Blending is a process of blending different teas together to enhance the flavors and create a new or favored flavor profile. Tea blends can be blends from different growing regions or leaves can be blended with herbs, dried fruits and fruit zest and flowers. Perfumes, flavorants and essential oils are often added to add flavor and aroma.
Black Blends
Breakfast teas are blends of different black teas that together are more robust and full-bodied in flavor than the individual; eaves. English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast and Scottish Breakfast are all popular blends of robust black teas.
Afternoon blends are also blends of black tea. These blends tend to be lighter in flavor than breakfast blends. Breakfast and Afternoon Tea are often enjoyed at any time of day.
Flower Blends
Jasmine tea is a well know blend of green le with jasmine flowers, resulting in a delicious brew that is mildly flavored and scented by the jasmine flowers. The jasmine flowers are usually removed after the flavor and scent have been absorbed.
Chrysanthemum tea is often pure chrysanthemum flowers, although sometimes the blend contains black or green tea leaves.
Herbal and Fruit Blends
An herb that is commonly blended with tea is mint. Mint is often used alone as an herbal tisane, or blended with black tea. Fresh mint is often used as a garnish as well.
Dried fruit and fruit zests are popular. Citrus zests combined with cinnamon and spices are popular in "Russian" blends. Bits of dried cherry, mango, cranberry, peach and other fruits are often combined with tea leaves and spices.
Spice Blends
Spices are often blended with tea, especially in Indian, African and Middle Eastern cultures. Chai and Thai Tea are popular spice blends. Spices used most often include ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cassia, black pepper, clove, anise, fennel, bay leaf, nutmeg, mace and vanilla.
Most blends are made with black leaves, but green blends are becoming popular because of their additional health benefits. White tea can be easily overpowered by strong flavors, so it is used with only very delicate flavor blends.
Look for Quality Specialty Blends
Blending tea with these flavor enhancers is a common technique used to boost the flavor of poor quality leaves, so it is important to know that you are purchasing from a high quality purveyor. Often these blends will sell at a premium over the cost of the individual leaves, so you want to get the quality you are paying for.
