A whiff of rose, and marigold

With the festive season here, I have been checking out what tea folks have been making. Because festivals and Diwali in particular-are a time when they showcase their creative best. My limited research shows rose teas are trending, with marigold coming close.

- Aravinda Anatharaman

Of course, blending rose with tea is not a new concept but it seems to me that this year, rose teas have become more sophisticated and much more interesting. Rose adds an unmistakable perfume to the tea, which, if not overpowering, can be quite soothing. But it also does more-it adds a touch of pink while imparting a slight sweetness to the tea.

What's interesting to see is the variety in both the choice of tea (from black and white to green and oolong) and in rose (as petals, buds and wild roses). And here's a bit of tea trivia from a planter friend-both tea and rose belong to the genus Camellia, so perhaps it's only fitting that they both pair to make our favourite drink. Here's a list of festive florals for this season, some to indulge in, some to gift.