Tea flowers are spheres inspired by deep-rooted Chinese traditions. They were used in ancient times as a valuable gift for emperors. Thanks to the ingenuity and talent of the artisans of the time, these little balls have an amazing secret: when they come into contact with hot water, they begin to slowly open, revealing what they truly are: authentic works of art for both the eyes and the palate. .
How is this possible?
Blooms are made with delicate tea leaf buds in a very low oxidation state, which allows them to be moldable. To press the balls, cotton thread is used, thus giving shape to the flowers. Each variety offers a unique sensory experience.
Blooming teas or tea flowers, as they are also known, consist of fresh flowers wrapped in white tea leaves, in the shape of a ball. When submerged in water, it delicately unfolds to provide a stunning floral display.
Originating from the Fujian province of Chinatea flowers are made by women with agile fingers, who can make up to 400 flowers per day.
Tea in spring
Flowers take center stage with the arrival of spring and Adagio Teas is not far behind. That is why it presents its collection of blooms: Healthy and delicious alternatives, which also help combat some allergy symptoms, such as Jasmine Bloom with green tea, jasmine and flowers; and the White Bloom with white tea. Both contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and other symptoms. In addition, its regular consumption can strengthen the immune system, which helps prevent allergic reactions in general.
These new infusions also offer an alternative for the more traditional ones: Red Bloom, a Yunnan black tea, with antioxidant and energizing properties for those looking for a more classic and intense flavor.
Whatever the choice, the recommended infusion time for blooms is 5 to 7 minutes at 80º temperature so that they open correctly and thus be able to appreciate this spectacle in a cup of tea.
Interview with tea specialists: trends around tea consumption in spring
1. What teas are consumed the most in spring due to allergies and why?
“Some healthy alternatives that also help combat some allergy symptoms are Rooibos, a shrub that grows mainly in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The advantage of rooibos infusion over traditional allergy medications is that it does not cause drowsiness,” answers Teresa Marinetti, partner and manager of the Horeca Channel at Adagio Teas.
According to the study, “New antiallergic catechin derivatives isolated from Oolong Tea,” published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Oolong Tea has potent antiallergic properties. The same thing happens with varieties of Green Tea such as Jazmine Bloom: those who suffer from allergies benefit from green tea, as it reduces the severity of the reaction and relieves the symptoms caused by annoying allergies.
“At Adagio Teas we have a wide variety of herbs that also turn out to be excellent allies when it comes to dealing with these annoying symptoms, such as our Buenas Noches infusion, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Day Dream and Menta Piperita among others,” he adds.
2. What is the most popular infusion accessory?
“We have seen that Chileans are increasingly open to living new experiences and experimenting. In the case of tea, more and more people are concerned about having all the necessary elements to prepare the perfect cup of tea and in that sense, live the experience of observing how the leaf expands and also take advantage of taking breaks in the day,” adds the specialist.
“Although that market has been increasing, teabags are an excellent alternative so that consumers can infuse their favorite strands in a more practical way. Furthermore, Adagio Teas tea bags come in a pyramidal format, which allows the strand to expand correctly, releasing all its properties, color, flavor and aroma,” he added.
3. How popular are blooms and why did you decide to bring them?
“Our customers expect news from Adagio Teas, which is why we seek to offer different varieties depending on the season. The blooms are very special and present a unique experience: flower balls that open when they come into contact with hot water,” highlighted the business manager of Adagio Teas, Ignacio Lopez.