Jasmine Orchard Oolong

Description

Prepare your taste buds for something special. Oolong tea, as exceptional as it is on its own, is sublime when blended with scented flowers, fruits and herbs. Jasmine Orchard Oolong combines the fresh spring tea-taste of oolong with the ethereal sweetness of green tea with jasmine petals, jasmine buds and a multitude of fruits from the orchards of the world. What makes this combination so special? Let's take a look.

The first component of the blend is of course Oolong tea. For those of you not familiar with this variety, what sets it apart from black and green teas is in the fermentation process. Oolong is said to be semi-fermented, unlike green, which is unfermented and black, which is fully fermented. The process is something like leaving a banana out on a counter - green tea could be compared to a yellow banana, black tea to a blackened, over-ripe banana and oolong somewhere in the middle. As a result, Oolong shares some flavor characteristics of both - they are typically lightly green and floral on the nose with touches of orchid in the cup.

The next component of the blend is a green tea with jasmine petals and jasmine buds. Jasmine, in addition to imparting its luscious floral aroma, infuses the blend with exceptional depth and rich character. (It's no wonder the jasmine flower is so closely aligned with feelings of love throughout much of the Eastern world.)

Next we've added a medley of orchard fruits - dried peach, strawberry, apple and mango. Each of these on their own is great, bursting with juicy flavor. Together they're sensational. (Incidentally, fruit orchards are common to nearly every civilization on earth - both contemporary and ancient.)

Finally we've added safflower petals to brighten the blend and add a soft herbaceous layer. (Interestingly, safflower is one of the world's oldest crops. In many parts of the world its petals are used to dye fabric. Chemical analysis of textiles dated to the 12th dynasty of Ancient Egypt, 1991 - 1802 BC, has identified the use of safflower dyes.)

Put it all together you're left with a cup you'll never forget.

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Flavored Oolong 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.