On a day that many people are thinking about roses, so am I, but in the form of a very pleasant tisane. Infusions of young Chinese rose buds (Mei Gui Hua 玫瑰花) are a traditional tea used in Chinese medicine. Every Chinese apothecary I’ve been in carries it, and so do many Chinese tea shops, but the prices and freshness vary tremendously. I nearly always see it offered in two types, red and pink.
The dry buds are quite lovely and smell completely unlike that cloying scent of your grandmother’s perfume. It’s very easy to brew consistently: pour boiling water over it and let steep for a while, perhaps somewhere between 3-12 minutes. I don’t think it’s possible to over steep it. I was able to get 4 infusions out of it before the buds began to fall apart and lose their color.
It’s quite a pleasant beverage for times when you want to drink something without caffeine. It also has the added benefit of looking quite pretty in the pot. Naturally I recommend a glass brewing vessel for maximum effect.
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February 15, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Yes, I was thinking about roses as well, but not drinking them. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could dry and steep the roses my darling husband sent me for Valentine’s Day.
February 15, 2009 at 7:14 pm
that sounds really good ill have to try that.
February 17, 2009 at 2:32 pm
That actually sounds quite good, though not a true tea, it looks quite refreshing. Amazing that roses can have such an impact on heated water!
February 17, 2009 at 7:57 pm
i know this is prolly a stupid question what is that dish u got the rose buds in?
February 18, 2009 at 9:34 am
Tyler –
It’s not a stupid question. That is a Chinese presentation vessel, sometimes called a “tea caddy.” It’s used in Gongfu Cha to display the pre-brewed leaf to the guests and to make it easier to transfer the leaf into the gaiwan or pot with a tea scoop.
February 18, 2009 at 1:44 pm
ok i was wondering what that was
February 19, 2009 at 12:54 am
I’ve just started drinking rosebud tea myself, and really enjoy it. As you note, it is not at all sweet or cloying, and it makes for a soothing evening/bedtime drink.
February 19, 2009 at 5:42 pm
i finally got the jade oolong i bought its so good
February 19, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Nice – I really like jade oolong myself.