How to Make Scented and Flavored Teas at Home

Andreea Macoveiciuc | On 04, Feb 2014

Despite being obtained from the leaves of the same plant, true teas – meaning green, black, white, oolong and pu-erh – come not only with different colors but also with distinct flavors and health benefits.

The differences between these beverages made from Camellia sinensis are given by the conditions of cultivation, harvesting season and steps followed when processing the leaves. None of these factors can be influenced by the regular tea drinker, so at least theoretically, tea should have the same taste regardless of how it’s prepared, if it comes from the same harvest.

However, if you start experimenting and testing different types of tea, you’ll soon notice that there are, in fact, some factors that can be influenced by the person who prepares the beverage, and they all affect the taste of tea in a more or less significant manner.

In a previous article, I explained how each type of tea should be brewed and how the water’s temperature, the steeping time and the amount of loose leaves used for preparing the beverage influence the final taste. Also, in this article I gave you some additional information on how the plucking season affects the taste of tea.

It’s therefore time to talk about other methods of enhancing the tea’s taste, applicable for both commercial and homemade teas: flavoring and scenting.

Why and how is tea flavored?

The main reason for flavoring or scenting tea is to obtain different blends, styles and flavors, and to create distinctive, enhanced tastes for the classical types of tea. Some producers scent their teas by mixing the Camellia sinensis leaves with flower buds and petals, or by layering the tea and flower parts in order to allow the leaves to absorb the fragrances released by flowers.

Others prefer to flavor their tea blends with flower extracts and oils, this procedure being a bit simpler. Artificial flavors, which are obtained by altering naturally occurring compounds, can also be used for producing teas with more intense tastes, without affecting the quality of these beverages. To obtain new tea assortments, the flavoring agents are poured or sprayed over the dry Camellia sinensis leaves.

However, the flavoring process can be done at home as well, so if you’re one of those tea drinkers who like experimenting and would love to create your own tea blends, here’s how to prepare flavored tea at home.

How to create your own flavored tea blend

There aren’t too many rules when it comes to preparing home scented or flavored teas, but it’s good to keep in mind that some teas have milder fragrances, while others are naturally stronger and bolder, and these differences will influence the final blends.

Although some prefer using tea bags for preparing flavored teas, my advice is to opt for loose leaves, and get some fillable tea bags, as this way you’ll obtain a more qualitative beverage. If you’re using oils or extracts, start by laying the leaves on a clean surface, in a thin layer, and spray the flavor over them using a small spray bottle.

For a better taste, it’s recommended to lay the leaves on a glass or stainless steel surface and mix them using a spoon after spraying the oil, then allow the tea leaves to dry for 20 minutes. The amount of flavor used shouldn’t exceed 4% of the amount of tea leaves, which means 0.04 multiplied with the quantity of leaves.

Once the leaves have dried, transfer them into an airtight container and allow them to absorb the flavor for at least 24 hours and up to 5 days. Make sure to wear latex gloves if transferring the leaves with your hands, or a stainless steel spoon. Store the container in a dry and dark place.

A few extra tips:

• Avoid mixing broken with whole leaves and make sure the leaves have relatively uniform sizes.
• If you prefer using flowers, opt for jasmine, rose, osmanthus flowers or lotus flowers. For scenting the tea with petals, mix the flowers in the tea container and allow the leaves to absorb the fragrances overnight.
• You can also scent and flavor the tea leaves with mint leaves, citrus peel – ideal for black tea, with spices such as ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, fennel and clove, vanilla, nutmeg or anise.
• Black, oolong and green tea are the best choices for preparing homemade flavored tea, as their natural fragrances are more powerful. Remember that the purpose of flavoring your beverage is to enhance its natural taste, not to cover it.

If you’re ready to create your personalized tea blend, start with a base – such as green or black tea – and stick with only one or two flavors until you get used to the process and learn what works and what doesn’t.

To make sure you pick those flavors that will complement the tea’s natural taste, you can also take a look at our collection of flavored green, black, white, oolong or pu-erh tea blends, and check the ingredients in your favorite teas. This will make it easier for you to identify those fruits, flowers or spices that can be mixed with each type of tea, and to get more creative when personalizing your tea blends.

From: http://www.rivertea.com/blog/make-scented-flavored-tea-home/

10 Additives to Make Your Tea Taste Better

What to turn to when bare tea just tastes awful.

Allie Patenaude

University of Richmond

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Tea at times can taste bland and too herbal. Sometimes you need a kick or jest to make your drink more exciting and tasty. Here is a list of 10 additives that will make you want to drink once seemingly boring tea all day long.

This list goes well with all green tea. Most of the juices or ingredients listed are universal, meaning they go with every type of tea. I recommend you be creative and try out each suggestion with a different type of tea. I will list some of the teas I think each goes well with. You may end up finding the perfect combination for yourself.

Have an open mind to these suggestions because they will leave you in awe!

1. Citrus

Rudolf Vicek

Adding grapefruit, oranges, lime or lemon can work as a natural sweetener. You can either cut up slices to add or squeeze the citrus juice into the cup. If you dislike pulp, then use a strainer when squeezing. The lemon and grapefruit are the stronger of the three, but the orange can add a subtle tangy taste to the tea.

Drink with all tea, but specifically any type of citrus tea flavor.

2. Berries

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Hannah Lin

While berries might seem odd to put in a tea, throwing in a mixture of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries will bring a fullness to the drink, leaving you less hungry. This brings more sugar and texture to the tea. I love to use this additive during the spring and summer months, when I want a more fresh and blissful tea.

Drink with lavender, blueberry, peach, or hibiscus tea.

3. Cinnamon

During crisp, fall afternoons or winter, snowy nights cinnamon in your tea will create a spice to the drink. Cinnamon puts me in the spirit of the holidays and allows for a dollop of chocolate to be eaten on the side or mixed into the tea as well. The flakiness of the cinnamon will dissolve if stirred and can truly work wonders in masking the taste of the herbal tea.

Drink with cinnamon, chocolate, pumpkin, or vanilla tea.

4. Honey or Honeysuckle (with lemon if needed)

Tiffany Zau

Honey is a classic ingredient that lots of people use in their tea. But if honey doesn't do enough for you, you can add a splash of lemon and/or a couple flowers of Honeysuckle. This will add a soft and silky taste to the drink that will strike out the leafy taste of the tea. The more honey you the thicker and stickier the drink will become. You can balance the honey with the lemon.

Drink with lemon, lemongrass, orange, or chamomile. Also, drink honey and lemon with hot water.

5. Lemon Verbena, Lemon Basil or Lemon Thyme

If you can't already tell, lemon makes everything better. Adding either all three or lots of one of these herbs will make your tea more aromatic and flavorful. Instead of harsh herbs, you will taste this sweet and lemony herb.

Drink with green, chai, ginger, citrus, or chamomile tea.

6. Mint or Peppermint

If you have smelt mint you will know it is a strong and acquired smell. Add as much or as little to overcome the boring, herbs in green tea.

Drink with green or mint tea.

7. Ginger

Margaret Block

Ginger will add spice and zing to your tea. Not only will it cleanse your sinuses, but it also will settle nausea and flu symptoms. If you include a large amount and let the ginger dissolve, you will get a more sour taste.

Drink with citrus, pomegranate, or chai tea.

Louise Ferrall

8. Maple Syrup

Great for: Vanilla, green, caramel, chocolate, or cinnamon tea.

Pure maple syrup can cure any disgusting tea. Just drop a shot or two in and you will have a cup of gooey, golden goodness.

Drink with vanilla, green, caramel, chocolate, or cinnamon tea.

9. Almond Milk or Coconut Milk

While Almond and Coconut will make your tea creamy, they will be much lighter than a whole milk. The accompanying almond and coconut flavors, which ever you choose, spark an extra flavor that makes the tea much easier to drink.

Drink with cinnamon, chocolate, green, or pumpkin tea.

10. Ice Cream or Sorbet

Sugar! Sugar! And more sugar! A citrus, berry, mint, ginger sorbet or vanilla ice cream are my favorite thing to add to tea. It definitely seems odd, but it melts into yummy goodness that will make you want a second cup of tea. While this isn't very healthy, it sure is delicious.

Drink with raspberry, peach, citrus, or green tea.

With these 10 tips, tea time will get better with each one you try.

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