Flowering Jasmine Peach

Very excited to be preparing my first flowering tea, even my tea-avoiding husband came to watch. A greeny-brown ball the size of a marble went into the usual preheated glass gongfu tea pot and fresh boiled water was poured on top. The ball floated to the top and slowly began to roll and grow pale red flower petals and waving leaves, expanding to several times its original size before gently sinking. At this point I poured off the tea into the glass pitcher to savour it in a tasting cup. Straw pale and faintly honey-scented, without the sometimes overpowering jasmine aroma, and a lightly fruity floral flavour with the faintest hint of smoky-bitterness. The second infusion was stronger tasting and equally pleasant. I docked one star because some of the amaranth petals fell off!