I’ve been on a bit of a tea journey recently, creating my own blends to sell in a new cafe at the back of my fragrance shop. Getting the taste right has been remarkably similar to making perfume – combining the elements to get just the right mix. In my view, the tea itself should be the main event; it should never be drowned out by other aromatic additions.
— Perfumer Lyn Harris of Miller Harris talks about blending teas in Make tea to a tea at the UK Times Online.
Seems we fragrance nuts have quite an affinity for tea. Vancouver's an amazing city for tea shops — must be our British heritage? — with all sorts of green, white and black scented teas and fruit tisanes. My favourite early fall tea has been a black tea with rose petals, orange and vanilla; our roses really love the mild October days and cool nights and it seems very much in tune with the season. In the summer, it was another black tea, this time flavoured with dried peach and apricot, which gave me the fleeting impression of Japanese golden osmanthus. Mmm. . .I guess it's no wonder I love tea scents as well. Coffee's nice from time to time, but it just doesn't seem to have that gentle, meditative, soothing quality that a good cup of tea has.
And then there's chocolate. . .
I've been looking for a nice green tea w/ rose petals (I mostly drink green & almost never black). There aren't so many as there ought to be. My favorite so far is still Mariage Freres Lune Rouge, but it's darned hard to find so I need a new one.
Have you tried Upton Tea Imports? I haven't had either of their Green Tea w/ Rose varieties, but have been pleased with their quality overall.
Try Tea Fountain – he has a website and makes some gorgeous blends. He doesn't have a rose exactly but he does have some green florals other than just jasmine. You never know, he may blend one if you ask – not sure how that works. His Touareg Nana green pearls with mint is one of my faves. Any of you tea folks would do well do visit the site and check it out. He has a store in Mill Valley if you are Bay Area.
I adore Upton and order from them frequently, but don't happen to love their green rose tea. Thanks anyway!
Thanks, I had not heard of them & will check it out!
I loved tea way before I started caring for perfumes. I was born and raised in Europe – and we had tea in my country. I love teas just as much as I love fragrances. You know what else is similar to perfume? Wine – even though I am not into wine at all, the way wine connoisseur;s describe them is as if they were speaking of perfumes! Top, middle and base notes, depth etc.
Have You ever tried mighty leaf teas? They are exceptional! Exotic, full flavors and cute, silken tea poches… I love all of them
When I am in 'the mall' smoozing samples out of the Sephora SA, I often stop at Teavana. They usually have two teas made up to sample (LOL, I love samples) one herbal, one with caffiene or mate. Sometimes they are blends of 2 blends. Rooibis Chai with MateVana is a nice chocolatey, spice blend. Another nummy blend is Spice Nut Mate with Honeybush vanilla.
Have you seen this one yet, Robin?
http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/Rooibos-Teas/Rooibos-Rose-Garden-Rooibos-Tea.axd
Or this one…
http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/Flavored-Scented-Green-Teas/Japanese-Wild-Cherry-Flavored-Green-Tea.axd
I came to tea through perfume…specifically, got interested in floral teas. Now I'm as much a tea snob as a perfume snob
Will look for them, thanks!
I've been to Teavana but haven't tried that Rooibos, will have to look for it! My favorite floral rooibos is Upton's Rooibos Pretoria, which is really lovely.
I will check Upton's out, thanks. Not sure if we have a store here, but I will look at their site.
Another interesting discussion could be what type of honey, and from which region, you put in your tea and/or coffee. Much like perfume, tea, wine, etc…
My favorite is a local orange blossom honey. '~)
Fellow Vancouverite, I would be delighted to invite you for a cup of tea!
Divinemama, I think they've only got 1 store, and can't remember where it is…
I drink mine straight, except for Ginger tea which I load up with honey — and sadly, don't even know what kind it is, although I do buy local honey!
Ayala, YES!! Find me on MUA; I'm rrazzell. Let's do tea.