West Lake Lotus Tea

West Lake Lotus Tea from Noble Viet Tea represents one of the most refined expressions of Vietnamese tea culture — a tea shaped by centuries of craftsmanship, patience, and reverence for nature. Crafted in the Quang An peninsula of West Lake, Hanoi, each batch preserves a rare hand-scenting tradition passed down through generations of master tea artisans.

This is not a herbal infusion, nor tea flavored with lotus leaves or lotus heart. West Lake Lotus Tea is a premium loose-leaf green tea delicately scented with lotus anthers — a process so demanding that only a small number of artisans still practice it today.

At Noble Viet Tea, we stand alongside a small circle of master artisans, preserving the traditional hand-scenting of tea with fresh lotus anthers and crafting limited seasonal batches that honor heritage and handcraft.

A Tea Born from Place and Time

For centuries, the lotus has symbolized purity, elegance, and spiritual refinement in Vietnamese culture. Yet only the hundred-petaled lotus grown in West Lake possesses the fragrance required for true lotus tea scenting.

Nestled near the Red River, West Lake’s ancient, nutrient-rich sediment and unique microclimate allow lotus flowers to develop a fragrance found nowhere else. Early tea masters discovered that when this fragrance was carefully transferred — not infused — into fine green tea, it created a harmony that transcended flavor alone.

The result was West Lake Lotus Tea: a tea once reserved for royalty, scholars, and honored guests, and today regarded as one of Hanoi’s most treasured cultural expressions.

To discover the complete story of this remarkable tradition, we invite you to explore Lotus Tea Legend — Part I: The Sacred History of the West Lake Lotus.

The Art of Hand-Scenting Lotus Tea

True West Lake Lotus Tea is defined not by ingredients alone, but by process.

Lotus anthers (often called lotus rice) are painstakingly separated by hand at dawn, when the flower’s fragrance is at its peak. These fragile anthers are layered with carefully selected green tea leaves, allowing the tea to absorb the lotus aroma naturally.

For premium dry-scented lotus tea, this process is repeated seven to eight times, sometimes more. Each cycle takes days, and the full process may span fifteen to twenty-four days for a single batch.

It is estimated that one thousand to fifteen hundred lotus flowers are required to scent one kilogram of high-grade lotus tea.

Rain, wind, or imperfect flowers can disrupt the process, which is why only flawless tea leaves and lotus blossoms are chosen. This meticulous craftsmanship is what gives West Lake Lotus Tea its unmistakable depth — subtle, elegant, and enduring.

For those who wish to understand the intricate artistry behind each batch, Lotus Tea Legend — Part II: The Art of Handcrafted Lotus Scenting offers an in-depth exploration of this extraordinary technique.

What to Expect in the Cup

A well-crafted cup of West Lake Lotus Tea is never overpowering.

The liquor is clear, with a soft amber-green hue. The aroma is gentle and layered — lotus fragrance intertwined with the natural sweetness of young green tea leaves. On the palate, the tea opens clean and smooth, followed by a lingering sweetness that unfolds slowly across the tongue and throat.

This balance is the hallmark of authentic lotus scenting — refined rather than perfumed, expressive rather than loud.

Those seeking to honor the full ceremonial experience may wish to read Lotus Tea Legend — Part III: The Ceremony of Brewing and Contemplation, where the traditional approach to brewing and appreciation is thoughtfully presented.

Our West Lake Lotus Tea Collection

Noble Viet Tea offers a carefully curated selection, each crafted in limited batches and fully traceable from harvest to packaging. Every product carries batch information and harvest details, ensuring complete transparency and authenticity.

Dry-Scented West Lake Lotus Tea

Hand-scented with lotus anthers through multiple scenting cycles, then gently dried to stabilize the aroma. When stored properly, its fragrance can be preserved for two to three years, with the most expressive character enjoyed within the first year after production.

We offer two distinguished expressions of dry-scented lotus tea, each selected for the exceptional quality of its base tea:

Dry-Scented with Thai Nguyen Tea  — This refined preparation unites the delicate lotus fragrance with premium Tan Cuong green tea from Thai Nguyen, a region celebrated throughout Vietnam for producing tea of exceptional clarity and sweetness. The marriage of West Lake lotus and Tan Cuong leaf creates a profile of remarkable elegance and balance.

View Dry-Scented West Lake Lotus Tea (Thai Nguyen tea base)

Dry-Scented with Ancient Shan Tuyet Tea Leaves — For those seeking the pinnacle of rarity and refinement, this exceptional tea is scented using ancient Shan Tuyet leaves from high mountain forests. The Shan Tuyet cultivar, grown in remote elevations and harvested from century-old trees, brings a depth and complexity that elevates the lotus fragrance to an entirely different realm of sensory experience.

View Dry-Scented West Lake Lotus Tea (Ancient Shan Tuyet tea base)

Fresh-Scented Lotus Tea (Whole Blossom)

Tea leaves are placed inside freshly harvested lotus blossoms overnight, allowing them to absorb the flower’s fragrance naturally. This seasonal tea offers a vivid, fleeting expression of lotus aroma and is best enjoyed soon after production.

The ephemeral nature of fresh-scented lotus tea makes it among the most coveted preparations — a living expression of the lotus harvest itself, captured at the height of the season and offered only while the fragrance remains at its peak.

View Fresh-Scented Lotus Tea (Whole Blossom)

Each tea in our collection represents an unwavering commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and the preservation of cultural heritage. We invite you to explore the individual expressions above to discover the tea that resonates with your sensibility.

Brewing and Storage

As the Vietnamese saying goes: “First the water, second the tea, third the brewing, fourth the teapot.”

West Lake Lotus Tea is best brewed gently to preserve its delicate aroma. Water temperature should remain between seventy-five and eighty degrees Celsius (one hundred sixty-seven to one hundred seventy-six degrees Fahrenheit). Use three to four grams per cup, increasing slightly for gongfu-style brewing. Avoid boiling water, which can overpower the lotus fragrance.

For storage, dry-scented tea should be kept in an airtight container, away from light and strong odors. Fresh-scented tea should be enjoyed as soon as possible for optimal aroma.

A Living Cultural Heritage

Today, only a handful of families in Quang An continue to practice authentic lotus tea scenting. Noble Viet Tea is honored to collaborate with these artisans, preserving a craft that cannot be rushed, mechanized, or replicated at scale.

Our West Lake Lotus Tea is more than a beverage. It is a cultural ambassador — a refined gift, a symbol of respect, and a bridge between Hanoi’s thousand-year heritage and the present day.

Experience West Lake Lotus Tea

If you have followed the journey — from the history of West Lake lotus, through the intricate hand-scenting process, to the quiet ritual of tea appreciation — this is where that understanding becomes experience.

Each batch in our collection is crafted in limited quantities, guided by tradition, and offered with full transparency — so you may choose not simply a tea, but a heritage preserved. We invite you to explore the individual expressions above and select the tea that speaks to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is West Lake Lotus Tea a herbal tea?

No. West Lake Lotus Tea is green tea delicately scented with lotus anthers, not a herbal infusion. It does not contain lotus leaves or lotus heart. The lotus fragrance is transferred naturally through a traditional hand-scenting process.

What part of the lotus is used to scent the tea?

Only the lotus anthers (often called lotus rice) are used. These are carefully separated by hand at dawn, when the fragrance is most intense, then layered with tea leaves during the scenting process.

Why is authentic West Lake Lotus Tea so rare and expensive?

Authentic lotus tea requires an extraordinary amount of time, skill, and raw materials. For premium dry-scented tea, the scenting process may be repeated seven to eight times over fifteen to twenty-four days, using approximately one thousand to fifteen hundred lotus flowers per kilogram of tea. Very few artisans still practice this method, and production is limited by the short lotus harvest season.

Does West Lake Lotus Tea contain caffeine?

Yes. Because the base is green tea, West Lake Lotus Tea naturally contains caffeine. However, when brewed gently, many drinkers find it smoother and less stimulating than ordinary green tea.

How long does the lotus fragrance last?

When properly stored, dry-scented West Lake Lotus Tea can preserve its fragrance for two to three years, with the most expressive aroma enjoyed within the first year after production. Fresh-scented lotus tea is more delicate and should be consumed sooner.

How should I store lotus tea at home?

Store dry-scented lotus tea in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and strong odors. Avoid refrigeration unless humidity is well controlled. Fresh-scented lotus tea should be enjoyed as soon as possible for optimal fragrance.

Is this tea artificially flavored?

No. Noble Viet Tea does not use artificial flavorings, essential oils, or additives. The aroma comes entirely from real lotus flowers through traditional hand-scenting.

Are the teas traceable?

Yes. Each Noble Viet Tea lotus tea includes batch information and harvest details, allowing you to trace the tea back to its production period and craftsmanship.

Is West Lake Lotus Tea suitable as a gift?

Traditionally, West Lake Lotus Tea has been offered as a refined gift for honored guests and dignitaries. Today, it remains one of the most culturally meaningful tea gifts from Hanoi, especially for those who appreciate craftsmanship and heritage.

Is West Lake Lotus Tea intended for medicinal use?

No. West Lake Lotus Tea is a traditional culinary and cultural product. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.

Shipping & Delivery

We offer free shipping on all United States orders over four hundred fifty dollars, shipped directly from our tea pavilion in Vietnam via trusted international carriers. We currently ship to over one hundred eighty-five countries worldwide.

Estimated delivery times range from five to thirty business days, depending on destination, excluding processing time. Customs duties, if applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient.

Tracking information is provided for standard shipping; availability may vary for free shipping orders.

Cancellation & Refunds

Orders may be modified or canceled within twenty-four hours of purchase. Refunds or reshipments may be requested if an order does not arrive within the guaranteed timeframe or if the item received differs significantly from its description, subject to verification.

Approved refunds are issued to the original payment method within seven to fourteen business days. Shipping fees are non-refundable.

For assistance, please contact contact@nobleviettea.com.

Experience West Lake Lotus Tea

If you have followed the journey — from the history of West Lake lotus, through the intricate hand-scenting process, to the quiet ritual of tea appreciation — this is where that understanding becomes experience.

Explore our current West Lake Lotus Tea collection now.
Each batch is crafted in limited quantities, guided by tradition, and offered with full transparency — so you may choose not simply a tea, but a heritage preserved.

→ View the West Lake Lotus Tea Collection