For centuries, tea producing families have enjoyed a tea delicacy that has yet to meet Western palates- that is until now.
Introducing "Tea Blossom," the latest addition to our collection at Fleur De Lis Tea Company. Crafted exclusively from 100% tea blossoms and buds, this exquisite tea holds a rich heritage. The custom of brewing tea blossoms originated in the tranquil, terraced hills of Jiangxi, China. There, they discovered that brewing the flowers and buds, with their white petals and yellow/orange centers, produced lovely light moon gold liquor, with only the barest trace of caffeine, less than any decaffeinated tea.
Why so rare?
Tea flowers are often plucked off and simply discarded to funnel the plants resources into growing leaf, because the tea made from the vegetative growth is considered more valuable. Traditionally this tea was plucked and brewed by feild workers and their families without any processing. Even in China today there are very few tea producers who take the time to make a tea from the blossoms, most likely because it has been impossible to mechanize, and even with skilled labor it is a pain in the back to harvest! When plucking the leaf, one can stand up straight because all of the harvestable material is on the top of the plant, whereas most of the flowers are within the structure of the plant or towards the bottom. All of these factors have contributed to this remaining a rare treat around the world.
What are some of the great qualities of our white tea?
The open blossoms taste of a classic white tea, while the closed buds boast a nectary chrysanthemum flavor.
With an impressively low caffeine content, Tea Blossom is perfect for any time of day.
Fleur De Lis Tea Co. is proud to be the first and the only U.S. tea farm to offer this delicacy. Perhaps because the blossom and buds have to be meticulously hand-picked only in the winter months.
Hans Marchese our Tea Production Manager is responsible for meticulously crafting each of our premium teas. He personally hand-picked the blossoms and buds for this tea, ensuring only the finest ingredients are chosen for every cup.
When we asked Hans about Tea Blossom, he had this to say:
"Well, to be honest, Tea Blossom started with me complaining to Beverly Wainwright that one of our varieties was putting off an inordinate amount of flowers to the point where their growth was inhibited! I was wondering if it was worth plucking them all off and discarding them. She told me that they made a very nice white tea and that what I thought was a curse may actually be a boon. After a few attempts at drying them I created a beautiful tea that far exceeded my expectations. Not only did the tea taste like other comperable high quality white teas, but it had a depth and richness of floral notes which I had only ever experienced in herbal flower teas such as chrysanthemum and chamomile. I am truly excited to share this rare gem with y'all!"
Get your hands on some Louisiana grown tea today!
A large amount of tea is imported into the United States, in fact the majority of it is. We are so excited to join a growing number of small tea businesses in the US that are bringing tea closer to home. We are Louisiana's only commercial tea grower and we are thrilled to bring tea, to this great state and beyond.
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