How to Make Floral Tea
Complete guide for brewing and serving floral tea drinks at Muse & Co.
Overview
Floral teas are simple, elegant hot tea drinks made by steeping flowers, grasses, or tea leaves directly in hot water. The customer receives the loose ingredients in their cup and steeps it themselves at their table.
What makes floral tea special:
- Pure ingredients - just flowers/tea and water
- Customer steeps at their own pace
- Multiple infusions possible
- Aromatic and visual experience
- No added sugar or milk (traditionally)
Storage Location
Floral tea is stored in the area above the water filter - easy for all staff to see and access.
Each floral tea is clearly labeled with its name and contains:
- Flowers (osmanthus, rose, jasmine, etc.)
- Grasses (lemongrass, etc.)
- Tea leaves (oolong, green tea, etc.)
- Or a combination
Visual Storage
The storage location above the water filter makes it easy to identify and grab the right tea quickly. All containers are labeled clearly with the tea name.
What's In Floral Tea
Simple ingredients: The floral tea contains exactly what the main label says - nothing more.
Examples:
- Osmanthus Oolong = Osmanthus flowers + oolong tea leaves
- Rose Green Tea = Rose petals + green tea leaves
- Jasmine Green Tea = Jasmine flowers + green tea leaves
- Chrysanthemum Tea = Dried chrysanthemum flowers
No additives: Unlike milk tea or fruit tea, floral tea is just the pure dried ingredients and hot water.
Equipment Needed
- Hard plastic mixing cup (heat-resistant)
- Metal stir spoon
- Hot water dispenser (maintains ~94°C water)
- Floral tea ingredients (from storage above water filter)
Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Select Floral Tea
- Customer orders floral tea by name (e.g., "Osmanthus Oolong")
- Locate the labeled container above the water filter
- Check you have the correct tea
2. Measure Tea Into Cup
- Use the hard plastic mixing cup (heat-resistant)
- Add appropriate amount of floral tea (typically 1-2 tablespoons or as marked)
- Don't overfill - leaves need room to expand
Use Heat-Resistant Cup
Always use the hard plastic mixing cup designed for hot liquids. Regular plastic cups will warp or melt with ~94°C water.
3. Add Hot Water
- Fill cup with hot water from dispenser
- Water temperature will be approximately 94°C (201°F)
- Leave about 1 inch of space at top for stirring
4. Stir for 15 Seconds
- Use metal stir spoon
- Stir gently for about 15 seconds
- This helps initial release of flavors and aromas
- Flowers/leaves will start opening
5. Serve to Customer
Hand to customer with clear instructions:
"Here's your [floral tea name]! Let this steep for 2-4 minutes before you start drinking - the water is very hot right now at about 94 degrees Celsius. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor. Enjoy watching the flowers open!"
Key points to communicate:
- Wait 2-4 minutes for best flavor
- Water is hot (~94°C) and will cool as it steeps
- Flowers/leaves will continue opening and releasing flavor
- It's ready when they're comfortable with the temperature and strength
6. Check In (Optional)
After 3-4 minutes, check if customer needs anything:
- "How's your tea? Is the temperature good?"
- "Would you like a refill of hot water?"
Steeping & Drinking Timeline
| Time | Temperature | What's Happening | Customer Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 min | ~94°C (201°F) | Just served, stirred | Too hot to drink |
| 2 min | ~85°C (185°F) | Flowers opening, flavor releasing | Can start sipping carefully |
| 3-4 min | ~75°C (167°F) | Full flavor developed | Ideal drinking temperature |
| 5-10 min | ~65°C (149°F) | Peak flavor, comfortable temp | Best drinking experience |
| 10+ min | ~55°C (131°F) | Flavor plateaus, cooling | Still enjoyable |
Ideal drinking window: 3-10 minutes after serving
Refills & Multiple Infusions
Floral teas can be re-steeped multiple times!
When Customer Asks for Refill
"Absolutely! I can refill your cup with hot water. Each infusion will be a bit lighter in flavor than the last, but many customers enjoy 2-3 refills. Some people actually prefer the second cup because it's a bit milder."
How to Refill
- Take customer's cup back to service area
- Check if there are still tea leaves/flowers in cup
- Add more hot water from dispenser
- Give a quick stir (5-10 seconds)
- Return to customer
Important note to customer:
"This refill will be less flavorful than the first cup since the ingredients have already steeped once. If you'd like a stronger flavor, I'd recommend ordering a fresh cup of tea."
Multiple Infusion Guide
| Infusion | Flavor Strength | Customer Preference |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Full, strong | Most flavorful |
| 2nd | Medium, mellow | Often preferred by some |
| 3rd | Light, subtle | Gentle, mild |
| 4th+ | Very light | Recommend new tea |
After 3 refills: Politely suggest ordering a new cup for best flavor experience.
Popular Floral Teas We Serve
Osmanthus Oolong
- Flavor: Sweet, floral, apricot-like
- Aroma: Fragrant, peachy
- Best for: Customers who want something light and refreshing
- Notes: Very aromatic, beautiful to watch steep
Jasmine Green Tea
- Flavor: Floral, slightly sweet, grassy
- Aroma: Intensely jasmine-scented
- Best for: Classic tea lovers, calming experience
- Notes: One of the most traditional floral teas
Rose Green Tea
- Flavor: Delicate rose, fresh green tea base
- Aroma: Rose petals, gentle
- Best for: Romantic, elegant experience
- Notes: Visually beautiful with rose petals
Chrysanthemum Tea
- Flavor: Sweet, slightly herbal
- Aroma: Mild, floral
- Best for: Soothing, relaxing drink
- Notes: Traditional Chinese herbal tea, caffeine-free
White Peach Oolong
- Flavor: Peachy, smooth, lightly sweet
- Aroma: Fresh peach, floral
- Best for: Fruit lovers who want tea
- Notes: Very popular, not overly sweet
Customer Questions & Answers
"Can I add sugar?"
"Traditionally floral tea is enjoyed without sugar to appreciate the natural flavors, but you're welcome to add sweetener if you prefer. Let me grab you some [honey/sugar] to add."
Recommended: Honey pairs well with most floral teas
"Why are there leaves floating in my drink?"
"That's how floral tea is traditionally served! The leaves and flowers steep directly in the water. You'll drink around them, and they'll settle at the bottom. It's part of the authentic experience!"
"This is too hot to drink"
"Yes, the water starts very hot at about 94 degrees Celsius. Give it 3-4 minutes to cool down to a comfortable drinking temperature. The longer it sits, the more flavor develops too!"
"Can I get this iced?"
"Floral tea is traditionally served hot because the heat helps release the aromas and flavors from the flowers and leaves. However, you could let it steep hot, then we can pour it over ice if you prefer!"
Alternative: Suggest fruit tea or iced tea options if they want something cold
"How many times can I refill this?"
"You can typically get 2-3 good infusions from floral tea. Each refill will be lighter in flavor. After the 3rd refill, I'd recommend ordering a fresh cup for the best taste experience."
"Can I take the leaves home?"
"The tea leaves are pretty well-spent after steeping here, but if you'd like to order floral tea to brew at home, let me know! We can sell you the dry tea to take with you."
(Check with management on whether you sell dry tea retail)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using regular plastic cup instead of hard plastic
- Result: Cup melts or warps from hot water
- Solution: Always use designated heat-resistant mixing cup
❌ Not stirring after adding water
- Result: Uneven steeping, weak flavor
- Solution: Stir for 15 seconds to wake up the leaves
❌ Overfilling the cup
- Result: Water spills when stirring, hard to carry
- Solution: Leave 1 inch space at top
❌ Not warning customer about hot temperature
- Result: Customer burns tongue trying to drink immediately
- Solution: Always explain 2-4 minute wait time
❌ Throwing away tea after one steep
- Result: Customer misses opportunity for refills
- Solution: Explain they can get 2-3 infusions
❌ Recommending unlimited refills
- Result: Customer disappointed by 4th+ very weak infusion
- Solution: Suggest new cup after 3 refills
Quality Standards
Visual Check
Before serving, verify:
- [ ] Correct tea type in cup (matches order)
- [ ] Appropriate amount of tea (not too much or too little)
- [ ] Water filled to proper level (1 inch from top)
- [ ] No spills on outside of cup
- [ ] Cup is heat-resistant hard plastic
Flavor Check
Occasionally taste-test floral teas during training to know:
- What each tea should taste like
- How flavor changes with infusions
- Ideal steeping time for each type
- Temperature when ready to drink
Customer Experience
Ensure:
- Clear instructions given (2-4 min wait time)
- Customer knows water is very hot
- Offer refills proactively
- Check in after a few minutes
Troubleshooting
Problem: Tea tastes weak
Possible causes:
- Not enough tea added to cup
- Didn't stir after adding water
- Customer drank too soon (didn't steep long enough)
Solution:
- Use proper measurement (1-2 tbsp)
- Always stir for 15 seconds
- Remind customer to wait 2-4 minutes
Problem: Tea tastes bitter
Possible causes:
- Too much tea added
- Steeped too long (10+ minutes)
- Water too hot (if different dispenser used)
Solution:
- Use correct measurement
- Explain ideal drinking window (3-10 min)
- Offer refill with less intense flavor
Problem: Customer burned tongue
Prevention:
- Always warn about hot temperature
- Emphasize 2-4 minute wait time
- Explain cooling timeline
If it happens:
- Apologize sincerely
- Offer cold water or ice water
- Check if they need anything
Problem: Flowers/leaves won't sink
This is normal!
- Some flowers float (especially osmanthus)
- They'll eventually settle or can be pushed down with spoon
- Explain this is traditional style - part of the experience
Script:
"It's totally normal for some flowers to float! You can drink around them, or use your spoon to push them down. They're completely safe to drink with or around."
Tips for Success
Presentation
- Serve with both hands for stability
- Place gently on table
- Make eye contact when giving instructions
- Smile and be enthusiastic about the tea
Education
- Share a fun fact about the tea
- "Osmanthus flowers are considered one of the most fragrant in the world!"
- "Jasmine tea is hand-scented - the flowers are layered with tea overnight"
- Ask if they've had this type of tea before
- Offer to check back after it steeps
Efficiency
- While tea steeps, work on other orders
- Set internal timer to check back after 3-4 minutes
- Offer refills when they're about halfway done
Building Regulars
- Remember customers who order floral tea regularly
- "Would you like your usual Osmanthus Oolong?"
- Suggest they try a different variety next time
- Recommend pairing with art session or workshop
Pricing
Check POS system for current pricing
Typical pricing structure:
- Base floral tea: $[X.XX]
- Refills: Usually complimentary (check policy)
- To-go option: Same price, in appropriate container
Related Pages
- Drink Categories - Specialty drinks section
- Taking Orders - How to recommend floral tea
- Greeting Customers - First-timer guidance
- Handling Complaints - If tea issue arises
Remember: Floral tea is about the experience - aromatic, visual, meditative. Take time to explain it properly so customers can enjoy the full traditional tea ceremony experience!
Questions? Ask your trainer for a live demonstration, or contact [email protected]