Balangoda (FP)

Description

Balangoda estate hails from one of the more beautiful corners of planet Earth. The estate is situated in the low-grown Ruhunu district and as such shares geography with the breathtaking Yala National Park. Yala National Park is an exotic animal lover's paradise. The park is comprised of wild brush, ocean beaches, jungle, rocky terrain and numerous lakes and rivers. Because of the wide variety of terrain, the park is home to animal life of all description, from leopards to Asian elephants, wild boar, crocodiles, water buffalo, Eagles, Painted Storks, Indian Peafowl and the elusive Sri Lanka Junglefowl. If it has wings or 4 legs, there's a good chance it lives somewhere inside the nearly 1000 km2 park. Owing to the region's low altitude and proximity to the ocean, it was hard hit by the 2004 Tsunami. Miraculously, none of the park's large game died, leading people to believe that the wild animals, sensing that something was wrong, fled for higher elevations.

Although the Ruhunu district is perhaps better known for its parkland than acreage under tea, the region produces some fabulous teas every bit as colorful and full of life as its wild inhabitants. In contrast to the cooler climes of the tea estates up country in Uva, Dimbula or Nuwara Eliya, the Ruhunu is hotter and more humid. As a tea-producing region, Ruhunu is closer climate-wise to Assam in North East India. As such, Ruhunu teas, like Assams, are typically thicker, stronger and more full-bodied than the famed up country teas.

Interestingly, for much of the 20th century, these teas were more popular on international markets than their high grown counterparts. This was due in part to the lower cost of producing tea at the lower altitudes and the predominance of blending Sri Lankan teas as opposed to marketing single estate teas. During the 1980s as tea producers in the high grown districts began refining and niche-marketing their single estate teas, Ruhunus fell out of favor with international buyers. Still, to this day Ruhunu's top estates are capable of producing some spectacular leaf. This Balangoda is no exception - flavory and thick, this is an amazing tea any time of day. Pairs exceptionally well with old weathered copies of National Geographic!

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.