Super Fancy Formosa Oolong

Description

While tea ceremonies are usually associated with Japan, Taiwan, which has an incredibly rich tea culture in its own right, also has intricate ceremonies that are gaining more widespread attention. Possibly the most interesting and unique of these is the Wu-Wo ceremony developed by Grand Master Tsai Rong Tsang. The ceremony is heavily rooted in Buddhist philosophy - "Wu" translated means a void, absolute emptiness, while "Wo" means self - very Buddhist. The ceremony begins by inviting people over for tea, each person bringing his or her own tea with them. Everyone brews enough cups to serve all the other guests seated around the table. In this way, everyone brews and serves tea, no one leads and no one follows. In keeping with the Buddhist theme, there are seven principles that must be adhered to:

1. No special treatment is given to social ranking. 2. There are no rewards. 3. Keep your mind open. 4. Be positive and always try to improve your technique. 5. Follow the rules and never come late. 6. Cooperate with everyone present. 7. People of all religions and beliefs may participate.

So, what kind of tea would customarily be brought to such a ceremony?

Enter the Black Dragon - Super Fancy Formosa Oolong. (Oolong means Black Dragon in Chinese). The favored tea of many Taiwanese connoisseurs, oolong is immediately recognizable due to their stout, crinkled and rolled leaf style. When infused, the tea unfurls revealing full leaves with bruised, slightly reddish edges. The light liquor and palate cleansing profile make this tea the perfect companion to a relaxed afternoon appreciating the finer things in life.

So how is it made? In Taiwan, making Oolong is considered a precious art. To make one as fine as this, requires years of formal training to master. From nursing new seedlings, to planting, nourishing the bushes, and properly selecting the best time to pluck the leaves, the intricacies of Taiwanese tea husbandry are passed down from one generation to the next. The great masters believe that it is only through the transfer of carefully protected secrets that the finest specimens can be produced. Production involves rolling the fresh leaf followed by a brief fermentation period. Once the leaves have begun to turn brown, they are fired under high heat to capture the unique and highly intricate flavor profiles. It is interesting to note that a shorter firing produces teas with an almost peach-like character while a longer firing will produce a rich amber cup with bakey notes. Super Fancy Formosa Oolong undergoes a slightly longer firing than some others and subsequently produces a cup that is exceedingly smooth, somewhat toasty and long on the finish. An exceptional tea, entirely worthy of a celebration of its own.

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.