Safflower Petals

Description

Safflower, (Latin: Carthamus tinctorius), is known to be one of the world's oldest cultivated crops. From just about the beginning of time, our ancestors throughout the ancient world found countless uses for the brightly colored flower, its petals, stalk and seeds. The origin of the plant has never been unequivocally defined, but some herbalists place it in the basin of the Euphrates River in ancient Mesopotamia This origin does seem to fit since it lies roughly halfway between ancient Egypt and ancient China - two countries where Safflowers turned up thousands of years ago. Trade routes from the Euphrates to both of these ancient civilizations may help explain the appearance of the flowers in two different places at roughly the same time. If not, well it sounds plausible anyway. Whatever the case may be, both the Egyptians and the Chinese were highly enamored with the plant.

In ancient Egypt, Safflowers were considered precious enough to be made into dyes for the ornamental gowns of the Pharaohs. Their petals were also tied into celebratory garlands, some of which were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, and are thought to have been used for cooking as well.
In ancient China, Safflowers held an important place in Chinese medicine. They were given to patients to ease sore joints, cleanse wounds and interestingly, treat the measles. Chinese Doctors also believed that Safflower tea could induce heavy sweating, and as such prescribed it as a remedy against the common cold. This, interestingly, brings us very abruptly to the 19th century in North America. Anecdotal evidence in the new world suggests that, like the Chinese, early Americans believed Safflower could be used to treat measles and induce sweating to fight off a cold.
Is there something to it? Who knows? (We're a tea company, no certified herbalists!) We do know that Safflowers make a colorful addition to custom blended teas and herbal teas. We also know they make a delicately flavored cup when brewed hot on their own. That said, if you do break out into a sweat, don't say we didn't warn you!

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Herbal 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.