The Tea Table was a pretty tea store I used to frequent when I was still living in Colorado. It was a charming and cozy place any tea lover would enjoy visiting. A few of my teapots and tea accessories came from there. I was a little sad when they decided to close their shop front. The good news though is that they continue to operate via the internet. Up to this day I still get their updates and newsletters despite having left Colorado for several years now. This 1000 Day Flower Tea was one I spotted and purchased on their website. I believe they no longer carry this tea but you can purchase it here.
This beautiful tea ball consists of tender tea leaves hand tied with an amaranth blossom into the shape of a peach. When brewed, the leaves unfurl to reveal the beautiful blossom. It is a smooth and gentle green tea with a pale golden infusion and light floral notes. It is great as an afternoon or evening tea. The tea ball should be steeped in near boiling water (200°F to 212°F) for a full 5 minutes until it unfurls. A second and third infusion may be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes.
There is a cute fairy tale surrounding the creation of this flowering tea. It is said that the Empress of Heaven ordered the King of Monkeys to guard her precious peach orchard while she prepared for her 60th birthday. Instead of keeping a close watch on those precious peaches, the Monkey King plucked and ate the ripest fruits leaving only the small unripened ones for the party.The furious empress had the monkey stripped of his title and locked away in a cave. Fortunately, he was saved by a monk who taught him to tie fresh green tea leaves with an amaranth blossom into the shape of a peach to appease the empress. So impressed was the empress with the 1,000 tea balls presented to her that she reinstated the position of the monkey as king. Thenceforth, this tea was served on her birthdays instead of peaches as a new symbol of longevity. 🙂
Let’s put the kettle on, it is time for tea! 😎
This tea looks wonderful! I’ve never heard of it, but will definitely be checking it out!
I think so too! It’s pretty to look at. 🙂
Hi Biren, This Flower Tea looks very pretty and lovely presented. Totally love it!!!
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Prosperous Chinese Lunar New Year!
Yes, it is a very pretty tea. Thanks Ann for your well wishes. Here is wishing you Gong Xi Fa Cai and Xin Nian Kuai Le! 🙂
I used to get teas like this one when I lived in Malaysia. Wonderful to see how they open out! I had not thought of looking on Amazon for them, thank you for the idea. They are also available from amazon uk (where I am).
I love going to the Chinese tea shops but sadly the number of such specialty stores have dwindled in recent years. Most people buy their everyday teas from the grocery store. Over in the West, internet purchase makes it very convenient. 🙂
I will have to try a flowering tea very soon. Thank you so much for the story of Empress of Heaven and the King of Monkeys.
You are welcomed, Guin. I hope you get to try a flowering tea soon. It is so fun to watch them unfurl and they do taste pretty good too.
I love this beautiful flowering tea. I have become very fond of them. I must say however it is the very sweet tea cups and tea pot that have caught my eye.
Can you tell me please where you purchased these lovelies??
The teapot was purchased some time ago at Homegoods. They had a bunch of different ones but I unfortunately I have not seen any since. The teacups though were purchased recently at the Tea Source. You can purchase them on line here.
Beautiful, Biren! I had tea like this in a dim sum place in London and the magic of seeing the flower open is unforgettable.