Tea From China
My friend Ryoko , who has been so busy with her new career she hasn't had time to blog, spent a few days on holiday in China. Instead of a postcard I received something much more exciting in my letterbox. The beautiful flower above starts out as an ugly little duckling.
Add some hot water and it starts to look a little less ugly.
Leave it for a little while and you will see its beauty emerging.
Finally you will have a cup of tea that is as pretty as it is refreshing.
For some really good information about tea visit Joey at 80 Breakfasts and read her tea post.
UPDATE: Many of you have asked about the taste and smell of the tea. It has a very delicate aroma, slightly, and only slightly, smokey. The taste has far less tannin than black or green tea. It has a very light smoked, fruit taste, but only very light. There is no hint of the floral taste you experience in an Earl Gray tea. It is not a big in your face tea but more an elegant refined tea.
How gorgeous! I haven't tried a flowering tea yet and can't wait to get some.
Posted by: Steamy Kitchen | September 11, 2007 at 12:42 PM
is this allowed in the country???
Posted by: jen | September 11, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Steamy Kitchen - it is very pleasant.
Jen - I'm sure it is okay.It was gift packaged in a tin and came through the post. Customs would have stopped it if it wasn't allowed.
Posted by: barbara | September 11, 2007 at 02:55 PM
What a lovely gift! Ooh that reminds me we have two of these around here somewhere....
Posted by: Kat | September 11, 2007 at 08:10 PM
Ah, bloom tea! I have some too, and haven't had a chance to try it yet. t looks beautiful, but how does it taste?
Posted by: Lydia | September 11, 2007 at 08:32 PM
Oh,this is pure beauty.I know about those kind of teas ,but I never saw one.If I find certainly I buy. But how it taste and smells?
Posted by: Sylvia | September 11, 2007 at 09:14 PM
I've seen these at gift shops. They look so beautiful, but how is the tea?
Posted by: Kelly Mahoney | September 12, 2007 at 12:33 AM
This is the funnest thing since Sea Monkeys!
Posted by: cookiecrumb | September 12, 2007 at 07:45 AM
Thanks for your comments everyone. I've updated the post to answer your questions on the taste. I hope you all get to try some.
Cookiecrumb - or those pills that turn into faceclothes!
Posted by: barbara | September 12, 2007 at 08:49 AM
How pretty! I must see if I can find some here :)
Thanks for the mention Barbara!
Posted by: joey | September 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM
I was the lucky recipient of a box during one BBM and loved it. I love serving it to guests...what a conversation topic!
Posted by: Tartelette | September 17, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Wow! That's beautiful.
Posted by: Nigel | September 17, 2007 at 06:44 PM