Tea:

Region:

Hunan, Nuwara Eliya, Assam

Grade:   

Blend of large leaf teas and herb and fruit

Manufacture Type:  

Green Tea, Orthodox

Cup Characteristics:

Flavoury with medium body and delicate exotic berry notes.

Infusion:  

Bright with touch of golden coppery color.

Information:

The health benefits of tea are well displayed in this blend. You have green and black tea (with all the associated polyphenols and antioxidants) and you have various vitamins - notably Vitamin C from the dried fruit and herbs in the blend. Perhaps one benefit that is overlooked despite the fact that it is not documented in medical journals - the relaxing and hopefully stress-free time you will have when you sit back and enjoy a cup of Abundant Berry.

The Tea Council of Canada reports in their Fall 1999 review “New research has measured the biologic activity of fresh brewed green, black, and decaffeinated tea and found that the potency of antioxidant compounds is comparable in all three types of tea. The research has demonstrated that tea consumption results in biologic antioxidant activity in people. As little as a single cup of tea increases total antioxidant activity in the blood, and the flavonoids (antioxidant compounds) in black and green tea are rapidly absorbed by the body.” Subsequent research has also indicated that more polyphenols are released into the brew when the tea is steeped longer.

Now about the blend itself: the Assam (a 2nd flush tea) component gives the blend a thickness and malty robust character; the Ceylon tea (two different flavored Ceylon teas) give the blend a subtle fruity and lively character, the Green tea gives the blend a colorful visual affect reminiscent of a berry patch and the Fruit and Herb teas component gives the blend a fresh fruit taste.

Brewing Instructions:

Hot Tea Brewing Method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Add milk and sugar to taste.

Iced Tea Brewing Method:
Iced tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 5 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or ‘milky’ when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!