Tea Blending

We recently received a request from one of our customers who wanted to know how to blend teas at home. Here are a few tips. 

First, it's a matter of taste. Your perfect cup of tea may not be someone else's. Flavor is the first thing you need to consider. Are you looking for a stronger flavor? Or are you looking to add some flavor to your already favorite cup?

For example:

• Earl Grey is a great base to blend with vanilla or citrus flavor. Try our Earl Grey Citrus or Blue Flower Earl Grey Créme.
• Lavender is a great addition to herbal teas. We added the perfect amount to our Egyptian Chamomile Lavender . 
• Rooibos tea is a great base for added flavors. It is naturally non-caffeinated and great to create herbal blends. Try adding, dried fruits, dried herbs, and dried flowers.
• Rooibos is also a good addition to a smoky Lapsang or a Pu-erh. It adds  extra body and a little sweetness to these smoky teas. 

Next to consider is temperature. You don't want to blend a tea that needs to steep for 4-5 minutes in boiling water, with a green, white, or herbal tea that steep for more or less time and at a lower temperature. 

• Blend a black tea with a black tea. Do you enjoy Assam tea but want to add a little flavor to it? Try blending a flavored black tea with it.
• Green tea blends well with a different or flavored green or a white tea that requires the same temperature and steeping time.
• Rooibos is a good in-between tea because it goes well with most tea varieties. 

Now, you need to find the find the right ratio for your blend. Too much of one can overpower the other or ruin the flavor you are trying to achieve. It is all really just a matter of taste and trial and error. 

• Decide on the flavors you are trying to blend. A darker tea with a fruity note or a lighter tea with a more fruity or pungent flavor. 
• If you want to add some flavor to a basic green tea try a 50/50 blend of the teas you want to blend.
• If that doesn't work change your ratio. Try 80/20, 60/40 or 70/30. You have to keep working it until you are satisfied with the flavor you are trying to create. 

Finally, consider if your blend needs any added condiments like dried fruit or spices. You can add these condiments to all varieties of tea. But, keep in mind that milk is recommended with most black tea before adding certain dried fruits or herbs because it can change the flavor. Green teas are great with added condiments as long as it is not an astringent green tea. Milk is not recommended with green tea. Some herbal teas can take well to milk if there is a considerable amount of Rooibos in the blend. 

Creating your own blend is a matter of flavor, temperature, and ratio. Have fun and enjoy your cuppa!

Peace, Love & Tea