Organic Lucky Dragon Hyson

Description

Hyson is perhaps one of North America's most literary teas. Literary? Yes, literary. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Hyson was one of the most popular teas on the market, prized for its warm character, bright cup and overall sunny disposition. As well as gracing the tables and tea sets of those who had an appreciation for the finer things the East had to offer, Hyson inspired the work of many poets and writers of the period. Nowhere was this truer than in Boston. Unfortunately for merchants of the great city, tea's place in the great literary tradition of the time wasn't always a good thing. Following the Boston Tea Party of 1773 for example a Boston poet penned the following:

Throw aside your Green Hyson Tea,
And all things with a new fashioned duty.

Revolutionary poems, like the one this excerpt is taken from, helped remind people to wean themselves off the tantalizing beverage. These poems appeared on handbills and posters that were distributed throughout the city to great effect. Still, although Hyson consumption did decrease as a result of the anti-tea campaign it remained a popular beverage in some circles, particularly literary ones. As the war ended and society moved into the 19th century, Hyson again began to inspire Boston's poets, this time in a more positive way. In 1847, Ralph Waldo Emerson noted the tea's rare scent in his famous poem Xenophanes:

By fate, not option, frugal Nature gave
One scent to Hyson and to wall-flower.

It is no surprise that Emerson chose to write about Hyson's fabulous aroma. Typically bright on the nose its scent hints at spring, the season in which it is produced. In the cup the tea is equally bright, round and full bodied with a touch of grassiness. We're pleased to offer this Organic Lucky Dragon as a tribute to Hyson's literary past. With its fine full leaf, intricate cup and heavenly aroma, it has the power to inspire the poet in all of us. Brew a pot, pull out a pen, and let your mind wander!

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Green Tea

IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 85ºC/185ºF. For Food Safety reasons bring water to 100ºC/212ºF and let it cool down to 85ºC/185ºF.

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.