Dried rose buds can be used to make a soothing herbal tea by brewing it in hot or cold water. See my step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect cup of rose tea.
What is Rose Tea?
Rose tea is an herbal drink made by steeping dried rose buds or petals in water. Herbal tea is also called an infusion or tisane.
Naturally caffeine-free, rose tea can be brewed to be made into hot or iced tea.
Rosehip tea and rose tea are two different teas with different health benefits. Rosehip tea is made with the fruit of the rose plant, which are found below the petals.
Rose tea blends (roses with black or green tea added) aren’t always caffeine-free so make sure you look at the ingredients. Rose tea without caffeine only contain roses, nothing else.
All roses are edible but look for food-grade rose buds to make sure they weren’t treated with pesticides. Roses from the flower shop shouldn’t ever be made into tea. The cut roses from a florist are loaded with chemicals.
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5 Rose Tea Health Benefits
1. Offers Antioxidants
According to a 2019 scientific article, rose petals are high in antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.
Antioxidants are beneficial molecules that protect cells from damage. So, when you drink rose tea, you’ll consume plenty of antioxidants.
Fun fact: Anthocyanins, which are found in rose petals, are also plant pigments. They’re responsible for the red-pink color of roses.
2. Manages Inflammation
Antioxidants, like the ones found in rose tea, also reduce inflammation. They work by acting on cellular reactions involved in inflammation.
This will help protect your cells from damage and reduce your risk of chronic disease.
3. Supports Immune Function
Another rose tea benefit involves the immune system. The petals contain vitamin C, a nutrient that’s important for a healthy immunity.
Vitamin C works by supporting white blood cells called leukocytes. These cells protect your body by fighting disease-causing germs.
4. Contains No Caffeine
Rose tea is caffeine-free and it’s an ideal option if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want to drink tea before bed.
5. Promotes Calmness
Rose has been shown to have a relaxing effect on the body.
What’s more, the petals have a lovely, calming scent. This can make the act of drinking rose tea relaxing and soothing.
Side Effects of Rose Tea
In general, rose tea is considered safe. There are little to no reports on side effects related to rose tea.
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Ingredient Notes
- Rose buds
To make high quality rose tea, use food-quality rose buds instead of rose petals since I find the flavor is better and more intense. Roughly chop the rose buds so that the water can make its way in between the petals to infuse and extract the flavor. Measure out the rose buds, then chop. - Water
Water quality is a big part of what makes tea taste good. Use filtered water whenever possible.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions
For complete brewing guide, full ingredients, and instructions, scroll to the bottom.
- Boil water.
Instead of tap water, boil filtered water. The better the water tastes, the better your rose tea will taste. Boil some extra water to warm your teapot. - Warm up teapot.
Pour boiled water into your teapot and swirl the water around. Throw out the water. This step should always be included to brew tea properly. It’s basically the same idea as preheating an oven. - Put chopped dried rose buds into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep.
Keep your teapot covered to keep the water nice and hot. - Strain rose buds and pour hot tea into a teacup.
Tea Sommelier’s Tips
Can be brewed with black or green tea.
To make rose tea with black or green tea, add a tea sachet or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose black or green tea.
Serve rose tea with or without sugar or milk.
Both hot and iced rose tea can be had with or without sugar or milk. It’s completely up to you.
Cut rose buds for better steeping.
Rough chop or cut rose buds before steeping in water. Rose buds are fairly small and tightly closed so cutting them helps the water reach into the the petal layers.
Can be steeped for longer without getting bitter.
If you want a stronger cup of rose tea, add a couple of more minutes to your steep time or add another 1/2 teaspoon of chopped rose buds. Unlike black or green tea, herbals don’t get bigger by steeping it for longer.
Brew in a glass teapot.
Brew herbals like rose tea in glass teapots so you can see the pretty buds and see the tea change color as it steeps.
Store it properly.
Rose tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
Loose rose tea, tea sachets, and tea bags should be stored in an airtight container away from light, odors, humidity, and heat.
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Questions You May Have
Rose tea tastes soft, floral, smooth, and a little sweet.
There’s no caffeine in roses so there’s no caffeine in rose tea.
Use dried rose buds for the best tasting tea. Rose tea in tea sachets are lower in quality and tea bags contain the lowest quality.
Yes, as long as they’re free of pesticides and chemical-free.
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Rose Tea
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup water + more to warm teapot
- 1 tablespoon dried rose buds, roughly chopped or 1 tea sachet or tea bag
INSTRUCTIONS
- Boil water. If using an electric kettle with temperature setting, set it to 208°F. Boil a little more water than needed so that it can be used to warm up the teapot. Filtered water is best.
- Warm up teapot.Pour hot water into a teapot, halfway, and swirl it around a bit. Discard the water.Warming up the teapot is an extra step that all tea professionals take the time to do, so that when the tea steeps, the water temperature won't drop drastically.
- Put cut rose buds into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain rose buds and pour hot tea into a teacup.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- To make rose tea with black or green tea, add a tea sachet or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose black or green tea.
- Both hot and iced rose tea can be had with or without sugar or milk. It’s completely up to you.
- Rough chop or cut rose buds before steeping in water. Rose buds are fairly small and tightly closed so cutting them helps the water reach into the the petal layers.
- If you want a stronger cup of rose tea, add a couple of more minutes to your steep time or add another 1/2 teaspoon of chopped rose buds. Unlike black or green tea, herbals don’t get bigger by steeping it for longer.
- Brew herbals like rose tea in glass teapots so you can see the pretty buds and see the tea change color as it steeps.
- Rose tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.
- Loose rose tea, tea sachets, and tea bags should be stored in an airtight container away from light, odors, humidity, and heat.
If I dont have roses growing in my yard, and you dont use store roses, then where can I buy already cut or crushed rose pedals or buds
Hi Helen, you can use food-grade dried rose petals or buds from health food stores or online.
Hello, Jee!
Thank you for all of the great info you share! Can you recommend a few other rose tea brands besides Suncore Foods – Premium Dried Rose Buds Superbloom?
Thanks!
Hi Ms. Didi, I’ve only tried this other brand of rose buds (https://amzn.to/3eYqWfz) and I liked that one too.
How long will dried rose buds keep in an air-tight glass container? Do they ever go bad or lose their flavor?
Hi Laura, it should keep for at least 2 years.
I love rose tea! Esp before bed as it has very relaxing properties! Many herbalists recommend adding it to a blend with other herbs for better sleep!
When is the best time to drink the rose tea to benefit our body?
Hi Ada, I don’t think there is a benefit to drinking this at a certain time of the day.
Can the tea be made with any rose buds from a home garden?
Hi Ah-Mei, yes, the tea can be made from fresh rose buds but I’ve never tried making it this way so I’m not sure of the proper ratio of water to fresh rose buds.