Guide to Scented Tea
With good single origin teas, the flavour profile is often so complex and satisfying that there is no need to blend or add fragrances. Despite this though, if the pairing is just right, scented teas can be wonderful and bring a whole new element to the sensory enjoyment of tea.
In China, teas have long been scented with flowers such as whole rosebuds, jasmine and chrysanthemum. And sometimes, it is so that even though scented teas are deliberately made, it has long been thought that the biodiversity of some tea gardens means that the tea plants pick up notes of nearby flowering gardens.
What is scented tea?
Scented teas are those that have been fragranced with the scent of flowers, fruits or herbs to impart a complementary flavour or quality, such as the ability to soothe, or provide an added sensory flare to the experience of preparing and enjoying tea.
Some scented, or flavoured teas as they are also known, will have been fragranced by artificial means but the very best are the ones that have absorbed the scent naturally and slowly - as an example, our Jasmine teas take five days to scent fully with whole Jasmine flowers; it's a real labour of love. This is better not only for the taste and experience, but for the benefit of your body and health. Jasmine especially comes with highly regarded properties.
Scented Tea Health Benefits
The most important health aspect of enjoying tea is that it is as uplifting as it is hydrating. There is much research around the health benefits of teas, although many aren't truly conclusive. So it is that we only say two things: one is that the tea (or teas) that you enjoy the most are the ones that are best for you, and two, is that flowers, fruit and herbs are full of varying kinds antioxidants that we know are good for fighting free radicals in the body, thus having a positive impact of the health of the individual.
Other uses for Scented Tea
Scented tea is not only a delicious hot beverage, but can also be enjoyed in a number of different ways. Firstly, they make excellent cold infusions in the summer to drink by the glassful or as palate cleansers between meals. In the number of Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels that we work with, scented teas are often used to give structure or added complexity to cocktails. Earl Grey and Jasmine Teas also make excellent additions to baked foods - infused with icing or pastry, or ground into a fine powder. If you're keen to protect the integrity of these teas though, simply serve them as a pairing with another delicious thing.
Scented Tea and Caffeine
Within our range, we scent: black, white and green teas. This means we cannot determine the levels of caffeine in scented tea on the whole. When consumed though, tea has a lot less caffeine than coffee. Tea also has an amino acid - ‘L-theanine’ - that binds with caffeine to uplift and relax the body. It is also said that the antioxidants in tea slow the absorption of caffeine, rewarding you with a more sustained feeling of alertness without the sudden crash that comes with coffee.
If you're concerned about caffeine in tea, be sure to read our tea and caffeine research and guide.
Scented Tea Tips
What's the best way to make scented tea? Well, there are some golden rules to follow, but we'd advise taking a few minutes of calm focus to really enjoy the uplifting appearance taste and fragrance of these beautiful teas.
Tip One
The quality of the water is as important as the quality of the tea. If your water is hard and treated with chemicals, invest in a water filter. They will go a long way in improving your tea. Softer water has a lower mineral content, allowing the flavours of the tea to come through.
Tip Two
Getting the water temperature right is key when making any tea. Black teas ought to be made with boiling water to fully draw out their complex flavours, while white and green teas are more delicate and should be treated with water between 70- 80-degrees to prevent scalding the leaf.
Tip Three
Getting the ratio of water to tea right is crucial, as is the steeping time. Each tea variety is unique, so make sure to read the instructions for each. As a general rule though, 3-minutes renders a balanced infusion.
Tip Four
We want the full flavour of our tea to reach your cup, which is why we put so much care into its packaging. Our tea bags and tea caddies are designed to ensure that the tea stays fresh and flavourful – they’re airtight, sealed, and opaque to block out sunlight. Store your tea in a cool and dry area as well.
Picking the right scented tea for you
Earl Grey
SCENTED BLACK TEA
A traditional tea, we've scented our Earl Grey with a beautiful and natural bergamot oil. A scattering of blue cornflowers adds visual flare. Consistently rated 5* by our customers, it is regarded for its fresh and zesty flavour, with the added depth of black tea.
Jasmine Pearls
SCENTED GREEN TEA
Our Jasmine Pearls are nimbly rolled by hand after the tea has been left to mingle with fresh jasmine flowers over five consecutive nights. It's a lot of work, but worth it for the rounded and delicate scent absorbed by the leaves.
Ceylon & Rose
SCENTED BLACK TEA
A rich and rousing Ceylon from Sri Lanka is packed with whole rosebuds, leaving the two to marry slowly until infusion when the delicate scent and flavour of rose comes to life, adding to the uplifting experience of black tea.
Discover the scented tea range now
Extra reading
Chai Tea with Apple, Fig & Pecan Scones
A RECIPE
Looking for a traditional afternoon treat with an Indian twist? Follow this easy recipe from Hannah at D0mestic Gothess blog for decadent scones paired with our scented chai black tea.
Jasmine Tea and Chinese Egg Cakes
Our friend Carole Poirot - food stylist and photographer - shares her simple recipe for Chinese egg cakes. The perfect accompaniment to our delicate Jasmine Silver Needle white tea.
Silver Needle White Tea & Elderflower
Why not try your own hand at creating a scented tea? Summer is a great time to pick flowers and cold infuse them with tea, so we did just that with June elderflower and silver needle white tea.
