The flowers inside a blooming tea

Every Master T bloom starts with the same pan-fired green tea. The flower changes the shape, the color in the glass, and the scent of the liquor. These are the five we tie, and the teas that carry them. All of them are in the collection.

Jasmine

Jasmine is the aromatic line through most of the set. It is a familiar Chinese pairing with green tea: soft, sweet, and present in the steam before the flower has fully opened. You will find it in Nymph, Flora’s, Cardinal, The Pleiades, Butterfly Waltz, Persephone, Love Story, Vestal, Ruby Tiara, Twin Towers, Rebirth from the Flame, and Dragonfire.

Lily

Lily is cooler and more spare. Maple is lily alone, for people who want one pale flower and a green cup. Flora’s, Cardinal, and Dragonfire place lily next to jasmine or amaranth so the shape stays light.

Globe amaranth

Amaranth is what holds a crown together. The small clover-like blossoms keep their color in hot water and give the taller ties their structure. It runs through The Pleiades, Butterfly Waltz, Lucky Summit, Persephone, Love Story, Vestal, Ruby Tiara, Twin Towers, Rebirth from the Flame, and Dragonfire.

Pot marigold

Marigold is the warm color. Phoenix is marigold and nothing else, tied to rise in a spiral. Nymph, Butterfly Waltz, Lucky Summit, Persephone, Love Story, Vestal, Twin Towers, and Rebirth from the Flame use it as the bright note against jasmine or amaranth.

Carnation

Carnation appears once. Oxblood is a single deep carnation in pan-fired green tea. It opens darker than the rest of the collection and the liquor has a soft, peppery edge. If you only buy one piece to see what the craft can do, Oxblood and Phoenix show the two ends: one flower, two very different cups.

None of these are flavorings added after the fact. The blossom in the glass is the blossom that was tied into the tea.