Assam Hunwal (GBOP)

Description

Throughout India, spirituality is given great prominence in day-to-day life. Priests and monks can be found everywhere, the ubiquitous cows, sacred to Hinduism are found throughout the country and religious blessings are bestowed on everything from new homes to new businesses. In the tea fields of Assam it is no different. One of the more interesting examples of this is the ceremony known as puja, the blessing of new tea plants.

Whenever a new plot of tea is planted, prayer offerings are given in reverence to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and namesake of the Brahmaputra River that bisects the province. (Brahmaputra literally means son of Brahma.) The river is highly regarded by the Assamese and is responsible for the perfect climactic and soil conditions for growing tea. As such, prayers are given to ask for good rooting, a continued crop and high yield.

The ceremony centers around seven lucky plants that are carried in round baskets to the new plot by the tea pluckers. Before the lucky seven plants are placed in the earth, one lone tea plant is placed near the entrance to the plot. Surrounding this lone plant are laid five betel leaves. (Betel is a leaf plant that is commonly chewed like tobacco.) Chickpeas and a selection of syrupy sweets are piled on top of the leaf and a stick of incense placed beside it. While the incense burns and prayers are offered, holes are dug for the seven tea plants. The new plants are then planted in the holes and the chickpeas and sweets are passed around to all in attendance - everyone from the Estate Manager to the children of the tea pluckers. As the plants are tamped into the earth, the crowd applauds, praising Brahma's name.

One can imagine many of such puja ceremonies taking place at Hunwal Estate during its more than 100 years of history. It must be so, for Hunwal's consistently excellent product can attest to the power of prayer. This orthodox style GBOP is one of the finer examples of the Estate's output. The leaf is well graded and nicely twisted offering a bright liquor with deep notes of malt and layers of astringency. The rich flavorful cup is excellent with a dash of milk and is the perfect companion to a traditional English breakfast. Raise cup to Brahma today.

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.