Gardenia White Tea

Gardenia White Tea is a blended white tea that pairs dried gardenia flowers with White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) from Fujian, China. The gardenia adds a gentle floral scent to the smooth, naturally sweet character of white tea — not perfumy or overwhelming, just enough to notice.

Each piece comes individually wrapped — about 5g of tea and flower combined, which keeps everything fresh and makes brewing straightforward. Once brewed, you get that familiar mild white tea base with a soft gardenia note sitting behind it. Several of our customers who usually drink green tea have told us they enjoy this as an afternoon change of pace.

How it tastes

The gardenia scent hits first when you open the tin. In the cup, the white tea gives you a mild, slightly sweet base while the gardenia adds a floral layer that doesn't take over. It's refreshing without being too light — you still get substance from the White Peony.

Who might enjoy this

If you like the scent of gardenia flowers, this tea puts that fragrance in drinkable form. It also works well if you already enjoy white tea but want something with a bit more character, or if you find other floral teas too strong.

A note from Joanne: "This has become one of those teas I reach for when I want something soothing but not too subtle. The gardenia adds just enough character without overwhelming the white tea underneath."

Available at our Salamanca Tea Bar — come try before you buy.

Tea profile

Taste: Gardenia fragrance, refreshing, subtle sweetness
Type: Blended White Tea
Origin: Fujian Province, China
Oxidation: 5-10% — minimally oxidized (White Peony base)
TCM Property: Cool (凉性) — gentle and calming
Ingredients: Dried gardenia flowers, White Peony white tea
Harvest: Spring 2023
No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

Brewing instructions

Western brewing: Half a piece (approx. 2.5g) per 400ml teapot. 90°C water. Steep 3 minutes — up to 3 infusions.

Gongfu brewing: 1 piece (approx. 5g) per 150ml teapot. Warm the vessel first. 90°C water, steep 30 seconds. Up to 6 infusions.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from light and moisture.

Pairs well with our glass teapots if you want to compare the pure white tea flavour, or explore more blends in our white tea collection.

Like floral teas? Our Floral Teas Sampler Pack lets you try several different flower teas.

Frequently asked questions

What is gardenia white tea?
It's a blended white tea: White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) from Fujian scented with dried gardenia flowers. The white tea gives a smooth, naturally sweet base, and the gardenia adds a soft floral note. It's a true tea with real white tea leaves, not a pure herbal infusion.

Does gardenia white tea have caffeine?
Yes, a small amount. The White Peony base is a true tea (Camellia sinensis), so it carries the light caffeine typical of white tea — gentler than green or black tea, but not caffeine-free. The gardenia flowers themselves add none. If you'd prefer a genuinely caffeine-free cup, see our caffeine-free tea collection.

What does it taste like?
Mild and slightly sweet from the white tea, with a gardenia fragrance sitting behind it rather than on top. It's refreshing without being thin — the White Peony still gives the cup some body.

How do I brew gardenia white tea?
Western style: about half a wrapped piece (approx. 2.5g) per 400ml, 90°C water, steep 3 minutes, up to 3 infusions. Gongfu style: one piece (approx. 5g) per 150ml, warm the vessel first, 90°C water, 30-second steeps, up to 6 infusions.

Who is it best for?
People who already enjoy white tea but want a little more character, anyone who likes the scent of gardenia, or green tea drinkers after a softer afternoon cup. To explore more, browse our white tea collection or other flower teas.