Organic Lapsang Souchong

Description

In life there are many things we tend to love or hate, things for which a middling position is impossible. Consider: Liver and onions. Heavy Metal Music. Getting caught in the rain. You either love 'em or you hate 'em. Well now you can add a tea to the list - Lapsang Souchong. Variously compared to a burning campfire or ashtray, the flavor of Lapsang Souchong is to the uninitiated, quite an intense flavor to behold. However, to those who know, the smoky cup of a high quality Fujian Lapsang is second to none, mysteriously miraculous, a feast for the taste buds, truly one of those unique items for which there is no middle ground of appreciation.

So how is this miraculous tea produced and who conceived of it in the first place? Well, there is only one way to produce it. Souchong leaves, noted for their thick, rough appearance are withered over burning pine bows, placed in barrels covered with cloth and allowed to ferment. A process which has gone virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. And who came up with the idea? Like many developments in the world of tea there is more than one story. One story maintains that during the Qing Dynasty an army unit passing through a small village decided to camp in a tea factory. Once they were gone, the workers realized that the only way to get the tea ready for the next day's market was to dry it over a fire. They did exactly that and voila, Lapsang Souchong was born. Story number two describes a situation aboard an English Tea Clipper in route from China. In this story, waves broke over the deck during a storm and soaked a shipment of Fujian tea. The sailors, recognizing this to be very bad for business decided to dry the tea in large pans set over a campfire. Et voila, Lapsang Souchong was born again. So, take your pick. Which story do you like?

May we suggest you mull it over a nice hot cup of tea? Inhale the rich smoky aroma and absorb the mystery of its origins. Next take a sip and note how the smoky sensation fills your mouth in a way no other tea possibly could. Can you tell which side of the love/hate relationship we fall on? It is important to steep Lapsang for slightly less time than you would other teas. Even for a true connoisseur the flavor of an over-steeped Lapsang can be slightly overwhelming. The flavor may also be enhanced with a touch of milk and sugar. In conclusion, we are pleased to offer you this superb tea, especially so considering its organic status. Unlike many inferior Lapsangs that may be grown and flavored with chemicals, this tea is 100% natural. So brew a pot today, and get with the love.

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.