Yorkshire Earl Grey

Description

So, what exactly does Earl Grey, or more precisely, Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey has to do with Yorkshire, a country in Northern England? Hint - the answer isn't "he was born there." Charles Grey was born farther north up in Northumberland. Before 2006 the answer pretty much would have been "nothing", except for the fact that he probably would have traveled through Yorkshire on his way to London to take care of his duties as Prime Minister. So, what happened in 2006 to link the man with the county 161 years after his death? It was the acquisition of his old writing desk by a museum in Leeds, one of Yorkshire's larger centers. Doesn't sound very exciting do it? Well, a lot went down on that desk.

For one, he probably drank a lot of tea seated at the decorative rosewood table, which was believed built in 1825. His cup probably would have held an infusion of broad-leafed China black tea scented with his signature bergamot. In his capacity as Prime Minister, he also wrote and signed many important government bills at the ornate desk. Perhaps one of the most important of these was an act to abolish slavery in the colonies. This act put an end to the centuries' old slave trade between Africa, Europe and the New World. In the world of writing desks, it's an important one.

To honor the man, his tea and his contribution to a better world for all, we've decided to formulate a new variation of his fantastic namesake blend. To start, rather than use a base blend of Chinese tea, the traditional Earl Grey base, we began with a very flavory blend of high grown, seasonal Ceylon teas from Sri Lanka. Next, as a reference to his abolition of the slavery of the African people, we bolstered the blend with a fabulous BOP grade (Broken Orange Pekoe) from Tinderet estate in Kenya. To this we added our all-natural oil of bergamot to create the tell-tale bite of citrus. The resulting cup is wonderfully rich and robust, laden with round notes of malt and superlative bergamot character. You've never had Earl Grey like this!

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Black Tea

IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 100ºC/212ºF

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT: For a greater antioxidant benefit brew longer and use more tea.

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY: We strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today's water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses.

Epic Iced Tea Instructions

Tea isn't just served hot!  Iced tea is one of the most refreshing and natural thirst quenchers around the world.  Here is our suggested method of brewing the best iced tea.

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):

1. Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea.
3. Steep for 5 minutes.
4. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
5. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the bags.
6. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
7. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase
8. the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.

Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):

1. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea.
3. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
4. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
5. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
6. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.

Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.

HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart):

1. Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend.
3. Steep for 5-10 minutes.
4. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
5. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags.
6. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
7. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot brew since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.

HERB & FRUIT ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):

1. Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
2. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend.
3. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
4. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
5. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
6. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.