STRAWBERRY
(Black Tea with natural flavors)
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka
Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 4800 - 7600 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Cup Characteristics: One of the
most delicious flavored teas you have tasted! Truly like fresh strawberries. Add a pinch of sugar or try it on ice - terrific!
Infusion: Bright and
Coppery.
Ingredients: Luxury
black tea, Natural dried papaya, Freeze dried strawberry, Lime leaves, Natural flavors.
Information:
Yet another summertime favorite, particularly over ice. Generally grown throughout
the world, strawberries are known for being a delicious fruit. One has to consider Florida as the winter capital, whereas
many would argue that Belgium is the main capital of the strawberry. In the 13th century, France used the strawberry for
medicinal purposes being high in folic acid and vitamin C. The strawberry was first cultivated in ancient Rome and said to
be one of Nero's favorite fruits. Thus it is of no surprise that strawberry tea is one of the most popular teas around
today.
What type of tea
do we use, how do we flavor the tea and why do we use natural flavors?
Firstly... we only use high grown teas from the top 3 tea growing regions of
Sri Lanka - Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula and Uva. These three high-grown districts produce flavorful teas that have classic ‘Ceylon'
tea character which is noted by floral bouquet and flavor notes, touches of mild astringency, bright coppery color and, most
importantly - perfect for use as the base tea of our flavored teas. (We have tested teas from various other origins around
the world as base stock for our flavored teas, but none of these teas made the grade.) Dimbula and the western estates of
Nuwara Eliya have a major quality peak during Jan/Feb, whereas Uva and the eastern estates of Nuwara Eliya have their peak
in July/Aug. This ‘dual peak period' allow us to buy the best for our flavored tea blends several times during
the year, ensuring top quality and freshness.
Secondly... we use flavoring oils not crystals to give the tea drinker an olfactory holiday before indulging in
a liquid tea treat. Thirdly... we specify natural flavors. High quality tea tastes good and natural flavors do not mask
the natural taste of the high grown Ceylon tea. (The norm for many making flavored tea is to use overpowering artificial
flavors, which can be used to hide lower quality tea). Natural flavors do not leave an aftertaste giving the tea a clean
and true character. It should be noted that natural flavors tend to be somewhat ‘soft ‘ and the flavors slightly
muted, but for many this is a refreshing change and one of the desired attributes of our naturally flavored teas.
Hot tea brewing method: Bring
freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water
into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Even though milk and a dash of sugar help enhance the flavor character on this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume
this tea ‘straight-up'
Iced
tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and
sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will
be poured over ice and diluted with cold water]. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or ‘milky' when
poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!
