Blue Spring Oolong

Description

In some parts of rural China, Blue Spring Oolong is known as the compassionate oolong. The name stems from an ancient legend that highlights the benevolence of Guan Yin, namesake of Ti Kuan Yin, the leaf style of Blue Spring. Guan Yin was a Bodhisattva, a Buddhist term that describes a being who has attained enlightenment (like the Buddha) but decides to return to earth to lead others and help make their lives better. According to Buddhist belief, every Bodhisattvas by their very nature is compassionate toward others, but Guan Yin, known also as the "Iron Goddess of Mercy" was thought to embody the compassion of all enlightened Buddha-like beings.

According to the ancient tale, there was an ancient village, the name of which has long been forgotten that was suffering from a great drought. For many months, not a drop of water fell from the sky. The only moisture to be had was that which could be collected from nets that had been placed on the ground to collect dew during the night. Drinking water was in incredibly short supply and to make maters worse, the local tea crop the villagers relied on for income had all but withered away to nothing. In desperation the villagers began to make offerings of what little they had to the only deity they though might be able to help, Guan Yin.

After a week or so of offerings, a stranger appeared in the village driving a heard of goats. The stranger asked the villagers if his goats might have some water as they had been walking for days. Not wanting to turn down a stranger's request, the villagers poured what little water they had collected in the nets into a pitcher and handed it to the goatherd. Accepting the water the goatherd said, "You have honored my request and shown me the compassion that I will now show you." With that the stranger removed his cloak to reveal that he was in fact a she, the Iron goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin. Guan Yin then tipped over the pitcher of water. At the spot where its contents spilled out, a miraculous spring of water began to gush out of the dry ground. The village was saved. Tea growers in the village decided that to honor the goddess, they would begin adding delicate blue mallow flower petals to their tea to represent the crystal blue water of the miraculous spring - Blue Spring Oolong was born!

We're pleased to offer this exceptional tea for the first time outside of North America. Aside from its enchanting heritage, Blue Spring Oolong is truly exceptional in the cup - layers of orchid blend with notes of minerals, wheat bread and hints of dry white wine on the finish - an exceptional tea.

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.