Moroccan Madness

Description

In The Ballad of East and West, Rudyard Kipling wrote, "East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet". Perhaps Kipling never visited the kingdom of Morocco. Before European discovery of the Americas, Morocco was considered by many to be at the crossroads of the world. Situated just below Spain a short hop across the Straight of Gibraltar, Morocco was for hundreds of years an important link between East and West in terms of both commerce and culture. While it's prominence as a trading mecca has diminished somewhat over the last hundred years or so, King Hassan II, Morocco's reigning Monarch still likens his country to a desert palm tree: "rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe." We couldn't have said it better if we tried. There is perhaps no Moroccan tradition that illustrates this constitution better than the brewing and serving of good strong Moroccan Mint tea.

It is believed that it was Europeans, specifically the English that introduced Moroccans to tea. Although no one is certain, the first shipments of tea to the country probably arrived via British interests in China. The beverage was an instant hit with the Muslim populace who already had a custom of drinking a hot beverage made of locally grown mint leaves. The British tea fit right into their lifestyle. Before long, it was discovered that when the tea was added to the mint beverage, which was heavy and harsh, the cup smoothed out and became much more palatable. And so East met West in a most satisfying way.
We're pleased to offer the next best thing to a trip to a Marrakech tea stall, Moroccan Madness tea. Moroccans say that tea should be bitter as death, sweet as life and as mellow as love. With our blend of Sri Lankan and Indian teas and Washington state mint, (some of the finest mint in the world), we've believe we've captured that in this cup. Taste the flavors of worlds colliding!

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.