Perfect Rose Tea Brew: How Many Roses? What to Mix?

Roses offer significant health benefits and are frequently used in infusions. However, brewing rose tea requires specific techniques. For rose bud tea, use 5-6 buds per brew with water at 80°C (176°F). The infusion should steep for three minutes. When using rose petals, a single petal suffices, also with 80°C water, and requires only a brief steeping time.

How many roses should you use per brew?

For a standard cup, 5-6 rose buds are typically sufficient. For teapot brewing, adjust the quantity to taste. Rose tea is available in two forms: rose buds (unopened flowers) and rose petals (from semi-open roses).

Rose Bud Tea: Add 6 rose buds to 80°C water and steep for 3 minutes.
Rose Petal Tea: Use one rose petal in 80°C water with a short steeping time.

Expert Tip: Rose tea can be re-steeped up to 3 times. When the water temperature drops to about 60°C (140°F), consider adding honey or rock sugar. Complementary ingredients like lotus leaf, dried hawthorn, or raisins can enhance the flavor profile and nutritional benefits.

What goes well with rose tea?

1. Longan Rose Tea: Combine 5g longan flesh, 5g goji berries, and 2 rose buds. Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. This blend nourishes blood, moisturizes skin, and balances hormones.
2. Jujube Rose Tea: Steep 5 pink roses and 2 pitted red dates in 80°C water. This combination promotes fair and soft skin within a month of regular consumption.
3. Goji Rose Tea: Dried rose and goji tea blend nourishes kidneys, improves eyesight, and reduces internal heat.
4. Milk Rose Tea: Steep 6 roses, 6 goji berries, and 3g raisins in boiling water for 5 minutes. Add 100ml milk. This nutritious blend offers various health benefits.
5. Honeysuckle Rose Tea: Combine 1g honeysuckle, 3 rose buds, 2g ophiopogon, and 2g hawthorn. Steep in boiling water for 15 minutes.
6. Danshen Goji Rose Tea: Mix 3g salvia, 6 goji berries, 6 raisins, and 2 rose buds. This blend may alleviate myocardial ischemia, insomnia, and improve complexion.
7. Papaya Rose Tea: Blend ripe papaya, fresh milk, 3 roses, sugar, and ginger juice. This combination can enhance skin elasticity, balance skin pH, prevent wrinkles, and moisten the lungs.
8. Rose and Prunella Vulgaris Fat-Reducing Tea: Steep 10 roses and 3 prunella vulgaris in boiling water for 8 minutes. This tea promotes appetite, moistens the intestines, and aids in fat excretion.

What should not be mixed with rose tea?

Rose tea should not be brewed with tea leaves. While you can add honey or rock sugar to enhance flavor, combining rose tea with tea leaves is not recommended. Tea leaves contain high levels of tannic acid, which can significantly diminish the medicinal properties of rose tea, particularly its liver-relaxing and mood-enhancing effects.

When preparing rose tea, focus on complementary ingredients that enhance its natural benefits rather than potentially counteracting them. This approach ensures you maximize the health advantages and flavor profile of your rose tea infusion.