Large Green Tea Brick
Mild green tea character. Lightly vegetative with a smooth finish.
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Information
INGREDIENTS: Green tea
INGREDIENTS FROM: China
REGION(S): Hubei Province
GROWING ALTITUDES: 2000 - 4000 feet above sea level
GRADE(S): Compressed OP (Orange Pekoe)
MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): Compressed tea - Silk Road traditional style
ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: Low
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low
KOSHER: Yes
VEGETARIAN: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
ARTISANAL NOTES: Small batch packed in Canada
INFUSION: Tending dull
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Description
These days a shipment of tea from a warehouse in Shanghai can reach Tibet's capital of Lhasa in a matter of days. Thanks to the recently constructed railway to "the rooftop of the world", a tea merchant can now accompany his shipment on the long journey in heated and pressurized comfort. Pressurized of course because the train hurdles along at elevations as high 16,640 feet above sea level. (You read that correctly.) Now, people in Tibet have been drinking tea for many, many centuries - stories of hot yak butter tea are legendary. But how did the tea get there prior to the construction of the great iron road in the sky? If you answered "by truck", very clever, but we're talking even further back. If you answered, "by pony", again very clever but many parts of the journey weren't accessible by pony. The correct answer is that tea, pressed into the form of bricks for ease of transport, was hauled up to the mountain kingdom on foot. And just how impressive a feat was that? An examination of the new rail line will help put it in perspective.
For its entire length, the new railroad sits at over 13,100 feet high. The highest station, in the town of Nagqu, is situated at 14,764 feet. Almost half the route travels across permafrost. As mentioned, the cabins of the train are pressurized to compensate for the lack of oxygen at these altitudes. The threat of altitude sickness is so real that at all times, doctors are present on board to treat passengers who succumb. Talk about goin' up the rails on a crazy train. Now, imagine yourself carrying 300 lbs worth of tea bricks on your back and covering approximately 6 miles per day walking along the tracks.
Without exaggeration, that is how tea bricks once made their way to Tibet. The only saving grace was that merchants packed the tea into large packs with a built in tri-pod that allowed them to rest the towering loads up against a wall - that, and the magnificent views. The journey took weeks, sometimes months depending on weather. You can see why for centuries tea bricks were used as currency - with each step their value literally raised with the altitude. Subsequently, wasting tea was considered something of a sacrilege in ancient Tibet. (We'd like to think wasting tea still is - anywhere!)
Beyond their historical method of transport, green tea bricks were something of a novelty when they first appeared. Traditionally, tea bricks were made using fermented, or black, tea. And while many people elect to display them as a novelty art piece, they also make a wonderful cup of tea. Either way, we offer them in honor of the many men who crossed mountains in their name. Hint: Tea bricks make an excellent sales piece. Customers can't help but ask about them!
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Allergen Declaration
Allergens controlled by robust HACCP and GMP manufacturing protocols.
SCROLL SIDEWAYS OR USE SLIDER AT THE BOTTOM TO VIEW FULL CHARTPRODUCT NAME: Large Green Tea Brick
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Formed - Green Tea
KNOWN OR CLAIMED SOURCES OF FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES
Present in the product
Present in the same manufacturing factory
Tree Nuts and Derivatives of Tree Nuts
No
Yes
Almonds
No
Yes
Brazil Nuts
No
No
Cashews
No
No
Chestnuts
No
No
Coconut
No
Yes
Hazelnut
No
No
Hickory
No
No
Macadamia
No
No
Pecan
No
No
Pine
No
No
Pistachio
No
No
Walnut
No
Yes
Peanuts and Derivatives of Peanuts
No
No
Peanuts
No
No
Peanut Oil
No
No
Sesame Seeds and Derivatives of Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Seeds
No
No
Sesame Oil, refined
No
No
Wheat and Derivatives of Wheat
No
Yes
Wheat Starch Hydrolysates
No
Yes
Egg and Derivatives of Eggs
No
No
Milk, Dairy and Derivatives of Dairy
No
No
Soybeans and Derivatives of Soybeans
No
Yes
Soy Oil/Soybean Oil
No
No
Soy Lecithin
No
Yes
Crustaceans and Derivatives of Crustaceans
No
No
Abalone
No
No
Clam
No
No
Crab
No
No
Crayfish
No
No
Cuttlefish
No
No
King Prawn
No
No
Krill
No
No
Lobster
No
No
Mussels
No
No
Oysters
No
No
Scallop
No
No
Shrimp
No
No
Snail
No
No
Squid
No
No
Fish and Derivatives of Fish
No
No
Anchovies
No
No
Bonito
No
No
Coal Fish
No
No
Mackerel
No
No
Perch/Tilapia
No
No
Salmon
No
No
Cod
No
No
Tuna
No
No
White Fish
No
No
Fish, unspecified
No
No
Mustard and Derivatives of Mustard
No
No
Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites at concentrations of more than 10mg/kg expressed as S02
No
Yes
Gluten and Derivatives of Gluten
No
Yes
Gluten from Barley
No
No
Gluten from Kamut
No
No
Gluten from Oat
No
No
Gluten from Rye
No
No
Gluten from Spelt
No
No
Gluten from Triticale
No
No
Gluten from Wheat
No
Yes
Celery and Products thereof
No
No
Lupin and Products thereof
No
No
Column 'Present in the product' indicates the allergens that may be found in the product, from addition or cross contamination. Column 'Present in the same manufacturing plant' indicates whether any allergens are present in the factory.
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Steeping Instructions
PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Formed - Green Tea
IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 100ºC/212ºF
TEA CUP 8oz (237ml) 10oz (296ml) 12oz (355ml) AMOUNT Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1.5 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" MILD 2-3 min 2-3 min 2-3 min MEDIUM 4-5 min 4-5 min 4-5 min STRONG 6-7 min 6-7 min 6-7 min TEA POT 18oz (532ml) 36oz (1064ml) 48oz (1419ml) AMOUNT Break tea to get roughly 2 heaping teaspoons of "The Perfect Measure Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 1 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon" Break tea to get roughly 2 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon" MILD 2-3 min 2-3 min 2-3 min MEDIUM 4-5 min 4-5 min 4-5 min STRONG 6-7 min 6-7 min 6-7 min MILK SUGAR LEMON MINT NO NO NO NO
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.
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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):
- Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea.
- Steep for 5 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- 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 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):
- Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea.
- Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
- 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):
- Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend.
- Steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water.
- Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags.
- Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- 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):
- Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend or 1 tea bag into a teapot for each serving required.
- Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend.
- Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags.
- Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
- 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.