Lotus Tea – West Lake Lotus & Thai Nguyen Tea (Whole Blossom)

Fresh-scented Lotus Tea – The Ultimate Tea Experience from Vietnam’s Ancient Tradition

Fresh-scented Lotus Tea, known locally as “Trà Sen Xổi” is not merely a beverage, but an artistic masterpiece created by the skilled hands of Vietnam’s finest tea artisans.

Lord Trịnh Sâm, one of Vietnam’s most celebrated feudal rulers, was famed not only as a devoted tea lover but also as a discerning connoisseur. Historical accounts tell that, during the summer months in the imperial capital of Thăng Long, whenever he longed to savor lotus tea, he would send his attendants — young maidens — to the lakes at twilight. As dusk fell, the lotus blossoms gently closed, forming nature’s perfect infusion chamber. With delicate care, the maidens tucked the finest tea leaves into the heart of each bud, leaving them to mingle with the flower’s fragrance through the night. At dawn, they returned to gather these scented treasures and present them to the lord as “Đệ Nhất Trà” – The King of Tea.

This royal tradition established lotus tea as the ultimate symbol of sophistication and refinement, a status it maintains to this day among Vietnam’s cultural elite and discerning tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Exceptional Ingredients – Nature’s Harmony

Premium Thai Nguyen Green Tea

Each tea bud is carefully selected from the highest tea hills of Tan Cuong, Thai Nguyen—a region blessed by nature with ideal climate and soil conditions. The tea is harvested in early morning when dew still clings to the leaves, ensuring freshness and preserving nature’s complete essence.

The Sacred Lotus: West Lake’s Pink Treasure

The lotus used in authentic Vietnamese lotus tea comes exclusively from the sacred waters of West Lake (Hồ Tây) in Hanoi. These aren’t ordinary lotus flowers—they are the revered “hundred-petal pink lotus” (sen hồng trăm cánh), a variety renowned for its exceptional fragrance and delicate beauty. Each lotus blossom features multiple layers of rose-pink petals that create the perfect natural vessel for tea infusion.

The lotus harvesting process is an art form in itself. Master tea artisans wake before dawn, when the lotus buds are just beginning to show their first blush of color. This timing is crucial—too early and the lotus lacks fragrance; too late and the petals begin to open, losing their ability to naturally seal the tea within. The selected lotus must be:

• Freshly cut at the optimal moment of near-blooming
• Free from any signs of wilting or discoloration
• Possessing intact, undamaged petals
• Exhibiting the characteristic sweet, ethereal lotus fragrance

Characteristics of Hundred-Petaled Lotus:

• Hundred thick petals in vibrant pink
• Pure, naturally sweet fragrance
• Blooms only one season per year (May to July)
• Each bloom contains “lotus rice”—nature’s sacred gift of concentrated essence
• Vietnam’s most fragrant lotus variety

The Process of Creating a Masterpiece

Once the lotus buds arrive at the workshop, the true artistry begins:

Step 1: The Gentle Opening Master craftsmen carefully peel back each lotus petal layer by layer, starting from the outermost petals and working inward. This process requires extraordinary delicacy—each petal must be preserved intact to ensure proper resealing. The petals are arranged in precise order for later reconstruction.

Step 2: The Perfect Measure Approximately 8-10 grams of premium dried tea leaves are gently placed into the inner chamber of the lotus bud, nestled among the smallest, most fragrant inner petals. The quantity is crucial—too little and the lotus fragrance overwhelms the tea; too much and the tea cannot properly absorb the lotus essence.

Step 3: The Artisan’s Touch The lotus petals are carefully restored to their original position, layer by layer, in reverse order. Master artisans use a specialized technique, sliding their fingers beneath each petal fold and gently coaxing them back into their natural arrangement. The skill required for this process takes years to master.

Step 4: The Natural Seal A fresh lotus leaf is wrapped around the entire blossom, creating a natural protective barrier that preserves the lotus essence while allowing the tea to breathe. The wrapped lotus is then placed in clean, cool water with the stem submerged.

Step 5: The Night of Communion The prepared lotus buds rest overnight in their water bath, allowing the tea leaves to slowly absorb the lotus fragrance. This communion between tea and lotus creates the unique flavor profile that defines authentic lotus tea—a perfect balance of tea’s robustness and lotus’s ethereal sweetness.

Explore the art of Lotus Tea creation by master tea artisans.—click here to see the full story

Modern Preservation Techniques

Freeze-drying technology ensures year-round availability while maintaining quality. This sublimation process preserves both the natural lotus color and fragrance while maintaining the tea’s full-bodied flavor. The freeze-dried lotus buds are then vacuum-sealed in elegant packaging, extending shelf life while preserving the product’s integrity.

Premium Tasting Experience

Quality Recognition Characteristics

Tea liquor: Clear amber-green color
Aroma: Clean, gentle fragrance of lotus flowers and leaves, subtle and not overpowering.
Flavor: Mild initial astringency → deep, lingering sweetness in the throat

Brewing Instructions

• Water temperature: 175-195°F (not fully boiling)
• Ratio: 8g tea / 200ml water (adjustable based on individual taste preference)
• Steeping time: 1-2 minutes
• Can be steeped multiple times, each infusion offering unique flavor notes

Discover detailed guidance on brewing West Lake Lotus Tea—from selecting water and teapots to step-by-step brewing techniques in this article.

Storage & Enjoyment Guide

Storage

• Keep in dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight
• Can be stored up to 2 years without losing flavor
• Maintains quality until use

Ideal Enjoyment Times

• Morning: Start your day with clear, alert spirits
• Afternoon: Relax after stressful work hours
• Work hours: Promotes alertness, refreshment, and high concentration

Why Choose Noble Viet Tea?

Absolute Quality Commitment

• ✅ 100% traditional handcraft – No machinery, no chemicals
• ✅ Limited production
• ✅ Master artisans – Inheriting traditional Hanoi secrets
• ✅ Premium ingredients – Pure, top-grade Thai Nguyen green tea scented with finest West Lake Hundred-Petaled Lotus

Smart Packaging

• Long-lasting flavor preservation
• Convenient for travel and business trips
• Elegant for gift-giving

Noble Viet Tea’s Lotus Tea serves as the perfect cultural bridge, bringing Vietnamese tea essence to international friends. This is not merely a material gift but also:

• Cultural story about the Vietnamese art of slow living
• Unique culinary experience impossible to find elsewhere
• Symbol of refinement and respect for the recipient
• Health value aligned with modern wellness trends

Noble Viet Tea’s Promise

🌸 No preservatives, no artificial flavoring, no artificial coloring
🌸 100% handcrafted production using traditional methods
🌸 Artisans with decades of experience
🌸 Rigorously selected ingredients
🌸 Closely supervised craft process at every step

Noble Viet Tea’s Lotus Tea is not just a rare and premium tea product, but an invitation to discover the profound beauty of Vietnamese culture through each sip. This is the perfect gift to share with family and friends about refinement and elegance in living.

Each cup of Lotus Tea is a journey back to pure nature, back to beautiful traditional values, and back to yourself in quiet moments amid life’s hustle and bustle.

Discover more about the thousand-year legend behind this tea, read our special series: Lotus Tea Legend

Let Noble Viet Tea bring you and your loved ones an authentic tea experience—where flavor and soul meet, where tradition and modernity harmonize. Bring this rare experience home—add to cart now.