I have been aware of the edibility of rose petals since I was a child, because my grandma would always make traditional Polish doughnuts with rose petal preserve stuffing ( Polish doughnuts don’t look like tires - they resemble a bun but they are sweet , with various kinds of stuffing inside, and usually served sprinkled with sugar powder). But it wasn’t until I came to Shanghai and learned from my Chinese teacher that ROSE BUD TEA should be definitely included in my daily menu if I want to keep flawless skin and youth. She told me that I should drink it particularly in summer, but actually I am addicted to the taste and smell, so I drink it every day. And here is the science behind ROSE BUD TEA:
It contains VITAMIN C – rose petals are rich source of vitamin C and since we live in the polluted environment, vitamin C can help us block some of the damage resulting from exposure to toxins and free radicals. It is rich in POLYPHENOLS and that means – without digging too deep into some crazy scientific terms – that it can help prevent cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and possibly even cancer. And for those ladies who unfortunately suffer from menstrual cramps, rose bud tea can bring you relief from the pain.
You can buy rose bud tea almost anywhere in China, especially Shanghai. Tea shops loom from every corner and it is really inexpensive. You can also order it on Taobao.I usually get mine for around 35 RMB for half a kilo. What you need to get is also the special pitcher for brewing your rose bud tea. It will also cost you around 35 RMB. Put one or two tea spoons of rose buds inside the small, movable contained placed at the top of the pitcher and pour hot water. Let them brew for a few minutes until the water gets pink-ish. Then just press the button to let the tea pour to the bottom of the pitcher. I will usually use same buds 4 times and then change into new ‘load’. It is healthy, it is delicious AND smells beautiful! Go and check for yourselves!