subject: Blooming Tea An Artform And Craft [print this page] Tea and the art of serving it properly are very old. Chinese history contains the first records of serving tea, and it's no wonder that they are also credited with creating blooming tea, the latest trend in tea drinking. Imagine being able to combine the goodness of green tea with the beauty of flowers. Now, you can do just that.
Also called GongYi Hua Cha, which means "art flower tea", blooming tea is also called hand-tied tea, art-teas or blossoming tea. The way in which the tea acts and develops explains these many names. One look at the flower in the cup says a thousand words.
A blossoming tea is made up of a handful of tea leaves and flower blossoms tied together with a cotton string. The bundle is dried and shipped or transported to its destination. Once unpacked from its satchet, the tightly bound bundle is put in a pot or cup and hot water is poured overtop. As the water is absorbed, the tea leaves fill out again, unfurling like a blossom and often exposing a delicate flower within.
Several different types of flowers may be used in a blossoming tea. These might include marigolds and hibiscus, carnations and roses, or exotic flowers like jasmine and mountain tea blossoms. Chrysanthemums and globe amaranth are also used.
Blossoming tea is not the same as other teas and has a few important differences. One is that it should be served or presented in glass vessels, so that guests may see the unfurling action themselves. It is also considered very aromatic, and does not turn bitter as steeping continues.
Green tea is usually used for blossoming teas, and has found its way into many areas. Tea has a history of use dating back to the 10th century B. C. It's also been found that China produced the first book on how tea should be prepared and bought. Tea has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine and cuisine both.
The tea ceremony also has a very ancient history. The way in which tea is prepared, served and handled can be almost religious seeming to some people. The tea cultures of the world owe their origins to the Chinese tea ceremony.
Sharing tea with others has been done traditionally and in a formal sense for many reasons. Some use it as a sign of respect, serving tea to their elders or in historic times to the higher classes or ranks in a town. Tea is also a way for the bride and groom at a wedding to say thank you to their parents for being raised well. Tea can also serve as an apology when someone has wronged another. With today's fascination with blooming tea, tea flowers are quickly replacing traditional bouquets, combining the gift of tea with the beauty of a flower arrangement.
