Assam Hunwal (FBOP)

Description

You can literally taste the history in a cup of Hunwal's exceptionally produced tea. The Estate, located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in upper Assam saw its fair share of events during the last century, many of these before, during and after WWII. King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth and Governor of India from 1936-47, (Governor of India was an old Colonial title,) stayed on the Estate during a visit just before the war. Estate rumor still maintains that the King preferred a FBOP, brewed strong, with a dash of milk and a small spoon of sugar. Unfortunately, the leisurely pace of the George's visit would be entirely turned upside down once the war began in earnest.

The fact that Assam bordered Burma placed it in the unfortunate position as a potential target by the Japanese Imperial army (Burma had been a British colony but was conquered by the Japanese.) Large garrisons of British soldiers were subsequently stationed in the area in order to repel a possible invasion, which luckily didn't materialize. The soldiers made their mark on the region in the form of the Ledo Road, a supply road constructed to link Assam to Kunming China. The road was built to allow Western allies to supply China in its war against Japan after the Japanese took the older Burma Road. Remnants of the Ledo Road, such as bridges and road dividers can still be seen when driving in the vicinity of Hunwal Estate. Later on in history, China launched an attempted invasion of India via the Assam valley in 1963. Luckily for India, pressure from the world community at large caused the Chinese to cancel the invasion after only one day.

Throughout it all, tea planters and pluckers grew and produced quality black teas. History is visibly evident everywhere you look on a visit to the Estate today. At the foot of every tea patch is a signpost indicating the date it was planted. Looking at the dates and thinking about what happened over the years is in amazing experience that stays with you as you taste the day's production from various sections of the Estate. Hunwal's reputation for producing Orthodox teas is as rich as its heritage. Metropolitan Tea is fortunate to have a continued and secure supply of top seasonal FBOP and GBOP varieties. What's the difference between the two? FBOP, (Flowery Broken Orange pekoe) is a tippier version of GBOP (Golden Broken Orange Pekoe) and therefore slightly milder in the cup. The tea produces a delicately astringent liquor with flavorful layers of malt. These characteristics make Hunwal FBOP excellent on its own or with a dash of milk. Raise a cup to the past!

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.