TEA THAT BLOOMS
Experience a world of handcrafted artisan teas with a twist – family-run Blushing Tea brings a little theatre to your cup.
The journey began in a cosy tavern in the middle of Scotland, where owner-operator Nicola Maloney first discovered Blooming Teas. Presented in a wine glass, each tea ball unfurled into a floral display as boiling water was poured over it. “It was like a piece of theatre in your glass,” Nicola recalls. “We’d never seen anything like it.”
The blooms were never far from Nicola’s mind, and in July 2024, Blushing Tea was born.
Determined to find the best growers, Nicola sourced teas from a small, boutique supplier in rural China. Grown in the mountainous Yunnan province, the leaves and botanicals are sustainably harvested from family farms. “They’re beautiful people, and it shows in their craft,” says Nicola. “Sourcing naturally and ethically was just as important as taste.”
Blushing Tea’s green tea leaves, botanicals, and fruits are naturally grown without sprays or chemicals, then hand-tied into artistic displays, wrapped in green tea leaves, dried into blooming balls, and vacuum-packed on site for maximum freshness and flavour.
While Blooming Teas were the inspiration, Nicola soon expanded the range to include Dried Fruit Sliced Teas – with flavours like Coconut Pineapple and Lemon Blackcurrant – and Sugar Honey Cube Teas in flavours such as Lemon, Rose, and Tangerine. The popular Blue Lotus Tea and elegant glassware for the perfect pour followed. A Corporate Range has also launched, offering businesses something unique to gift staff or clients.
Though Blushing Tea is a one-woman business, it’s very much a family affair. Nicola's husband was there in Scotland when the idea first sparked, and their three children have each had a hand in shaping the brand. Several teas are named after them – ‘Sweet Sadie’, ‘Juicy Cooper’, and the cheekily titled ‘Honey Badger’, chosen by their son Archie. “No, we didn’t name him Honey Badger,” Nicola laughs.
As the business grows, Nicola hopes to shift New Zealand’s tea culture. “Kiwis love their coffee, but blooming tea is more than just a drink. Tea’s been a little boring until now, and Blushing Tea is here to change that.” With each bloom making up to 10 cups – it’s an experience to be shared.
To celebrate their first birthday, Blushing Tea is offering Junction readers 15% off sitewide with code JUNCTIONMAG – prepare to watch the magic unfold.
www.BlushingTea.co.nz | hello@BlushingTea.co.nz