Jasmine Silver Balls

Description

The legend behind the creation of Jasmine Silver Balls is one of China's most romantic tales. One night, as we sipped our tea in the open air and gazed up at the stars, the wife of a tea grower told us the old story. It was early spring so the night sky was incredibly clear. She pointed toward two stars in particular and began.

The first she pointed to was the brightest star in what Westerners call the Aquila constellation, known in China as the Cowherd. Next, we followed her finger across the Milky Way, in China the Silver River, until our eyes rested on a star known as the Weaving Maid. Before recorded time, the Weaving Maid was the seventh daughter of the mythical Jade Emperor. One day, the maid caught the eye of a passing cowherd and fell in love. The cowherd began visiting the maid as often as his duties permitted him and when he did the maid would put down her weaving and devote herself to his love. Over time, the love between the two saw them forsake their work all together. The Jade Emperor became angry that they should shirk their duties and decided to punish them in the form of banishment to opposite sides of the Silver River. The cowherd and the maid were devastated. In order to soften the blow the Emperor made one allowance. Every year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, (Aug. 2) he would permit them to meet on a bridge over the River to hold each other for just one night.

The wife of the tea grower explained that the legend came from the fact that on that night, these two stars do in fact come together high up in the heavens. She further explained that in homage to the two, Jasmine Silver Balls were created to represent the flowing stars of the Silver River that separated them, the Milky Way.

It was quite a story. But then again, this is quite a tea. Each ball is made with spring production green leaf, only available for a few weeks per year, scented with fresh Jasmine. The long silvery leaves are carefully hand-tied in an intricate pattern that unfurls into a chrysanthemum like shape when infused. The resulting cup is at once light and profound with sweet notes of jasmine and wisps of fresh honey. Without question a tea your customers will fall in love with..

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Artisan Blooming 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.