Safflower

Safflower is a thistle-like plant grown since ancient times in the Middle East, India and Egypt, where its bright petals were once used as a natural dye. The dried petals add a vivid orange-red color and a delicate, lightly floral, slightly bitter touch to the cup. Safflower is mostly used for visual appeal in fruit blends, herbal blends and green tea, pairing nicely with citrus, mango and marigold. It is sometimes called false saffron because of its golden shade.

Learn about every ingredient we use in our Tea Ingredients A–Z.