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Organic Russian Caravan

Original price $10.02 - Original price $46.08
Original price $10.02
$9.10
$9.10 - $41.89
Current price $9.10

Memories of camel trains across the desert. Full flavored with distinct notes of pine and hickory smoke.

  • Information

    INGREDIENTS: Black tea* *Organic Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems (Organic Equivalency with COR, NOP, EU, JAS)
    INGREDIENTS FROM: India / China
    REGION(S): Assam + Nilgiri / Fujian
    GROWING ALTITUDES: 500 - 6500 feet above sea level
    GRADE(S): OP (Orange Pekoe)
    MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): Orthodox (Traditional leafy)
    ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: High
    CAFFEINE LEVEL: Medium
    KOSHER: Yes
    VEGETARIAN: Yes
    VEGAN: Yes
    ARTISANAL NOTES: Small batch blended and packed in Canada
    INFUSION: Bright cup with hints of coppery orange


  • Description

    Presenting a tea that owes as much to politics and diplomacy as it does tea husbandry. The existence of Russian Caravan, a smoky blend of black teas, (traditionally comprised only of Chinese teas, in ours a blend of Chinese and Indian) is the direct result of a 1689 treaty between Qing Dynasty China and Russia. The treaty brought an end to decades of border conflict between Russian Cossacks and the Manchu people of Northern China. As part of the treaty, Russia agreed to give up its expansionist push eastward to the Sea of Japan, but gained direct trading access to Beijing. The treaty forever changed the way business was done between the two countries and produced a famous tea blend in the process.

    The trail from the Chinese border to Russia covered more than 6000 km, (3728 miles) through harsh and unforgiving mountain passes, deserts and rivers. Caravans comprised of horses, camels, mules and men took more than a year and a half to complete the journey with many men and beasts perishing along the way. Even so, the route was a popular and lucrative one - in 1696 alone more than 50,000 rubles worth of furs made the voyage, a fortune in today's dollars. In addition to furs, one of the most important commodities on the trail was Chinese tea, imported to fulfill Russia's growing demand. As can be imagined, the tea took quite a beating on the grueling trip and often had an entirely different character by the time it was unloaded in Moscow. One of the most notable was the rich flavor of smoke, absorbed from a year and a half of campfires along the caravan trail.
    Russians grew to love the smoky tea and dubbed it caravan tea. Eventually, with the advent of rail travel, the old trading routes died out and with them, the naturally smoked tea. To compensate, tea blenders began to create blends of Lapsang and other black teas to fill the void. Our Organic Russian Caravan tea is a stunning example of the finest of these recipes. The heady mixture of Lapsang, Assam and South Indian teas offers an assertive cup with smoky depth rounded by thick notes of malt and a long finish. To diplomacy!


  • Allergen Declaration

    Allergens controlled by robust HACCP and GMP manufacturing protocols.
    SCROLL SIDEWAYS OR USE SLIDER AT THE BOTTOM TO VIEW FULL CHART

    PRODUCT NAME: Organic Russian Caravan

    PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Organic - Specialty 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.

  • Steeping Instructions


    PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Black Tea

    IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE: 100ºC/212ºF

    TEA CUP

    8oz (237ml)

    10oz (296ml)

    12oz (355ml)

    AMOUNT

    1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"

    1 heaping teaspoon of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"

    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

    2 heaping teaspoons of "The Perfect Measure Spoon"

    1 heaping teaspoon of "Pot of Perfect Tea Spoon"

    2 heaping teaspoons 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

    OK

    OK

    OK

    OK

    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.
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