Flower and Tea
They charmed me. That they all did when I saw these Chinese artistic teas, which are also known as blooming teas (hui fa cha, 開花茶) or as simply as art teas, selling in a tea shop called Fook Ming Tong in Hong Kong. Hand-tied with silver needles (a kind of white tea) and natural flower. Lingering in a wine glass, its blossom moves with the natural grace of a ballerina whilst its tea leaves in the base comparable to the weeping willows in the wind -- such soul-capturing beauty is simply beyond words!
As with ming ching long jing (dragon well tea), so with these blooming teas: try to brew it in a large-sized wine glasses, one hand-tied tea 'ball' at a time (to do these heart-throbs justice, I used my newly bought Riedel 'O' Cabernet stemless wine glasses). Gently pour in hot water at about 80℃ (boiling water for green or white tea is always advise against). Allow 2-4 minutes soaking time, you'll see how the tea ball turn from a sleeping beauty to a willowy stunner. Each tea ball can be served up to 3 times.
Currently the store has 5 different specifications for sale. Each combination of flower and teas has its unique appearance and floral fragrant. The names of them are equally beguiling; there are red flower blossom (globe amaranth, pictured top); jasmine pearl-shaped (jasmine and pearl-shaped chrysanthemum, pictured middle); coral (jasmine and carnation); jasmine chrysanthemum and watery hamper (lily, pictured bottom). Each pack of these comes with about eight to nine blooming tea 'balls' and costs roughly HK$200.
WOW!
they look fantastic! I have been drinking jasmine pearl tea.... but these are something else all together . Thanks so much for sharing :)
Posted by: clare eats | August 06, 2005 at 08:13 PM
Oh so thats what Fook Ming Tong sells!!! I walked pass it last week without realising what it is. I thought it is only an ordinary tea shop.
Posted by: kuponuts | August 06, 2005 at 08:28 PM
There is a tea shop in Columbus, Ohio, run by a group of young Asian men which sells these teas. Of course, I had to try some. They are lovely.
Posted by: Barbara | August 08, 2005 at 06:07 AM
This is lovely. I wish we have more and more sofisticated tea culture in Hong Kong.
Posted by: lilya | August 09, 2005 at 06:44 PM
I bought some Chinese tea cups from Fook Ming Tong at the airport departure lounge. Wish I'd bought more tea, I've almost run out ...
Posted by: Bromgrev | August 14, 2005 at 12:07 AM
Actually, I was impressed by such pretty flowers 2 years ago and I decide to bring it to Montreal. I've made 12 types of different elegant blooming tea according to Zodiac sign. Take a look when u have time.
www.my-cup-of-tea.com
Posted by: Kenny | March 02, 2006 at 09:09 AM
Hi, I think this blooming zodiac tea is amazing. This store of Kenny's in Montreal has not only the 12 zodiacs to choose from, but also different fruity flavours as well. It's bring the East culture to the West!!
Posted by: Joanne | March 05, 2006 at 02:11 AM
What a good lesson in how doing what you love and making things with care can result in having your own happily ever after.
Posted by: Andrew Spark | March 14, 2006 at 04:49 PM