Anthony & Cleopatra Black Tea Hearts
A bold taste profile with deep red wine notes. Reminiscent of seasonal Keemun.
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Information
INGREDIENTS: Black tea
INGREDIENTS FROM: China
REGION(S): Yunnan Province
GROWING ALTITUDES: 2000 - 4000 feet above sea level
GRADE(S): Compressed OP (Orange Pekoe)
MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): Compressed tea - Silk Road traditional style
ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Medium
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Medium
KOSHER: Yes
VEGETARIAN: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
ARTISANAL NOTES: Small batch packed in Canada
INFUSION: Tending burgundy red
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Description
The tradition of pressing black teas into various forms and shapes dates back to the early Song Dynasty, 960 - 1279 BC. Sculptors and artisans would work with tea the way others worked with clay or textiles to form and mold delicate works of art. Unlike traditional art pieces however, these tea creations were never meant to be permanent, instead serving to represent the impermanence of life, love and happiness here on earth. In the modern era, the traditions continue and the stories and fables of life and love still serve as the inspiration for the creation of unique tea pieces. One such story, although it originally came from the Western tradition, inspired the manufacture of these tea hearts: the tragic tale of Anthony and Cleopatra.
The story of Mark Anthony and his star-crossed lover Cleopatra is one of the most famous love stories of all time. Mark Anthony, living in Alexandria Egypt, falls in love and moves in with the Cleopatra. It would have all been very straightforward if not for the fact that he was already married to another woman back in Rome. Over the years, Anthony and Cleopatra are separated by trial, war and bloodshed, but are ultimately reunited in death. Anthony, unable to bear defeat in battle against Caesar, his legal brother in law, kills himself by falling on his sword. Hearing the news by messenger, Cleopatra follows suit and poisons herself with the venom of an asp, a deadly snake.
Oh, the agony of the heart!
And what better way to pay homage than through the agony of the leaf? (Agony of the leaf is a taster's term used to describe the unfurling of tea in boiled water.) These beautifully pressed Yunnan tea hearts serve as a testament to fractured love. Like love itself, the hearts are fragile and breakable, and when the trials and tribulations of life come to bear on it, can unravel. In the same way, boiling water poured over the tea hearts causes them to undo, infusing with rich, bold liquor. The cup produced is tremendous - dark, with deep notes of wine and subtle earth, full body and medium-long finish. Best enjoyed in the company of someone special.
Where was black Pu-erh developed? Good question. While the exact origins of most Chinese Pu-erh teas have been lost to the mists of time and place, the origin of black Pu-erh can be pinpointed directly to the Kunming Tea Factory in the year 1972. In that year, the government of China, seeking to broaden its economic base, mandated that the Kunming factory develop a new, delicious tea that could be widely marketed. Drawing on centuries of experience, the tea masters of Kunming determined that a black Pu-erh was the ticket. (They were right, to this day black Pu-erh is the world's top selling variety.)
What makes black Pu-erh tea different from other black teas? Great question. The answer is real fermentation and aging. Black Pu-erh undergoes a fermentation process in which the tea is processed and stored for a set period of time without being dried completely. The tea is usually either buried in the ground, stored in caves or under damp heavy tarps. Fermenting over time imparts the earthy character typical of most Pu-erh teas.
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Allergen Declaration
Allergens controlled by robust HACCP and GMP manufacturing protocols.
SCROLL SIDEWAYS OR USE SLIDER AT THE BOTTOM TO VIEW FULL CHARTPRODUCT NAME: Anthony & Cleopatra Black Tea Hearts
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Formed - China Black Tea
KNOWN OR CLAIMED SOURCES OF FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES
Present in the product
Present in the same manufacturing factory
Tree Nuts and Derivatives of Tree Nuts
No
Yes
Almonds
No
Yes
Brazil Nuts
No
No
Cashews
No
No
Chestnuts
No
No
Coconut
No
Yes
Hazelnut
No
No
Hickory
No
No
Macadamia
No
No
Pecan
No
No
Pine
No
No
Pistachio
No
No
Walnut
No
Yes
Peanuts and Derivatives of Peanuts
No
No
Peanuts
No
No
Peanut Oil
No
No
Sesame Seeds and Derivatives of Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Oil, refined
No
No
Wheat and Derivatives of Wheat
No
Yes
Wheat Starch Hydrolysates
No
Yes
Egg and Derivatives of Eggs
No
No
Milk, Dairy and Derivatives of Dairy
No
No
Soybeans and Derivatives of Soybeans
No
Yes
Soy Oil/Soybean Oil
No
No
Soy Lecithin
No
Yes
Crustaceans and Derivatives of Crustaceans
No
No
Abalone
No
No
Clam
No
No
Crab
No
No
Crayfish
No
No
Cuttlefish
No
No
King Prawn
No
No
Krill
No
No
Lobster
No
No
Mussels
No
No
Oysters
No
No
Scallop
No
No
Shrimp
No
No
Snail
No
No
Squid
No
No
Fish and Derivatives of Fish
No
No
Anchovies
No
No
Bonito
No
No
Coal Fish
No
No
Mackerel
No
No
Perch/Tilapia
No
No
Salmon
No
No
Cod
No
No
Tuna
No
No
White Fish
No
No
Fish, unspecified
No
No
Mustard and Derivatives of Mustard
No
No
Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg expressed as S02
No
Yes
Gluten and Derivatives of Gluten
No
Yes
Gluten from Barley
No
No
Gluten from Kamut
No
No
Gluten from Oat
No
No
Gluten from Rye
No
No
Gluten from Spelt
No
No
Gluten from Triticale
No
No
Gluten from Wheat
No
Yes
Celery and Products thereof
No
No
Lupin and Products thereof
No
No
Column 'Present in the product' indicates the allergens that may be found in the product, from addition or cross contamination. Column 'Present in the same manufacturing plant' indicates whether any allergens are present in the factory.
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Steeping Instructions
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Formed - China Black Tea
IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 100ºC/212ºF
TEA CUP 8oz (237ml) 10oz (296ml) 12oz (355ml) AMOUNT Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1.5 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" MILD 2-3 min 2-3 min 2-3 min MEDIUM 4-5 min 4-5 min 4-5 min STRONG 6-7 min 6-7 min 6-7 min TEA POT 18oz (532ml) 36oz (1064ml) 48oz (1419ml) AMOUNT Break tea to get roughly 2 heaping teaspoons of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 2 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon" MILD 2-3 min 2-3 min 2-3 min MEDIUM 4-5 min 4-5 min 4-5 min STRONG 6-7 min 6-7 min 6-7 min MILK SUGAR LEMON MINT NO NO NO NO
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.
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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):
- Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea.
- Steep for 5 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the bags.
- 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 increase
- 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):
- Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea.
- Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
- 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):
- Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend.
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags.
- Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- 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):
- Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend.
- Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- 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.