varieties makes them easy
to tie into different configurations. To date all of the ones I have
tried had real flowers in them yet virtually no floral aroma. They are
best consumed in tall clear glassware to make the most of their visual
impact. I have found that tall slender beer mugs work quite well.
They are particularly good for after dinner tea with non-tea drinking
guests as a novelty. Real tea drinkers wont find much in them beyond
theirs looks though.

--
Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net

Flowering Tea
 

> 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.

In China, teas like this are peddled mostly to foreigners, mainlanders,
and Hong Kongers on day trips across the water; generally people that
are thought to know not as much about tea. I stand by what I've said
about dyes, additives, and plastics being used in the making of these
teas. The flower petals might be real, but do you really think after
sitting in a bag for a month or two that the tea would be able to
remain such vivacity without any preservatives added?

They are also factory produced.

Flowering Tea
 

Hello, Jim,
I cannot find Dragon Tea House on Ebay. My sister is thinking about
using these for a shower which is probably a lovely idea (I prefer my
tea "neat" - my gin the same). I searched the shops, as well and
nothing turned up for that seller's name - do you have more info?
Thanks.
Cheers.
Shen

Space Cowboy wrote:
> There was a recent discussion on blossom teas. I like the term that
> Icetea first used better than flower which can be generic. It appears
> to be a recent craft that is making it's way to Western markets. The
> biggest selection by far is Dragon Tea House on Ebay. I've tried a
> couple and just placed an order for 15 more just to get a feel for what
> to expect. Mydnight in China thinks they're artificial from manmade
> materials but not my experience so far. They make spectacular
> infusions and I don't think the flower adds much to the predominate
> Jasmine taste. The Jasmine so far is of YinHao quality which is the
> only Jasmine I can stand. There are special glass pots for brewing but
> any appropriate glassware will work. I will say if all I get is
> Jasmine taste then the novelty will wear thin fast. I can see these
> becoming collector items just because one of a kind creations. I also
> suspect there is correlation between price and 'quality'. I have a
> bulk order from another vendor that is 'dirt' cheap.
>
> Jim
>
> gracecat wrote:
> > Hi!
> >
> > 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.
> >
> >
> > 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?
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > 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?
> >
> > Many thanks!
> >
> >
> > --
> > gracecat

Flowering Tea
 

"Shen" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hello, Jim,
> I cannot find Dragon Tea House on Ebay. My sister is thinking about
> using these for a shower which is probably a lovely idea (I prefer my
> tea "neat" - my gin the same). I searched the shops, as well and
> nothing turned up for that seller's name - do you have more info?
> Thanks.
> Cheers.
> Shen

http://tinyurl.com/hxu6u

hth

Flowering Tea
 

If a shipment from China is too slow, there are various sellers on Ebay
that sell the commercial brand Numi. You can turn up other creations
from web vendors on this side of the Pacific by using 'flowering teas'
in a search engine. Your sister might be starting a new wedding
tradition. I was told everybody in MN drinks coffee so leave my glass
pot and blossoms at home.

Jim

enid wrote:
> "Shen" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > Hello, Jim,
> > I cannot find Dragon Tea House on Ebay. My sister is thinking about
> > using these for a shower which is probably a lovely idea (I prefer my
> > tea "neat" - my gin the same). I searched the shops, as well and
> > nothing turned up for that seller's name - do you have more info?
> > Thanks.
> > Cheers.
> > Shen
>
> http://tinyurl.com/hxu6u
>
> hth

Flowering Tea
 

I've tried the Numi flowering tea. Somewhat pretty, but not any good
to drink.

gracecat wrote:
> Hi!
>
> 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.
>
>
> 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?
>
> 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.
>
> 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?
>
> Many thanks!
>
>
> --
> gracecat