How to Brew Floral & Special Teas

Our Special Brewed Teas are a premium experience. These are whole-leaf, high-quality teas served in glass teapots at the table. They are completely different from our iced boba and fruit teas -- they take more care to prepare, and the presentation is part of the product. This page covers proper brewing for each tea on the menu.

The Tea Menu

Tea	Price	Type	Water Temp	First Steep	Re-steeps
Blooming Rose	$6.50	Flower tea (green base)	180F	3-4 min	2-3 more
Eternal Blossom Pearl	$7.50	Flower tea (green base)	180F	4-5 min	2-3 more
Tie Guan Yin	$7.50	Oolong	200F	2-3 min	4-5 more
Da Hong Pao	$7.50	Oolong	200-212F	2-3 min	4-5 more
West Lake Dragon Well	$7.50	Green	175-180F	2 min	2-3 more
Jasmine Dragon Pearl	$5.50	Green (scented)	180F	3 min	2-3 more

Water Temperature Matters

Different teas need different water temperatures. Green and flower teas are delicate -- boiling water (212F) will scorch them and make them bitter. Oolong teas can handle hotter water. Use the temperature guide above for every brew.

Equipment

Item	Purpose
Glass teapot	For serving (presentation is key)
Electric kettle with temp control	For precise water temperature
Tea tongs or spoon	For handling tea leaves
Small plate or saucer	Under the teapot
Timer	For accurate steep times

General Brewing Steps

These steps apply to all six teas. Specific notes for each tea follow below.

Step 1: Heat the Water

Set the electric kettle to the correct temperature for the tea being ordered. If the kettle does not have temperature settings:

• 175-180F: Bring to a boil, then let it sit with the lid off for 3-4 minutes
• 200F: Bring to a boil, then let it sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute
• 212F: Full rolling boil, use immediately

Step 2: Warm the Teapot

Pour a small amount of hot water into the glass teapot, swirl it around, and dump it out. This pre-warms the pot so the brewing temperature stays consistent and prevents thermal shock to the glass.

Step 3: Add the Tea

Place the appropriate amount of tea into the warmed teapot:

Tea	Amount per pot
Blooming Rose	1 bloom ball
Eternal Blossom Pearl	1 bloom ball
Tie Guan Yin	1 tablespoon of rolled leaves
Da Hong Pao	1 tablespoon of twisted leaves
West Lake Dragon Well	1 tablespoon of flat leaves
Jasmine Dragon Pearl	1 tablespoon of rolled pearls

Step 4: Pour the Water

Pour the water at the correct temperature into the teapot. Fill it about 3/4 full to leave room for the leaves to expand.

For blooming teas, pour slowly and directly over the bloom ball so it begins to open.

Step 5: Steep

Start the timer for the appropriate steep time (see the table above). Do not walk away and forget -- over-steeping makes the tea bitter.

Step 6: Serve

Bring the teapot to the customer's table on a saucer, along with a tea cup. For blooming teas, time the delivery so the customer can watch the bloom open -- this is the best part.

Re-Steeping

Let the customer know their tea can be steeped multiple times. Offer to add more hot water when they are ready. Each re-steep should be 30 seconds to 1 minute longer than the previous steep. Oolong teas (Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao) get better on the second and third steep.

Tea-Specific Notes

Blooming Rose

This is a hand-tied flower tea that unfurls into a rose-like shape when hot water is added. The visual effect takes about 2-3 minutes to fully open.

• Use 180F water -- boiling water will cause the bloom to open too fast and lose its shape
• Pour the water gently, not in a hard stream
• Do not agitate or swirl the pot while it is blooming
• The tea has a light, floral flavor with a green tea base
• Good for 2-3 re-steeps before the flavor fades

Photo Opportunity

Many customers order blooming teas specifically for the visual. If the customer seems excited about it, let them know to watch for the bloom. It makes for a great social media moment that brings us attention on Hay Street.

Eternal Blossom Pearl

Similar to Blooming Rose but with a more dramatic bloom that reveals a flower arrangement inside the ball. This is our most visually impressive tea.

• Same brewing approach as Blooming Rose (180F, gentle pour)
• Takes 3-5 minutes to fully open
• The bloom is larger and more dramatic than the Blooming Rose
• Slightly more delicate flavor; do not over-steep the first pour

Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy)

A classic Chinese oolong with a smooth, slightly roasted flavor and a sweet, lingering aftertaste.

• Use 200F water
• The tightly rolled leaves will expand dramatically -- they need room
• First steep: 2-3 minutes
• This tea rewards patience -- the second and third steeps are often the best
• Can handle 4-5 re-steeps total
• Flavor notes: orchid, creamy, lightly roasted

Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe)

A bold, mineral-rich oolong with smoky, roasted character. This is our most robust tea.

• Use 200-212F water -- this tea can handle the heat
• First steep: 2-3 minutes
• Bold flavor from the first steep; mellows and sweetens with re-steeps
• Can handle 4-5 re-steeps
• Flavor notes: mineral, smoky, roasted, dark stone fruit

For Tea Enthusiasts

Da Hong Pao is one of the most famous Chinese teas. If a customer orders it, they likely know their tea. Give it proper attention -- warm the pot, use the right temperature, and do not rush the steep.

West Lake Dragon Well (Longjing)

A famous Chinese green tea with flat, pan-fired leaves and a sweet, nutty, chestnut-like flavor.

• Use 175-180F water -- this is the most temperature-sensitive tea on our menu
• First steep: 2 minutes only. Over-steeping makes it bitter quickly
• The flat leaves will float and then slowly sink -- this is normal
• Good for 2-3 re-steeps
• Flavor notes: chestnut, vegetal, sweet, clean

Temperature Is Critical

Dragon Well is the easiest tea to ruin with water that is too hot. If you use boiling water, it will taste bitter and astringent. If you are not sure the water has cooled enough, wait an extra minute. A slightly cooler brew is better than a scalded one.

Jasmine Dragon Pearl

Hand-rolled green tea pearls that have been scented with jasmine blossoms. The pearls unfurl in the water, releasing jasmine aroma.

• Use 180F water
• First steep: 3 minutes
• The pearls will slowly unroll in the pot -- visually appealing
• Good for 2-3 re-steeps
• Flavor notes: strong jasmine aroma, smooth green tea base, slightly sweet
• This is our most affordable special brewed tea at $5.50

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Result	Prevention
Using boiling water for green/flower teas	Bitter, astringent flavor	Check the temperature chart every time
Over-steeping	Bitter and undrinkable	Set a timer, do not walk away
Under-filling the pot	Leaves are not fully submerged	Fill to 3/4 full
Using a dirty teapot	Off flavors, visible residue	Inspect the pot before each use
Rushing the bloom on flower teas	Customer misses the visual	Time delivery so they can watch
Forgetting to offer re-steeps	Customer misses the full experience	Mention it when you serve the pot

Cleanup

• Rinse the glass teapot immediately after the customer is done
• Do not let tea leaves sit in the pot -- they stain
• Wash with warm water and a soft brush (no soap residue)
• Inspect for cracks before storing -- cracked glass teapots can break when hot water is added

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Last updated: March 2026