Tea Bombs Recipe

Pretty translucent spheres filled with floral tea make this Tea Bombs Recipe a lovely gift for the tea lover in your life. Just add hot water.

If you are a tea lover, then you’ll love these pretty little translucent floral tea bombs. With all the craze of the hot chocolate bombs on TikTok last fall, it was only a matter of time before that idea got a sophisticated update and moved on to tea.

These tea bombs are similar in concept to the hot chocolate bombs. They are just a little candy sphere filled with ingredients for tea. The globe melts with the hot water and releases the tea and edible flowers for a delightful cup of soothing relaxation.

In my opinion, these are the prettiest way to enjoy tea, gift tea and display tea. I know I would be thrilled to receive a pack of these floral tea globes.

When I saw the idea, I knew I just had to make some. With as popular as the hot chocolate bombs are – these really were a “must-make”.

While they are not quite as easy as the hot chocolate version, they are definitely worth trying if you are looking to up your tea experience.

tea bombs

Here are some commonly asked questions

What are tea bombs?

Tea bombs are a spin-off from the hot chocolate bombs craze. They are a sphere made out of Isomalt or granulated sugar and then filled with ingredients for tea. The globe melts with the hot water and releases the tea and edible flowers.

What is the best tea to use?

Honestly, this is a personal choice. Because I never know what everyone will be in the mood for and no one here has a specific flavor they exclusively drink – I keep a variety pack of tea flavors to use. I make sure to leave the tag sticking out of the bomb so anyone can choose their flavor easily.

floral tea

Can these be made without Isomalt?

I understand that Isomalt isn’t as easy to find as granulated sugar. So, Yes – you can make these tea bombs without Isomalt. The purpose of making them with Isomalt is to keep them translucent. The bonus with using it in place of sugar is that it is made with beat sugar, meaning that it should not affect blood sugar.

But if you would like to make these using granulated sugar – use these ingredients in place of the Isomalt. Please understand that they will not be translucent – but you can add a few drops of gel food coloring to make them just as pretty.

Use a candy thermometer and cook until the HARD CRACK stage, which is 300 degrees. Be sure to measure the temp from the center of the pot and don’t let the thermometer touch the bottom when measuring. Getting the thermometer too close to the sides or bottom of the pot will give an inaccurate reading. Also – attaching the thermometer to the side of the pot with the included clip will result in a hot spot forming in that area and can cause burning.

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tbsp water

flower bomb tea

Ingredients for Hot Tea Bombs

• Isomalt Crystals
• Tea Bags in a flavor of your choice – can also use loose leaf tea if preferred
• Dried Edible Flowers

What kind of flowers to use for tea bombs?

When making tea bombs it is very important to make sure you are using edible flowers. They should be dried and prepared for human consumption. My personal favorites are Jasmine, Rosebuds, Lavender, Marigold, Chamomile, Pink Rose Petals.

tik tok hot tea bombs

How to make Hot Tea Bombs

1. In a small saucepan, melt isomalt crystals over medium-high heat.
2. Do not stir isomalt while it is melting, just allow the crystals to melt. Shake the pan to facilitate melting if needed, but do not stir until all crystals have liquified.
3. Once completely melted, stir until the bubbles have disappeared and the liquid is clear.
4. Working quickly AND VERY CAREFULLY, pour or spoon a couple of tablespoons of liquid into the mold cavities being careful to avoid contact with skin. The mixture will be very hot and will burn the skin.
5. Rotate the mold to coat the inside of the mold evenly, making sure to get the entire mold cavity covered. This method produces a smooth translucent shell.
6. Allow the half-orbs to cool for about 20-30 minutes before moving to the next step.
7. If needed, this process can be repeated until all mold cavities have been filled. Isomalt can be reheated multiple times as long as you are careful not to burn it.
8. When all of the orbs have cooled, remove the top halves from the mold by pushing them up from the bottom. Leave the bottom halves in the mold. This makes it for easier assembly.

How to assemble hot tea bombs

1. Place the tea bags in the bottom half of the globe (that is still in the mold) along with any edible flowers or herbs you are using. If desired leave the teabag string outside the mold.
2. Place a small skillet over low heat. This will be used to smooth the orb edges and enable the joining of the two orbs together.
3. Once the skillet has heated, carefully place one globe top onto the hot skillet for a few seconds to smooth and melt the edge. Then quickly place it on top of the bottom half that is still in the mold and filled with tea and flowers. The melted edges will dry and join the halves together.
4. Repeat step 11 for the other two globes.
5. After approximately 5-10 minutes you should be able to remove the entire globe from the mold by pressing up from the bottom to release the bottom half of the globe. Be careful, the globes are fragile.
6. If desired, extra flowers can be attached to the top or sides of the globes using a bit of the melted isomalt. To do this, melt a small amount of isomalt in the pan. CAREFULLY dip one end of a flower into melted iso-malt and attach/place it onto the globe. This step is optional and is best to be completed using sugar gloves.

floral tea bombs

What is the best mold for tea bombs?

I personally love this 2″ silicone mold – but it comes in a set with smaller versions as well. So if you wanted to make a larger quantity but slightly smaller tea bombs – you could use the other sizes to make a variety. Because of the typical size of tea bags – I recommend making these with the large 2″ mold – which makes 3 complete bombs.

However- if you are using loose leaf tea then you could portion out what would fit into a smaller globe. That is entirely up to you – the process is the same.

How to store tea bombs

Floral Tea Globes can be stored at in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration is not necessary. Place them in a paper sack and fold over the top. Any excessive humidity can make them sticky.

tea bombs diy

What is the best candy thermometer?

When making this recipe with Isomalt, you won’t need a candy thermometer. However- if you decide to make this using the granulated sugar method – then you will need to use a candy thermometer. I like this one.

Can I use regular food coloring?

You can use food coloring with either method shown here. I don’t recommend using a standard liquid food coloring because it can change the consistency of the melted Isomalt or sugar. Please use gel food coloring.

gifts for tea lovers

How to clean hard candy from the pot

This is the not so fun part about making candy – the stuck on mess that is left behind when you have moved on from this stage of the recipe. But I’m here to tell you – it doesn’t have to be so difficult. Here are some of the methods I use to remove stuck on candy from the pot.

• Immediately fill with hot soapy water once you have emptied the pot. Let it soak until you are ready to wash it.
• Fill the pot with water and a couple drops of soap and gently bring to a boil over low heat on the stovetop. Let boil for a few minutes and the stuck on mess should release.
• Fill the pot with warm water and then place a dryer sheet in the water and submerge. Let it sit overnight to soak.

Can tea bombs be made in the microwave?

Actually – yes, you can make these using a microwave instead of doing it on the stovetop. Please follow the follwing instructions for the microwave method.

1. Place the Isomalt in a large, glass, microwave-safe measuring cup.
2. Heat on high, stirring every 30-seconds until the Isomalt is completely melted.
3. Then continue starting at step 4 of the recipe here.

flower tea

• small saucepan
• 2″ silicone mold
• protective glove set for isomalt sugar
• Isomalt Crystals
• Isomalt Crystals with Protective Gloves -SET
• tea bags in a flavor of your choice 
• loose leaf tea
• dried edible flowers

gifts for tea drinkers

If you love this Tea Bombs recipe, you’re going to love these other special gift ideas too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

gift ideas for tea lovers

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