Flowering Tea

“I came across bud teas while dining in London ,” says Payal Jauhar,owner of Thai High,“It was impressive,with the buds opening when hot water was poured over them. But buying them was an expensive proposition as Harrods was selling 12 pieces for 19 pounds .” Jauhar found an economically saner version in China where flowering teas are handmade.

You can expect a ceremonious tea at several diners in the city — at The China Kitchen at the Hyatt,for instance,you can have The Six Treasure Tea where dried flowers will open in the steaming beverage. But what makes bud teas special is that they are hand-sewn. Damp tea leaves are flattened and sewn with cotton thread into different shapes and bundles. Sewing the shape can take a minute or 10,depending on the design,and then the bundles will undergo the usual drying and oxidation process before the final packing. Most of them are made by artisans in the southwestern district of Yunnan in China. “When you pour water heated at 120 degree Celsius,these buds will open. You have to be very careful with the temperature,” says Jauhar.

Thousand Years Tea comes for Rs 175 a bud at Thai High (if you want a stronger flavour,you have to pay for more buds). It is a big ball of hand-tied jasmine green tea and the bud can be used for a number of servings. “In fact,a bud that has been used a few times will infuse the water with a stronger flavour,” says Jauhar,who plans to retail bud teas in the city by year-end.

There are also Daisy Buds and Jasmine Pearls,apart from Thousand Years in 13 different flavours such as Bathing Beauty,Carnation with Magic Peach,Fairy with Flower,Beautiful Flowers and Full Moon and Lily Basket.

Contact: 26641796