How to make rose tea and its alterations

This soothing and floral rose bud tea is an herbal beverage that is naturally uplifting with many health benefits. Discover all its variations and step-by-step instructions on how to make rose tea delicious.

Rose petals and buds never stopped surprising me with their beauty, scent, and wide range of uses. First, I used them in my homemade beauty products such as  rose cream, toner, rose soap, or even rose lip balm.

Later on, I discovered that they are edible and actually nutritious so I made this rose petal jam and homemade chocolate bar with roses.

Today however I want to share my latest discovery – rose tea! 

What is rose bud tea

Fragrant rose tea is a caffeine-free beverage made by brewing fresh or dry rose petals or/and buds in water. This uplifting damask rose tea can boost your metabolism, reduce menstrual cramps or alleviate stress.

Don’t get confused with rosehip tea which is made of the fruits of wild roses, rosehips.

What does rose petal tea taste?

The flavor of rose tea depends on the type of rose petals or rose buds that were used. While all roses are edible and can be used in tea, some varieties are sweet and some are more bitter.

The rose petals and buds taste almost like a roses smell, so if you like the smell of roses, you’ll probably like the taste of rose petals and buds too. The genuine rose tea has a delicate floral flavor with a mild sweetness. Even though it doesn’t have a particularly strong taste, the lovely fragrance of roses comes through.

Rose tea ingredients

Are all rose petals and buds edible?

When gathering roses for the wild rose tea, remember that you need to use roses of organic quality that haven’t been treated with chemicals. Whether you grow your own roses, forage wild roses or buy organic roses online, the choice is yours. 

While all rose varieties are edible not all of them have a pleasant rose aroma for a tea. The rose petals that emit a fragrant scent contain essential oils that are prized by many and are extracted to produce perfumes and beauty products. Their fragrance is also captured in a cup of rose tea.

The best ones are Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia and Rosa gallica. While the color is not important, selecting fragrant flowers with a scent that you like is a necessity.

You can also use rose powder.

If you are just looking for a great rose tea to try then I recommend Greenhilltea Premium Dried Rose Buds

Benefits of Rose Bud Tea

Rose buds and petals are naturally uplifting.  They contain plant-based flavonoids that have anti-stress and anti-depressant properties(2)

May Reduce Mentrual Pain

Rose tea is used in China as a natural alternative to relieve menstrual pain. A recent study from Taiwan showed that 130 teenage girls who drank two cups of rose tea each day for 12 days reported less menstrual pain and better well-being than those who did not drink the tea.

Rose bud tea benefits for skin

Soothing and refreshing effect on the skin makes rose tea a great ingredient for homemade skincare products such as creams or soaps. Its astringent properties help clean pores and tone the skin thus rose tea can be also used in toners. 

Rose Bud Tea Recipe

First step

Once you gather the organic roses making rose tea is easy. To make a cup of loose rose tea, use one teaspoon of dry rose petals or two teaspoons of fresh petals or buds. 

Second step

Bring the water to boil in a small casserole

Third step

Once boiling, remove it from the heat and add the rose petals or rose buds

Fourth step

Let it steep for 10-15 minutes

Fifth step

Strain the herbal material with a strainer and enjoy your warm and fragrant cup of rose tea.

Note: Add sugar or syrup to taste

Rose tea variations

If a Rose infusion is not your cup of tea you can make some alterations to this pure herbal infusion. there are numerous ways to prepare it. Use this rose syrup to sweeten the tea.

Rose Iced Tea

This refreshing tea makes a great healthy drink for hot summer days. Once your rose tea is ready, cool it until cold and garnish it with some frozen berries on the top. Serve it in a tall glass with ice cubes and a glass straw. Some people like to add some sugar or syrup to taste.

Rose Milk Tea

This is a great way to enhance your tea especially if you like to drink a warming and comforting cup of rose tea before bedtime. 

how to make rose milk tea

While you are steeping the rose petals in the casserole warm the milk in a small saucepan.  Once it starts to simmer, remove it from the heat. You can whip it before pouring it over the rose infusion. You can serve it with black tapioca pearls to make a boba (bubble) tea. Serve your rose milk tea with a splash of honey or syrup if you prefer sweeter notes.

Rose chai tea

If you feel your tea need some warming spices make Rose chai tea. Add warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger into a casserole with boiling water and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove it from the heat and add rose petals to steep for additional 10 minutes. Strain it and enjoy your warming cup of rose chai tea. 

Rose Earl Grey

Instead of steeping roses in boiled water, let them steep in one teaspoon of Earl Grey tea r one Earl Grey tea bag. 

A floral spirit of roses and mildly stimulating Earl grey flavor make a wonderful rose earl grey tea. It contains stimulating caffeine and makes an excellent uplifting morning beverage that can replace your morning coffee. 

Lemon rose tea

Another idea to enhance your rose tea is to add lemon slices and some sweetener into a mixture to make lemon rose tea. It is refreshing and full of flavors.

Rose flavored tea

Similarly, you can use other teas, black or green, and infuse them with roses. Rose flavored tea makes a subtle and floral cup and provides a very calming experience.