Monk's Blend White

Description

Thinking of becoming a monk but not sure if you're cut out for the lifestyle of a hermit? Well, thanks to Saint Pachomius (AD. 292-348), you don't have to live alone. How so? The Saint, also known as Abba Pachomius was the first person to establish a monastery where monks could live together communally. His story is an amazing one. Born and raised in Thebes a city in ancient Egypt, Pachomius was picked up in a sweep for new recruits by the Roman army when he was about 20. He was held captive by the marauding army but was visited daily by some Christians who brought him food and water. Touched by their generosity, Pachomius, who was born a pagan, decided that when he was released he would become a Christian. Miraculously, he was freed without ever seeing combat. True to his word, he sought out a nearby Christian hermit and studied with him for some time. Deciding that the solitary life was not for him, Pachomius established his first monastery in Egypt sometime between AD. 318 and 323. Word about this new lifestyle spread and soon monasteries were sprouting up throughout the country. In fact, within one generation of his death it is estimated that there were upwards of 7000 monasteries in Egypt.

Over the ensuing centuries, Christian monasticism spread throughout the world, most notably in Europe. (And here's where all of this begins to relate to tea.) Confined as they were to their monasteries, many European monks began experimenting with herbs, spices, fruit, and just about anything else they could grow. While most of these experiments resulted in beer, (especially in Belgium,) in some cases the unique combinations of flavors and ingredients developed into healthy and delicious elixirs. One of the more compelling of these was the mixture of grenadine and vanilla, a flavor combo we've grown enamored with and have come to call Monk's blend in honor of the monastic traditions. In this variation of this wonderful tea we've added our all-natural flavoring to a superb white Pai mu tan from Fujian province in China. The resulting cup exhibits a full body drawn out with underlying notes of vanilla hinting at cream and round touches of pomegranate. Brew a pot today, savor the delicate aromas and thank Saint Pachomius you don't have to do it alone!

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - White 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.