Rose, Jasmine and Osmanthus Flower Tea

Why people make this tea

There is something deeply satisfying about a tea that smells as good as it tastes and also happens to be good for you. Osmanthus, with its warm golden colour and sweet honey-like fragrance, is actually one of the most underrated flowers in Chinese food therapy. On its own it is wonderful for a dry, uncomfortable stomach or a bloated, gassy feeling after eating. Paired with jasmine — which helps the liver qi flow smoothly and lifts a low or anxious mood — and rose, which the Chinese tradition associates with moving stagnant energy and beautifying the skin, you get a tea that works on the body and the emotions at once. It is a particularly good afternoon choice when stress has tangled up both your mood and your digestion.

Method

1. Place all three flower types into a teapot or large heatproof cup.
2. Pour a small amount of freshly boiled water over the flowers, swirl gently, and drain — this first rinse removes any dust.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot, cover, and steep for 5 minutes.
4. Pour and enjoy. The same flowers can usually be re-steeped once.

Nourilo’s Tips

The fragrance of flower teas fades faster than most people realise, so buy small quantities and brew them soon after purchasing. Look for these flowers at the floral-tea counters in major department stores or at specialty flower-tea shops — the quality there tends to be more consistent. This tea is best enjoyed fresh and is not suitable for storing overnight. The osmanthus on its own is also lovely steeped as a single-ingredient tea for dry mouth, stomach discomfort, or a dry cough.