- Apr 21, 2024
The Art of Crafting West Lake Lotus Tea: Revealed!
Lotus Infused Tea from West Lake has long been a cultural icon of the ancient land of Hanoi, symbolizing purity and grace. With its unique blend of flavors, this tea is not just a beverage but also a symbol of Vietnamese tea artistry and pride. Discover the secrets of making West Lake Lotus Infused Tea with Chus!
Introduction to West Lake Lotus Infused Tea and its Making Process
West Lake Lotus Infused Tea has long been revered as a precious beverage, representing the essence of the land and sky, and a source of pride for the people of Hanoi. Renowned for its distinct aroma blending the scent of lotus flowers with green tea, its sweet, refreshing taste, and lingering sweetness, West Lake Lotus Infused Tea offers a truly special experience for tea enthusiasts.
Originating from West Lake, Hanoi, this tea benefits from the ideal conditions for growing the rare and precious Bách Diệp lotus flowers, which are used to infuse the tea. The meticulous process of producing a complete batch of West Lake Lotus Infused Tea typically involves several stages:
- Tea Harvesting: West Lake Lotus Infused Tea is made from premium Shan snow tea or using Tan Cuong green tea buds, harvested early in the morning when the tea buds are still covered in dew.
- Tea Infusion: Lotus flowers are picked early in the morning when they bloom, exuding their most intense fragrance. The tea is then manually infused with lotus flowers, undergoing several meticulous steps. It may take over 1000 fresh lotus flowers to produce 1 kg of finished West Lake Lotus Infused Tea. The tea infusion process is intricate and demands patience and dedication from the craftsmen.
- Tea Drying: After the tea has been infused with lotus flowers, it is dried to preserve its quality.
However, craftsmen may also use the method of directly infusing tea into lotus flowers, known as soaked lotus tea, instead of using rice to infuse the tea. This method may shorten the time needed but, according to many, may result in slight differences in flavor
Currently, there are two types of West Lake Lotus Infused Tea available for purchase, depending on your preferences:
- Lotus Infused Tea Only: This type of tea contains only tea leaves, without lotus flowers. The tea is infused with lotus flowers and then the tea is separated and sold without the lotus flowers. Lotus tea without lotus flowers is usually used for daily tea brewing.
- Whole Lotus Infused Tea: This type of tea contains both tea leaves and lotus flowers. Whole Lotus Infused Tea is often used for special occasions or as gifts.
Lotus Infused Tea in Vietnamese Culture
Since ancient times, lotus flowers have been a symbol of beauty, purity, and noble spirit in Vietnamese culture. Lotus is depicted in poetry, painting, sculpture, and has been an endless inspiration for poets and writers. The image of lotus flowers rising from the mud yet retaining their purity and beauty symbolizes the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Tea culture has long played an important role in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Tea is seen as a refined, delicate beverage that helps people relax, meditate, and connect with each other. Tea appreciation is an art form, and the tea drinker is perhaps an "artisan".
Vietnamese Lotus Infused Tea is a special type of tea, manually infused with lotus flowers. This tea has a gentle aroma, sweet taste, and deep sweetness, offering tea enthusiasts a truly special experience. Lotus tea is considered the "first-class tea of heaven and earth", representing the essence of Vietnamese tea. Lotus tea has a long history in Vietnam, closely associated with the country's developmental stages. According to historical records, lotus tea has been used since the reign of King Tu Duc. Lotus tea is a favorite beverage in the royal court and among the aristocracy.
Additionally, you may have heard of the term "white lotus infusion tea", while West Lake Lotus Infused Tea, although it goes by a different name, aims to achieve the same essence - tea infused with lotus fragrance. However, the difference lies in the fact that white lotus infusion tea is made from Hue lotus flowers, while West Lake Lotus Infused Tea is made from the essence of lotus flowers from Hanoi. Hue lotus flowers can also be used to infuse tea, creating a unique flavor.
Conclusion
Above are insights into the famous West Lake Lotus Infused Tea, deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural heritage. Hopefully, this article has provided you with more useful and interesting information. With its delicious flavor, health benefits, and meticulous processing, West Lake Lotus Infused Tea deserves to be savored by everyone at least once. You can purchase lotus tea on Chus's official website or place an order through their hotline and fan page.