Quang An lotus-scented tea highlighted as Vietnam’s premium cultural heritage

Artisan families in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, led by Ngô Van Xiêm, continue the centuries‑old craft of producing Quang An lotus‑scented tea. The process involves rapid, coordinated steps among family members, from harvesting West Lake’s Bach Diep lotus buds to extracting the fragrant “gạo sen” (lotus rice) anthers and scenting green tea by hand.

The tea is prized for its delicate balance of green‑tea flavor and the pure fragrance of the lotus, earning it the reputation of the “supreme tea of all time.” It is served at official state tea ceremonies and welcomed by foreign heads of state, symbolising Hanoi’s culinary heritage and the meticulous skill of the artisans.

The handcrafted method, while allowing larger‑scale production than more elaborate traditional techniques, still demands great dexterity to preserve the lotus aroma, underscoring the cultural and ceremonial importance of the delicacy within Vietnam.