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Green tea · Trà sen

Vietnamese Lotus Tea

Trà sen, West Lake lotus tea

7.4/10 editor's score

Green tea scented with the stamens and anthers of lotus flowers. West Lake lotus tea from Hanoi is the most celebrated.

ScentedFloralVietnam
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Vietnamese Lotus Tea, top-down

What you need

3 g leafVietnamese Lotus Tea
250 ml water80 to 85°C
Steep 1:302 steeps
LiquorPale gold
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Green tea scented with the stamens and anthers of lotus flowers.

CaffeineLow to medium~20 to 40 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit8.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestLotus season, summerLotus flowers in summer.
Pairs withLotus seed sweets, Fruit, Light cakesLess good with strong spice
Grown atLakesideWest Lake, Hanoi, Hanoi
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Vietnamese Lotus Tea

What sources say about the taste

Sources say a single batch may take thousands of lotus blossoms and many days of scenting 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

West Lake, HanoiHanoiVIETNAM
Scenting
Lotus stamens and anthers, "lotus rice" 1
Most famous
Trà sen Tây Hồ, West Lake 1
Lotus
Sen Bách Diệp, hundred-petaled 1
Base tea
From Thái Nguyên and the north 1

More from West Lake, Hanoi and Vietnam.

History and culture

Lotus tea was linked with scholars, nobles and poets in northern Vietnam 1.

The West Lake lotus appears often in Vietnamese poetry and song 1.

Editor's score

7.4/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 8.0Origin & heritage: 8.5Availability: 5.0Value: 6.5Beginner-friendliness: 8.5Versatility: 7.0Flavour 8.0Heritage 8.5Availability 5.0Value 6.5Beginners 8.5Versatility 7.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Vietnamese Lotus Tea~20 to 40 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Scenting follows the summer lotus bloom. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis green tea, scented with lotus flowers 1.

How it is made
01Base tea

Fine green tea 1.

02Scenting

Layered with lotus stamens 1.

03Drying

Dried after each round 1.

04Repeat

Many cycles 1.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark green twisted leaves.
LiquorPale gold.
After steeping
Wet leafGreen leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Lotus seed sweets
  • Fruit
  • Light cakes

Best avoided

  • Strong spice

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

West Lake tea is the top grade 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Lotus herbal infusions are a different drink 1.
  2. Flavoured versions are cheaper.
FAQ
Is lotus tea herbal?

Vietnamese lotus tea is green tea; lotus infusions are separate 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from VietnamWest Lake, HanoiScentedFloralVietnam

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Lotus tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_tea
  2. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.