Cook 1-1/3 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup and 1/3 cup distilled water together over high heat until a candy thermometer reaches 295 degrees.
How-to Article
Author
Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine
Description
Tea bombs are clear or colored sugar-base shells that contain loos-leaf tea or tea bags. Similar to hot chocolate bombs, the fillings and shells can be customized and decorated before dissolving in hot liquid. Homemade tea bombs look stunning and are easy to create with just three ingredients, plus your tea blend.
Our step-by-step how-to below will walk you through all the steps. Then, you just have to decide what flavor of tea to fill them with. We recommend our recipes for Energizing, Relaxing, Sleepy Time, Restorative, and/or Refreshing Tea Bombs!
Directions
Add food coloring gel, if desired. Cool to 265 degrees. Place a dome silicone mold upside down on a rimmed baking pan lined with wax paper and spray mold with nonstick spray; wipe off excess. Prop the long side of the prepared baking pan up 2-inches with a measuring cup.
Pour sugar over each mold in a circular motion, covering each mold. Let stand 30 seconds; remove measuring cup prop under pan. Use an oiled 2-1/4-inch-round cookie cutter to push down around the base of each mold. Repeat cutting around each mold 3 or 4 times to release shell.
Let sugar shells stand on molds for at least 20 minutes while preparing tea blend to ensure shell is hardened and completely cooled. Remove extra sugar shell around each half-sphere mold, then remove each half-sphere shell from its mold. Turn Brush a small amount of corn syrup on cooled shells to attach desired garnishes; such as: edible glitter, dried or fresh edible flowers, fresh or dried herbs, extra tea leaves, citrus zest, etc.
Set bottom half of sugar shells into a half sphere-shaped compartment. Fill each shell with 1 tablespoon loose leaf tea or tea bag.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Melt edges of one unfilled half-sphere on skillet. Quickly place on top of a tea-filled half-sphere and gently press 20 seconds to seal.