Tea Collection: Snow Chrysanthemum Tea (Yunnan, China)
What is Snow Chrysanthemum Tea?
Snow Chrysanthemum Tea is one of Yunnan’s rarest floral infusions—a mountain blossom grown at high altitude, blooming against cool winds and thin air. The petals dry into deep amber and crimson hues, releasing an aroma that feels both herbal and softly sweet, with touches of earth and spice.
Unlike the gentler chrysanthemum teas enjoyed throughout eastern China, Snow Chrysanthemum carries a deeper resonance. Its flavour moves slowly, unfolding in layers: honeyed warmth, medicinal clarity, and a subtle bitterness that grounds the sweetness. Drinking it feels like stepping into a quiet mountain village at dusk—the air cool, the sky clear, the scent of wildflowers lingering.
To understand how such floral teas fit within broader traditions, exploring guides like How to Choose the Right Brewing Method reveals how infusion style affects intensity and aroma. Meanwhile, the nuanced sweetness of teas such as Osmanthus Oolong or the natural complexity of Yerba Mate offers a fascinating comparison in how cultures shape the meaning of herbal and floral cups.
Ingredients
2–3 g Snow Chrysanthemum blossoms
200 ml water (90–95°C)
Equipment Needed
Teapot or gaiwan
Strainer
Kettle
Tasting cup
Method
Heat water to 90–95°C.
Warm your cup or teapot and discard the rinse.
Add the dried blossoms.
Pour hot water gently over the flowers.
Steep for 3–4 minutes to draw out sweetness and herbal depth.
Strain and enjoy while the liquor is warm and aromatic.
Notes
Snow Chrysanthemum Tea has a fuller body than many floral infusions. Its earthy sweetness pairs well with the honeyed richness of Oriental Beauty, while its grounding bitterness contrasts beautifully with the fruity brightness of Hibiscus.
For a sense of how floral teas are appreciated in curated environments, cafés like Hopetoun Tea Rooms offer a reminder that presentation, setting, and pacing all shape the experience. Meanwhile, broader tea education sources such as The Modern Tea Lover’s Guide help place mountain-grown herbal infusions in conversation with traditional oolongs and green teas.
Snow Chrysanthemum is more than a tisane—it is a landscape in bloom, captured one petal at a time.
