Shangrila Iced Oolong

Description

Trudging through the Tibetan Plateau on the elusive search for Ice Oolong our Tea Master learned that the best Ice Oolong actually was grown in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian. In an Indiana Jones moment he jumped on the next plane for a flight to Foochow where he was met by a guide familiar with the backcountry of Northern Fujian near to Jiangxi province. The track wound its way along the craggy steep back of the mountain range. In many places he was forced to get out of the jeep walking in front and giving the driver foot by foot directions to avoid the precipices on each side The Jeep ride was long and bumpy, steep cliffs on each side - particularly when the dirt track climbed above the 3500 foot level. The air was crisp and frost was predicted. The estate manager was Mr Wang Tsang. in the village of Huang Bei. There was a night of toasts to respective government leaders, friends relatives and friendship. Around 4 am there was a cacophony of noise as Mr Tsang rousted the sleepy tea pickers out of bed - there had been a heavy frost and the buds had become frozen - there was no time to lose. By 8 am the sun had risen and the frost was gone but not before this incredibly fine oolong had been plucked. The whole next day the bright green leaves were massaged into perfect shape capturing the unique floral and sweet character of the once frozen buds. Mission accomplished and time for another night of celebration. Despite the fact that there was a heavy frost that night once again our Tea master needed to return home - but satisfied that he had found and made a life long friend and supply partner of Ice Oolong.

Information about this area
- In the Wuyi Mountains of Northern Fujian in an area the locals called Leaping Tiger Forest (for reasons one can only imagine)
- the Mountains in this region soar to 7100 feet above sea level dominated by Mount Huang Gang
- on the return trip down the mountain the jeep nearly slipped off the road hitting a patch of ice in the shadow of on of the mountains

Steeping Instructions

PRODUCT TYPE: Loose - Flavored Oolong 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.