100th Anniversary Loose Tea from Butchart Gardens

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I first discovered the 100th Anniversary Loose Tea during a recent afternoon tea at the breathtaking Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. Surrounded by blooming flowers and garden views, I sipped this lovely blend and knew I needed to bring a bit of the moment home with me. (Read more about the wonderful afternoon tea at Butchart Gardens HERE.)

Created to celebrate Butchart Gardens’ 100th anniversary in 2008, this loose leaf blend is as elegant as the gardens themselves—a soft black and green blend featuring Darjeeling, Hunan black, and a touch of gunpowder green.

First Impressions: An Intriguing Mix

The dry leaves are beautiful and varied—rolled gunpowder green mixed with pretty black and brown leaves. The aroma is subtle, with hints of sweetness and fresh grass.

The packaging is simple, featuring a photo of the iconic Butchart Gardens Sunken Garden. It doesn’t offer brewing instructions, which feels like a quiet nod to experienced tea drinkers who will brew it to their own taste.

Brewing & Tasting Notes

There are no formal directions on the package, but I brewed it as I would a black tea (check out my article about all about the basics of Black Tea for tips). I recommend using an infuser with plenty of space—tiny tea balls won’t let this lovely blend shine. (Check out the section on tea infusers in my article, A Beginner’s Guide To Brewing Loose Leaf Tea, to learn more about infusers.)

Once steeped, the liquor is a warm reddish-brown—quite a bit darker than a green, but lighter than many black teas. The aroma is gentle and layered: a hint of straw, a wisp of honey, maybe a whisper of apricot, and soft floral notes.

The first sip brings a balanced, mellow profile. Straw-like and fruity, with touches of apricot, berry, and flower petals. The fruit notes linger pleasantly on the palate. It’s smooth and lightly sweet, with no bitterness at all. The Darjeeling component likely contributes its fruity muscatel character (muscatel is a common descriptor for Darjeeling teas; a unique, hard-to-describe flavor of soft grape or wine-like notes).

Body & Finish

The blend has a medium body, with a round mouthfeel and well-balanced flavors. As it cools, it shifts from straw-like notes to more pronounced fruitiness. The finish is long and mellow—no sharp edges or abrupt fadeouts.

A Tea for Any Occasion

The 100th Anniversary Loose Tea is a great choice for morning or early afternoon. It’s versatile enough for a casual everyday moment but also lovely enough to serve at a more formal tea event. It would be especially tasty with a classic cream tea—think scones, jam, and clotted cream—or paired with a traditional spread of tea sandwiches and petit fours.

Final Thoughts

What I think is most special about this blend is how it harmonizes the distinct characteristics of each tea type—soft grassy notes from the green, fruity tones from the Darjeeling, and depth from the Hunan black. That said, I found it just a bit flatter than I remembered from my tea service at the gardens. This may have been from the age of the leaves, the mineral content in the water used to brew the tea, or simply the magic of the moment while sipping in such a beautiful place.

Regardless, I would happily drink the 100th Anniversary Loose Tea blend again and recommend it, especially to anyone who appreciates refined blends or enjoys the unique flavor of Darjeeling teas.

Where to Purchase

The 100th Anniversary Loose Tea is available in 50g packages directly from Butchart Gardens, either at the gardens’ gift shop or online at the Butchart Gardens online shop HERE.

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