Rose tea: tasty, healthy and for everyone
Do we have any fans of beautifully flowering roses and everything associated with them? If so, you are in the right place. In this article we focus on dried rosebuds and petals — or, more precisely, teas made with them. Curious? Ready? Let us get started!
Rose tea versus rosehip tea
Do not be misled by the similar names: rose tea and rosehip tea are made differently, from different parts of the plant, and consequently offer different flavours, aromas and properties.
Rose tea is a herbal infusion made by steeping rosebuds or petals in water. Rosehip tea, on the other hand, is made from rose fruits. Find out more about rosehip infusion — its constituents, associated medicinal properties and kitchen uses — in our separate article, Rosehip tea: an underrated treasure trove of health.
Two ways to enjoy rose petal tea
One interesting feature of rose tea is that it can be prepared in two different ways.
With dried rosebuds or petals, you can easily make an aromatic alternative to black or green tea. It is worth noting that a drink based solely on rose ingredients is caffeine-free.
You can also find rose tea blends, such as black tea with rose petals or loose-leaf white tea with rose petals. These contain actual tea leaves, so the theine — the caffeine in tea — has a stimulating effect.
Our coffee and tea shop offers Albert Tea Relax, a tinned herbal blend containing rose petals, lemon balm, rooibos, hibiscus and marigold, among other ingredients. It is ideal as a treat for yourself after an exhausting day, or as a thoughtful gift for someone close to you.
The properties of rose tea
Rose petals contain valuable vitamins, including C, A, E and K, as well as antioxidants. These are why rose tea is regarded as a drink with beneficial effects on the body. Drinking it is particularly associated with maintaining youthful, healthy-looking skin. Rose petals have cleansing, moisturising, antibacterial and soothing properties. The tea's fragrance is also relaxing, helping to ease anxiety, restlessness and stress, which makes it a good choice in the afternoon or evening.
How to prepare rose tea
To make a delicious, aromatic rose tea, start with the main ingredient: dried rosebuds suitable for culinary use. Notice that we suggest buds rather than petals. Why? To give the infusion a more pronounced, intense flavour.
- Measure 1–2 teaspoons of rosebuds into an infuser or filter.
- Pour over boiling water, preferably filtered.
- Cover and infuse for around 2–5 minutes.
- Remove the buds from the drink.
- Enjoy the excellent flavour and aroma of rose tea.
Tea with rose preserve and rose petals
Rose preserve is one of the best additions to tea, especially in autumn and winter. Once you add it, you need no other sweetener: the preserve's floral character gives the tea a sweet, delicious aftertaste. Do not forget the rose petals, which enhance the drink's taste, appearance and associated health benefits.
Other uses for rose petals
Rose petals are popular in the kitchen. Besides rose petal or rosebud tea, you can make an especially delicious caffè latte by adding natural rose-flavoured syrup, available here, and sprinkling rose petals over the milk foam. You must try this recipe!
Read also: Café-style coffee at home? It is possible!
In cooking, rose petals and buds are often used to make infused spirits and to decorate cakes, salads and even cocktails. As edible ingredients, they offer plenty of scope for experimentation.
Their uses extend beyond the kitchen. As mentioned earlier, rose ingredients are also associated with benefits for the skin, which is why they feature in cosmetics. Beauty retailers, salons and spas offer products such as rose oil, rose water, bath salts, facial toner, body scrubs and face masks.
Read also: Colourful tea: a few words about bubble tea