Tea blending is an art — a time-honored craft that has spanned from ancient times to our modern era. With the invention of tea bags and pre-made blends, many tea drinkers have forgotten this art form, but if you are looking to expand your tea knowledge or take your tea drinking to the next level, blending your own tea can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Blending tea requires creativity, knowledge, and patience. To begin, it is important to know the different types of tea leaves and what flavors they offer:

• Black tea: strong, full-bodied, and brisk with earthy flavors like chocolate, malt, and honey
• Green tea: fresh, light, and grassy with flavors such as herbaceous, floral, and nutty
• Oolong tea: complex, medium-bodied, and fruity with notes of stone fruit, honey, and caramel
• White tea: delicate, light, and sweet with notes of fruit, flowers, and honey
• Herbal tea: caffeine-free infusion of herbs, flowers, or fruits with various flavors like soothing chamomile, spicy ginger, or tangy hibiscus

Each of these tea types has a distinct flavor profile, and blending them unlocks a unique flavor experience. Here are some tips to get you started on your blending journey:

1. Start with Small Batches

When beginning, start with small batches of tea blends. Blending tea is a delicate process, and too much of one ingredient can overpower the entire blend. It is best to play around with small portions until you develop a blend that you like and then make a larger batch of it.

2. Know Your Ingredients

It is essential to know the flavor profiles of different teas and ingredients before you start blending. Experiment with the separate ingredients by tasting them, either individually or in combinations, to create profiles that complement each other. Once you have an idea of the taste of each ingredient independently, you can try blending them to see how they affect the final product.

3. Use High-Quality Ingredients

Always use high-quality tea leaves and fresh, organic herbs, spices, and fruits for the best taste. The quality of the ingredients affects the flavor of the final product, so choose your ingredients wisely. You can also experiment with different tea leaves from different regions like Darjeeling, Assam or Nilgiris from India, or Ceylon or Uva from Sri Lanka.

4. Keep a record of Your Recipes

Once you develop a blend that you like, it is essential to keep track of the recipe, including the proportions of each ingredient. This will ensure that you can recreate the same tea in the future.

5. Experiment with Flavors

Don't be afraid to try different flavors and combinations. Some popular ones include herbal blends like mint and chamomile, spiced blends like cinnamon and cardamom, and floral blends like rose and lavender. You can also add your twist of flavors, creating unique blends such as jasmine and mango or vanilla and coconut.

6. Equipment

Having the necessary tools is crucial when blending tea. You need a blender or grinder for blending dried herbs, and sometimes tea leaves, and tea bags or a tea strainer to steep the blend. A mortar and pestle is also useful for grinding fresh herbs and spices.

7. Don't Forget the Fun Part

Blending tea is not just about the end product but also a sensory experience. The smell and feel of the tea are equally important. Take your time to inhale the aroma of each blend, touch, and feel the leaves, and enjoy the colors. The process of blending should be fun, enjoyable, and reflective.

A Simple Recipe to Start

Here is an easy-to-make recipe for a basic tea blend:

• 40% Black tea
• 30% Green tea
• 20% White tea
• 10% Rose petals

Blend the tea leaves and rose petals in the proportion mentioned above. Use two teaspoons of this blend in a cup or a teapot, and steep it for three minutes in 80-90°C water.

Blending tea is a trial-and-error process that requires patience and experimentation. Once you master the art of blending tea, you will be able to create unique blends that suit your taste and preference. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!