Hanoi’s Iconic West Lake Lotus Tea – The Perfect Gift
Every May and June, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, Quang An Ward artisans in Tay Ho District begin their seasonal business of crafting lotus tea.
The origin of lotus tea making in Hanoi is still uncertain. Even Nguyen Thi Dan, a 100-year-old skilled lotus tea maker from the Tay Ho district, cannot definitively trace its roots.
Previously, the elders made lotus tea solely for their own enjoyment and as gifts for guests and friends. In an interview with The Hanoi Times, she explained that lotus tea making has been a cherished tradition within her family, passed down from generation to generation. However, over time, the demand for lotus tea has grown considerably, making it a highly sought-after gift from Hanoi. As a result, the family business is now flourishing.
According to Dan, the West Lake Lotus is the most special of all lotus flowers. “The West Lake Lotus, also known as the Bach Diep Lotus, is characterized by hundreds of large and small petals that hug the yellow pistil so that it always retains its fragrance,” she said.
The West Lake Lotus only gives off its best fragrance when it is in bloom. When the sun rises, the fragrance of the flowers dissipates.
Having turned 100, Nguyen Thi Dan is still doing what she’s been doing for decades.
The descendants of the old lady gather to peel off the petals of the lotus flower to obtain the anther for making lotus tea.
According to local tea makers, the West Lake Lotus tea, which combines the rich taste of Tang Cuong tea from the northern province of Thai Nguyen with the distinctive fragrance of Bach Diep lotus anthers, is the most aromatic tea.
The white lotus anther is an essential ingredient of lotus tea. To flavor about three kilograms of tea requires about 1,500 lotus flowers.
A delicious and elegant drink – one of Hanoi’s famous specialties – was created by the skilled hands of artisans.
The preparation of lotus tea is an art, and so is how it is enjoyed. Earthenware teapots and small cups are usually used to preserve the aroma of the tea.
Lotus tea is a specialty of Hanoi, imbued with the culture and exquisiteness of the Hanoians, and becomes a lovely gift of the capital to friends in the country and abroad.
Dam Tri Pond in West Lake, the only body of water in Hanoi that offers the best quality flowers for lotus tea.
Every morning, the male members of Mrs. Dan’s family gather to harvest the lotus.
They would quickly bring the lotus ashore when the flowers were fresh and fragrant, ready for marination in tea.
Despites having won nine international awards for his tea, Nguyen Cao Son still wants to work harder to preserve the Vietnamese tea culture and tell the world about the tradition. Bui Quynh Hoa reports
For a long time, people in villages around the West Lake in Quang Ba, Tay Ho and Nghi Tam have been well known for making lotus tea. It is the scented tea that forms the delicate art of enjoying lotus tea of Hanoians.
For a long time, villages around the West Lake in Quang Ba, Tay Ho and Nghi Tam in Hanoi have been well known for making lotus tea. It is the scented tea that forms the delicate art of enjoying lotus tea- a special gift of Hanoians.
The lotus plant is very spiritual and loved by Vietnamese people from all walks of life. In order to bring the image of this special flower into daily life, Kieu Cao Dung from Hanoi has turned ordinary lotus leaves into works of art with traditional cultural features.
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