Blue Sapphire

Description

While the most famous sapphire in the world is the massive, 422.99 carat Logan Sapphire housed in the National Museum of History in Washington D.C., it certainly isn't the oldest. In some remote corners of Africa legend gives that distinction to the stone set in the Ephod, or sacred garment, of the ancient Israelite tribe of Issachar. This stone is mentioned in the Book of Exodus as the sapir, believed by some to be the root word of the English word sapphire (although this is disputed by linguists). As the old tales tell it, this stone went missing from the tribe during the flight from Egypt, perhaps during the parting of the Red Sea. It was then smuggled out of Egypt and carried from one town to the next, traversing jungles and deserts until finally finding a resting place somewhere in the lush hills of Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Unfortunately for local treasure hunters, the exact whereabouts of the ancient stone, rumored to rival the Logan in terms of beauty, has never been found. Some say it is protected by leopards, others say by bolts of lightning that strike the ground whenever anyone comes near. Either way, the great Sapphire has never surfaced.

A visit to the Rift Valley would have you believing the lightening theory. Because of the unique weather conditions, the region is peppered by strikes on a regular basis. In fact, the name of one of Kenya's most important tea growing regions, Tinderet, translates into English as The Place of Lightening. Tinderet also happens to be home to some of the finest teas in Africa. (Coincidence?) In homage to the legend of the ancient stone, we offer a tea worthy of carrying the Sapphire moniker. This orthodox production TGFOP is a shimmering example of the quality teas being produced on Kenya's top estates. The liquor is bright and clean tending amber. The cup, second to none, exhibits a round, lightly malted body with sweet touches of astringency and bakey notes of jammy toast. As a means of representing the deep blue color of the Sapphire, we've added cornflower petals to the perfectly graded leaf for visual appeal and an added neutral, mellow, character.

What makes this tea even more superb is the fact that it was grown and produced under certification of the ETP, (Ethical Tea Partnership) and Fair Trade. (More on these organizations below.) Brew a pot and dream of the hidden riches of the past.

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.