Tea blending is a complex art. There are so many different types of tea leaves, even before you consider the other spices and flavorings that can be added. The possible combinations are almost limitless, but you want to ensure that you choose the ingredients that work best together, and create the best final drinks for your customers, which means you need to understand the basic principles.
What is tea blending?
At its most basic, tea blending is when you take one base ingredient, usually a form of pure tea, then combine it with other flowers, herbs, spices, and flavorings to create a new mix. Blending can be used to enhance an otherwise bland leaf, to turn an invigorating tea into a calming tea or vice versa, or to increase a tea’s potential health benefits. Many common teas, such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, are tea blends, and for many companies, producing their unique tea blend is how they establish their distinctive brand.
Ideas and research
When it comes to blending tea, the first thing you need to decide on is the kind of flavoring you want—light or fruity? Strong and earthy? Something different? — and research how to obtain that flavor. You need to gather together different ingredients and test them, both on their own and in combination. It is beneficial to understand the types of teas already available and how they work, so that you know what you like and what you would like to change. The single most important thing is to keep tasting and tasting until you have it exactly as you want it. There is no substitute for a taste test.
Keep records
Make sure you record the combinations and amounts of the different ingredients as you mix them. You need to be able to recreate and adjust as necessary. This includes noting whether the flavor is floral, bitter, strong, or weak to name just some options. The aroma is also important. It is no good producing the perfect blend if you then forget how you made it!
Proper equipment
If you want to produce the best tea, you need the best equipment. Otherwise, you will not be able to measure, mix and store your ingredients appropriately. This starts with simple items like scales, bowls, and measuring spoons. Larger manufacturers will have industrial blenders and mechanized processes for bagging and packing tea. As you need to test your blend before you produce it on a larger scale, you will need your teapot, infusers, teacups, and similar. They are an essential part of your storage. So that your final product stays as fresh as possible, you need to keep your ingredients in dry, airtight containers.
Combining your teas is a simple and complex process. Simple, because all you need to do is mix a tea with at least one other ingredient. Complex, because there are so many combinations available, and you need to understand how each ingredient works if you want to create the best possible flavors. It takes a lot of research and experimentation to get your blend just right.