When it comes to a tea that represents Vietnam, it is "lotus tea" (tra sen), carrying the scent of the lotus. This premium tea, in which the elegant aroma of lotus flowers is transferred to green tea, has long been used locally for hospitality and gifts. Its characteristic is a pure fragrance that gently rises, and it is popular as a souvenir too. On the other hand, there is also caffeine-free lotus tea made from lotus leaves and seeds, chosen according to the use.
This article brings together the basics of what lotus tea is, the two types (premium scented tea and leaf tea), why high-grade lotus tea made with lotus from Hanoi's West Lake is prized, whether it contains caffeine, how to brew it tastily, how to choose it as a souvenir, and other Vietnamese teas such as jasmine tea.
What is Vietnamese lotus tea?
Lotus tea is a traditional Vietnamese tea that makes use of the lotus's aroma and components. In Vietnamese it is called "tra sen," and you can enjoy the pure scent of the lotus (sen). Since ancient times it has been used to welcome guests and as a special gift, and it has been cherished as a tea of distinction.
The best known type is green tea infused with the scent of lotus flowers. The lotus fragrance soaks into the tea leaves, layering the freshness of green tea with the graceful aroma of lotus. One sip and a flower-like fragrance gently spreads, with a clean finish. In Vietnam, this fragrant lotus tea has been treasured as a cup of fine hospitality.
The two types of lotus tea
Though all called lotus tea, there are broadly two types. One is a scented green-tea-based tea, the other a herbal-tea-like one using lotus leaves and seeds, and they differ in taste and nature.
| Item | Scent-infused lotus tea | Lotus-leaf and -seed tea |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials | Green tea plus lotus-flower scent | Lotus leaves, seeds and plumule |
| Flavor | The body of green tea and the scent of lotus | A toasty, rustic flavor |
| Caffeine | Yes (from green tea) | None |
| Positioning | Premium tea, for gifting | An everyday tea |
Scent-infused lotus tea, in which green tea is slowly imbued with the scent of lotus flowers, is treated as a premium tea. The tea made from dried lotus leaves, seeds and plumule, on the other hand, has a toasty, rustic flavor and is drunk casually as an everyday tea. The presence of caffeine differs by type, explained in detail later. The premium goods you see as souvenirs are mainly the former, scent-infused type.
Why premium lotus tea is prized
Among Vietnam's lotus teas, those made with lotus from Hanoi's West Lake (Ho Tay) are known as the finest. The painstaking scenting underpins the value of premium lotus tea.
Premium lotus tea is made using the source of fragrance inside the lotus flower, transferring the scent to green tea many times. To scent a small amount of tea leaves, many lotus flowers are needed, and it is all done by hand. The lotus of West Lake in particular is richly fragrant, and lotus tea made with lotus harvested here is considered exceptional. Because painstaking effort and scarce raw materials combine, premium lotus tea is expensive and welcomed as a gift. The depth of the aroma and the length of the aftertaste create a special quality unlike everyday tea.
Does lotus tea contain caffeine?
Whether lotus tea contains caffeine varies by type. It is a useful reference when choosing when to drink it.
Lotus tea made by transferring lotus scent to green tea contains caffeine because its base is green tea. It suits a daytime cup when you want to enjoy the aroma refreshingly. Tea made only from lotus leaves and seeds, on the other hand, uses no green tea, so it is caffeine-free. If you are concerned about caffeine or want to relax in the evening, choosing leaf or seed lotus tea is a good idea. Even the same "lotus tea" differs in contents, so checking which type it is at purchase is reassuring.
How to brew lotus tea well
Fragrant lotus tea changes greatly in flavor depending on how you brew it. Let us cover the knack for drawing out the lotus aroma.
- Put tea leaves in a teapot (one tea bag per cup if using bags)
- Pour water cooled to about 80 degrees Celsius
- Steep for about 2 to 3 minutes to draw out the aroma
- Pour into cups and enjoy the rising lotus fragrance
Green-tea-based lotus tea tends to turn bitter with water that is too hot, so the knack is to use slightly cooled water. Leaf teas can be brewed for a second and third infusion, letting you enjoy the shift in aroma with each. For lotus-leaf and -seed tea, simmering slowly at a somewhat higher temperature brings out the toastiness. Adding no sugar and savoring the aroma itself is the Vietnamese way.
How to choose lotus tea as a souvenir
Lotus tea is a standard Vietnamese souvenir. Choosing it to match the recipient and purpose makes for a welcome gift.
- For handing out easily, individually wrapped tea bags are convenient
- For a special gift, canned or boxed premium tea leaves
- For someone cutting back on caffeine, lotus-leaf or -seed tea
- If you value aroma, choose one with a stated origin such as West Lake
For a casual souvenir, lightweight, easy-to-distribute tea-bag lotus tea works well. For a gift to someone you are indebted to, premium tea leaves in a can or paulownia box are splendid. If the recipient is mindful of caffeine, choosing caffeine-free leaf or seed tea is thoughtful. When looking for Vietnamese ingredients or souvenirs, see our sister site, dedicated Vietnam souvenir site as well.
Vietnamese teas other than lotus tea
Vietnam is a country where tea production is active, and besides lotus tea, teas with individuality in aroma and origin, such as jasmine tea and green tea, are enjoyed.
"Jasmine tea," infused with the scent of jasmine flowers, is popular as a fragrant tea alongside lotus tea. Thai Nguyen Province in the north is known as a famous green-tea producing area, making full-bodied green tea. In mountainous areas, deeply flavorful green tea picked from old tea trees is also produced. Such teas are drunk daily, after meals and in moments of relaxation. From fragrant teas to rustic green teas, the range is wide, hinting at the depth of Vietnam's tea culture. For the national drink that rivals tea, see The Complete Guide to Vietnamese Coffee which we also introduce there.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of tea is lotus tea?
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It is a traditional Vietnamese tea that makes use of the lotus's aroma and components. The most famous is a premium tea in which the scent of lotus flowers is transferred to green tea, characterized by a pure fragrance. There is also a caffeine-free tea made from lotus leaves and seeds. It has been used for hospitality and gifts.
- Is lotus tea caffeine-free?
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It depends on the type. Lotus tea made by transferring lotus scent to green tea contains caffeine from the green tea. Tea made only from lotus leaves and seeds is caffeine-free. If you want to drink it in the evening or cut back on caffeine, choosing the leaf or seed type is a good idea.
- Why is Vietnamese lotus tea high-grade?
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Because many lotus flowers are used to scent a small amount of tea leaves, and the scenting is all done by hand. The lotus harvested at Hanoi's West Lake in particular is richly fragrant, and lotus tea made with it is considered the finest. Painstaking effort and scarce raw materials combine, so the price is high too.
- How do you brew lotus tea well?
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For green-tea-based lotus tea, steeping for 2 to 3 minutes in water cooled to about 80 degrees Celsius keeps bitterness down and draws out the aroma. Leaf teas can be enjoyed over a second and third infusion. Lotus-leaf and -seed tea brings out more toastiness when brewed slowly at a somewhat higher temperature. Adding no sugar and savoring the aroma is the local way.
- Is lotus tea suitable as a souvenir?
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It is a standard Vietnamese souvenir. For handing out easily, individually wrapped tea bags work well; for a special gift, canned or boxed premium tea leaves are suitable. For a recipient mindful of caffeine, choosing caffeine-free leaf or seed tea makes a welcome gift.
Summary: Vietnamese lotus tea, enjoyed through its aroma
Vietnam's lotus tea (tra sen) is a traditional tea carrying the pure scent of the lotus. There is a premium type with the scent transferred to green tea and a caffeine-free type using lotus leaves and seeds, chosen by use. Premium lotus tea made with lotus from Hanoi's West Lake is welcomed as a gift for its painstaking effort and scarcity. Brewed with slightly cooled water, you can enjoy the aroma even more. It is a Vietnamese cup that suits both a souvenir and daily relaxation.
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