Customer Reviews

Numi Organic Tea Flowering Gift Set in Handcrafted Mahogany Bamboo Chest: Glass Teapot & 6 Flowering Tea Blossoms

5 star:		(166)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

I've waited a long time to get this set as it was very expensive when it first came out. It was well worth the wait, actually would've been well worth the cash had I spent it earlier. Amazon has a really low price on this.

The clear glass teapot holds about 16oz when full. Each tea flower will make 3 pots. The 3rd pot of tea is as good as the first, the 4th is weak.

The tea itself is excellent. Some of the best I've tasted and I'm very particular about the tea I drink. I've been enjoying the variety that came with the pot - haven't found one I've disliked yet and it is fun trying them all.

Since you will get about 6 cups of tea with each tea flower - they are all beautiful, I put the teapot on the table while the tea steeps so every can enjoy it. You will want to drink this with family or friends.

The whole set comes packaged nicely in a bamboo box that looks handmade. The box is pretty enough to be re-used for something else. The variety of tea is in a smaller bamboo box.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts, this would be an awesome one.

This is a wonderful item! I bought it when I first heard about flowering tea. It's a great starter kit because it comes with 9 different kinds of tea--all of which are beautiful to watch and delicious to drink. Now that I bought this set, I know which ones are my favorites.

I made my first pot of flowering tea when I was having a very bad day, and the simple act of brewing this tea and admiring the beautiful shapes and colors made me feel so much better. It sort of turns a normal pot of tea into an event!

I plan to buy this again to give as a gift. I love it.

I got this set a few weeks ago, and have tried most of the teas that came with it.
The teapot itself is somewhat fragile (especially if you are used to Beehouse brand), but is well worth the extra care. After the novelty of flowering tea wears out, you will still be able to amaze your guests with the beautiful sight of tea leaves unfolding into a gorgeous flower.
This is not your every day after-work-relaxing experience for several reasons. Cost, for one. The flavor of the tea itself is also not what you are used to. If you are a serious tea gourmand, you might be put off by the exotic experience, and you might have a better teapot for your cherished first flush darjeeling (or silver needle, for that matter): the glass looses heat very rapidly, and the strainer that comes with the teapot is a joke at best.
For what it is, however, this is an excellent addition to any kitchen (an especially good gift for a tea lover who has everything). I ended up buying Bodum glass teacups to match this teapot, and using it more for decorative purposes.

I had no idea what to expect when I purchased this item. I was looking for a nice tea pot and strainer combo. I figured I'd give it a shot for the price. I was in for a surprise. What a joy to the eye, soul, and palate.

Now, if you are looking for a large, sturdy tea pot - keep looking. This is a very delicate, small, 16 oz pot. I didn't get a strainer. No big deal. I don't need another one. What I did get for this tiny price is the most remarkable visual and sensory experience that lifts my soul after a long, hard, stressful day at work. From the moment I opened the Amazon box and saw the lovely bamboo box, I was sold. Then when I opened the box and found the tea in a mini bamboo box, I was very pleased. How beautiful is this presentation!

When the tea blooms in the pot, it is a beautiful site to see. The small tea pot then makes sense. The size and rounded body are the perfect showcase for this unusual product. Besides, it is the perfect fit for my large glass latte cup. I've had no problem pouring the tea, and my lid fits perfectly. It is delicate, so I am extra careful.

I've had no problem with the tea blooming using boiling water. I temper it with a metal spoon as a pour it into the pot. I don't want to chance cracking the tea pot. The tea tastes delicate and delicious. I get 3 pots from each bloom. I like my tea strong, so I brew it longer than recommended, but it never gets bitter. The second pot tastes best to me, but the 3rd pot is still excellent. And the colors of the brewed tea are beautiful also. They seems to glimmer with multiple hues. Don't ask me how or why.

I will be reordering this tea! You can't put a price on the relaxation I get from this experience. As a matter of fact, I'll be ordering a second gift set for myself - my boyfriend and I are fighting over who gets to keep the bamboo box! Besides, if this pot breaks, I want a back up.

The packaging looked nice but excessive and the actual contents were somewhat disappointing. The actual amount of tea in the individual small plastic baggies in the small bamboo box in the shredded paper padding within the larger bamboo box within the paper wrapping within the cardboard box within the plastic air packets within the shipping box was miniscule. The bamboo box that it came in that houses the teapot and box of tea is cute but not the sturdiest thing ever. I hope I never drop it. It's also a lot bigger than I realized it would be. As for the teapot, it's cute but a good glass teapot doesn't have the sort of imperfections you can see in this (unless I'm just unlucky in getting the one with the bubbles).
Lowest price I've seen this here: about $18

Got this for myself since I do usually enjoy Numi tea bags.
Howerver, I would NEVER consider giving this to any one as a gift!
The box itself is very flimsy, the tea pot is a joke! There was no strainer included, the lid of the pot, does not even fit on the pot! It's very dangerous to pour hot tea when the lid does not want to sit on the pot! Yes, it was cool to see the flowers unfold, but it ends there.
The color & the flavor is just not as impressive as what I had expected.
I wanted to return the item, but LATER found out that as a "grocery" item, it is NOT returnable! I wish that had been noted on the item page or before I checked out!!! I do not recommend this item at all!

The packaging looks fantastic, but leaves orange residue on my hands.

The tea pot looks lovely, but seems terribly fragile when picked up.

The tea 'blossoms' beautifully, but tastes old and weak.

I'm usually a fan of all things Numi, but this one falls far short of the mark. Three stars for the visual and presentation (has to count for something--it IS meant to be seen) and for not being entirely undrinkable.

This is a great way to try the teas before you buy them in any type of quantity. The pot brews about 3 cups of tea. I don't drink the tea often - I prefer to have it as an infrequent treat to keep the experience special.

The dragon lily tasted wonderful, but the flower was really ugly. However, I did buy a box of this tea and when I brewed it, the flower was more colorful and appealing. I was able to steep this flower 4 times for 12 cups. Although I admit that the last three cups didn't have as strong a flavor.
Starlight rose was disappointing. The flower never changed appearace, just got bigger. The flavor was strong and left my mouth feeling pasty.
Flower Jewel was a lovely bloom and the jasmine smell is wonderful, but the taste was weak.
Lavender Dream is similar to Dragon Lily.
Emerald Sun's flower didn't change. Flavor was okay, but nothing special.
Jade Fortune was nothing special. The bloom looked like a sea urchin - kind of interesting. There was no real scent to it, and there was nothing special about the taste. It was stronger with the second pot, which was unusual, but the tea wasn't tasty enough to brew the third pot.
Jasmine Pearls unwind to become long, thin leaves. The scent is heavenly. The taste is not quite as dramatic, but still good. I used approximately 1 pearl for each cup of tea to brew it (3 pearls per pot).
Black Beauty looked like a sea urchin, and had a mild flavor and aroma. It brewed 3 nice pots of tea, but was nothing special.
Midnight Peony's flower remained the same. The flavor was like a light black tea.

So, the winning tea is definitely Dragon Lily - I highly recommend it!

Perceptions about this innovative box of flowering teas and accompanying teapot range from "Buyer Beware" to "Gift of the Year." Here's my take:

The Good: 9 tea selections that are unique in bloom, taste and fragrance. Each bloom yields 3 pots of tea. Lidded Glass teapot to view the spectacular blooming. 2 attractive, reusable and sustainable bamboo boxes (1 containing the individually wrapped flowers and a larger containing the whole kit and caboodle. Amazon's price, which at wholesale is a steal for this type of handmade, artisan product. And the sensory experience itself is priceless (though many a tea salon now have put a price on it).

The Bad: All selections do not quite yield 3 pots, and speaking of the pot, yes you may want to invest in a back-up.

For the price, I haven't seen a better gift. The nay sayers are looking for a product that would have to retail at twice the full retail value of this set. And you don't like the flavors? Isn't that a matter of personal taste? It certainly isn't a reflection of the tea quality, which is very good. To add to your experience, enjoy with friends and afterwards flip through The Tea Box by Gilles Brochard.

I was really excited about ordering this set and thrilled when it came. I have noticed something unexpected about the teas, however. With the teas I have tried from this set I have noticed an unpleasant dry aftertaste. Another taster noticed the same thing without my mentioning it.

I really like the glass tea pot. It is very nice to watch the tea fill the glass orb with color and flavor. Whether the flowers are beautiful or look more like sea urchins will be a matter of personal taste.

I had high hopes for the Starlight Rose Tea (white tea leaves with rosebud) and found it far inferior to Rose Petal Black Blended Tea by The Republic of Tea, which is excellent. On the other hand, Numi's Moroccan Mint is one of the finest teas I have ever tasted, superior to an old favorite of mine- Stash Tea Moroccan Mint.

After tasting this tea I am surprised by the number of reviews rating the tea that comes with the set as quite good. Maybe I got a bad batch or have strange taste buds- but there it is.

The bamboo box is quite charming.