Why I Don’t Buy Flowering Teas
May 1, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under Beautiful Things, Tea
Once upon a time I saw a lovely cake in a bakery. It was beautiful, with edible glitter,scrolls, and royal icing lace. It tasted like cardboard.
HA! You say, what does that have to do with flowering teas?
I admit that while I like tea alot I am not a tea snob. I dislike words like bouquet unless they are talking about flowers, and you guys know that I have had it with hearing that a coffee is chocolaty and nutty. Grr. You should be able to say, hey this tea tasted good…it smelled great and it reminded me of mint juleps..or whatever.
Now, if you are a tea snob please don’t get offended. I am a snob in other areas, like architecture and antiques. I personally know the difference between a Roycroft and a Greene and Greene. But tea? I want it to taste good.
The flowering teas always seem like a great idea for Mother’s Day but really they are not, in my ever so humble opinion, that great. They are very grassy tasting for the most part, and often they do not open properly so you have an odd lump of plant cells in the center of your clear glass teapot. I once waited for several hours for one to open up. It was Numi, too.
So, if your Mum likes flowers, by all means, get her flowers. If she likes tea then get her tea. If you have money get her both but don’t try to do it all in one juxtaposed mess. Because then the cheap figurine that your sister buys her at Wal-mart is going to rack up brownie points as everyone waits for the tea to turn into a flower.
This is the formal parlor. It is always clean, and it is the room that I take company to. You know the people who come to the front door rather than the kitchen door. 
People who MIGHT want to drink flowering tea. I love this room. I sent Marc to visit his brother in Mass, for 3 days so I could stencil the walls. Yep..that is not paper, it is hand stenciled. The woodgrain is faux grained, too. I worked round the clock (lots of coffee) until he got back. But he liked it. 
If YOU came to tea we would probably only pass through here. As I said, it is for company.
Image:Morguefile
Image:Marye Audet
You, my friend, are nuts.
Amazingly creative, intelligent, and talented beyond belief, but totally and hopelessly nutziod.
Handstenciled. The whole thing. Oh, my, goodness.
And this was a big shockeroo? That I am nuts?
I still need to stencil the ceilings in there.
When you’re done with that… come teach me how to do that to my house….. I promise to give you non-snobby tea.
Better yet, you and ingrid come here..she can retile my bathroom and I willr teach you how to stencil..I told ya..I still have the ceiling to do.
You are so funny, but I also do not prefer a flowering tea…I’ll stick with Earl Grey, he’s nice.
Cathy..You forgot hot…He is HOT.
I have been gifted with flowering teas. I, too, was not impressed.
Marye,
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I love yours! Glad to make your acquaintance.
I have never been fond of florals, perfume, tea, decorations, or even real flowers. I prefer fruits in my teas and musky perfumes.
My grandmother collected teacups and saucers. I need some ideas of ways to use/display those. I like the Royal Albert Rose pattern (I think that is the name of it…) that she had. I can still get that pattern at Dillard’s. Someday when I win the lottery, and money is no longer an issue, I will have a whole set, just to honor her memory.
Great post Marye. I just saw some blooming teas at Teavana, but thought I wouldn’t particularly like that. Glad to know you agree.
Loralie- Thanks for stopping by.
Chelf-That ROyal ALbert pattern, Old Country Roses, is fantastic!
Peggy- glad to be of help.
I was concerned I would log on and have 50 flaming posts from people who absolutely LOVE the tea.
whew.
Hi Marye,
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog post about ‘tea’. I chuckled to read your own comments re floral and other teas – I am in complete agreement with you! Earl Grey and English Breakfast (and similar good old fashioned teas) are the only ones I drink. My hubby would have a fit if I served up a cup of something smelling like roses or lavender to DRINK!!!!
Gina- I do like lavender and rose..but the hand sewn flowering teas that I have tried have been a disappointment.