Project

Tea-Infused Candles

Whether you like white tea, green tea, or black tea, here's how to turn your favorite blend into a stress-relieving, aromatic candle.

Photography: Anusha Rajeswaran

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

This idea comes from our friend Anusha Rajeswaran of Fish & Bull. If you're looking for more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of Candles and Candlemaking.

materials

Loose leaf tea

Cooking oil

Soy wax chips

Wooden candle wicks with metal tabs

Glass jars

Heatproof glass measuring cup

Thermometer

Scissors

Oven mitts

Optional: Essential oils

steps

Place wax chips in a heatproof glass measuring cup. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds; stir. Repeat until completely melted. (Tip: Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature of the melting wax does not reach flash point or it will be highly flammable.)
Attach a wood wick to metal tab; dip tab in melted wax and center at bottom of a glass jar.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil on a stovetop and steep the tea bags until the oil is scented. Stir in a few drops of essential oil if you want to boost the scent. (Tip: We used lavender and chamomile tea bags, stirred with lemon essential oil.)
Remove the tea-infused oil and melted wax from the heat, then combine both.
Slowly pour the melted wax into your glass jar. Once the wax has cooled and solidified, trim the wood wick.