Product Overview
Gomphrena Globosa, also called Red Globe Amaranth Flower, literally translates to 'Thousand Days Red' due to the long blooming period of this flower. Globe amaranth is a short annual with dense, cloverlike flower clusters that often are dried and preserved. The flowers lack petals but exhibit red, pink, orange, or white bracts on long stalks. This tea contains essential vitamins and minerals and is known in Chinese medicine for helping to relieve cough, shortness of breath, and enhance vision. Light herbal sweetness. This tea has an intriguing smell and held through more than one brewing, an interesting herbal.
Few things compare to the beauty or give as much delight than a vase full of fresh flowers. Unfortunately, that beauty is often fleeting as the petals fade and whither in a few short days. Although, as with most rules, there is an exception as globe amaranth is one of few annuals that weeks later, is as attractive as the day it was picked.
The unique bracts on these long-lasting cut flowers, known as “Everlasting flowers”, such as globe amaranth, straw flowers, and xeranthemums, have a stiff papery texture. These plants are great additions to dried arrangements because they retain their fresh look and original color for several months or even years.
Globe amaranth, Gomphrena globosa, is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, which includes colorful celosia and the common weed, red-root pigweed. Globe amaranth and many members of this family produce tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are surrounded by larger, colorful leaf-like bracts.
Just as the name indicates, the clover-like flower heads on globe amaranth, which are about an inch in diameter, are often round or nearly oval. Each plant produces dozens of these unusual flowers on strong, wiry stem. Globe amaranths bloom non-stop from early summer through fall in a wide range of colors including purple, lavender, rose, red, orange and white. Their abundant blooms and uniform plant height make them a good candidate for “carpet bedding” displays where masses of color create designs or patterns.
Depending on the variety, globe amaranth plants grow six- to 30-inches tall. The ‘Buddy’ Series and ‘Gnome’ varieties are dwarf forms that grow six-to ten-inches tall and bloom in shades of white, purple and rose. They are great as a border or edger in the garden and in containers. Tall varieties, such as ‘All Around Purple, ‘Strawberry Fields’ and the ‘QIS’ Series, grow two-feet tall and are recommended for drying and for cut flower gardens. Additionally, these tall varieties are attractive fillers for the middle of a border garden.
Globe amaranth is an easy annual flower to grow. The plant , typically started from seed and set out as transplants after the threat of frost, grows best in a well-drained, full-sun location. Globe amaranth is quite drought tolerant and will not survive in wet, poorly drained soil. The plants only require occasional dead-heading and are relatively pest-free.
Globe amaranth flowers are extremely simple to dry. Cut while the small yellow flowers are still fresh and leave as much stem attached as possible. Bundle six to 12 stems together with a rubber band and hang upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area.
To prepare the tea, rinse tea cup and teapot with hot water. Use about 2 teaspoons for every 500ml of water. Infuse in hot water at 90°c (194°F) to 95°c (203°F) for 2 to 4 minutes for the first and second brewing. Gradually increase steeping time and temperature for subsequent brewing.