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Ruby Rosebud Tea
Rose petals from fine and strongly-scented roses have been used to scent black teas for generations in England. It's even possible to find pure rose-petal teas in some specialty tea stores. However, those teas are petals from larger roses; it's extremely rare to find a tea made from the whole rose, since ordinary roses are quite large and contain a bitter center.
These tiny, perfect rosebuds are the whole bud from a miniature rosebush. The baby roses are devoid of bitterness, but rich in romantic perfume and sweet flavor. Their deep color does not fade during brewing, either, so they look pretty floating in your cup or teapot. The brewed tea has a light, sweet flavor that requires no sugar, a full rosy aroma, and a pale lavender color. We love to brew the pure rose tea, but you can also combine the rosebuds with your favorite black or green tea; the flavor is strong enough to scent the tea and create a whole new taste sensation.
Herbal teas often require a longer brewing time than true teas; Ruby Rosebud tea is no exception. We like to brew about 8-10 rosebuds per cup of below-boiling water for about 8 minutes. Hotter water will brew faster, but boiling water may damage the delicate petals. Brewing longer results in stronger tea, brewing shorter results in lighter tea. It's up to you which exact brewing time you prefer. We find that no sugar or cream is required and actually prefer to enjoy the tea by itself, but you should feel free to experiment. Try brewing it double-strength (and double-long) and pouring over ice!
Brewing Recommendations
- Amount: 8-10 buds per cup
- Temperature: ~185 degrees
- Duration: ~8 minutes
Serving Suggestions:
Can be concentrated for an interesting intensity. Stands alone but also
is complemented nicely by a slight bit of sweetener and/or milk. Its natural
sweetness is delightful with a snack.