Tea Tales: Blooming Jasmine

This will mainly be an “eye candy” Tea Tales post as I at last got to try out the Budding Jasmine white tea I received this past Christmas. Flowering teas offer an aesthetic tea brewing experience as you watch the tight-knit bundles unfold in hot water to reveal a botanical masterpiece. Best enjoyed in glass teapots or mugs, you get a full view of the show that occurs during the steeping process. Here is what mine looked like when I tried it a few days ago.

Bundle of Budding Jasmine before steeping – top view

Bundle of Budding Jasmine before steeping – side view

Hot water added – beginning to unfurl, floating

Side view of unfurling – floating

As unfurling continues, the bulb begins to sink

Settled on the bottom of the mug with additional flowering beginning

Full bloom after steeping

With thanks to my high school senior orchestra mug for providing the excellent views of the show. 🙂 And the verdict: the tea tasted disappointingly very bland! Yes, it looked much better than it tasted, but white teas have a very subtle taste to begin with, so one can’t be too disappointed. Definitely worth the experience.

Until next time…tea you later! 😉