Christmas Tea (Black Tea)

Happy Holidays! 
The snow is falling...carolers are at the door...the children are nestled snug in their beds...it must be Christmas! It’s that time of year when we hang out with family and friends, exchange gifts and eat and drink way more than we ever intended. It also just so happens to be the best time of year for enjoying a nice hot cup of spiced tea.

Spiced beverages and the holiday season go way back. Legend has it that the tradition got its start in Europe when a German wine vendor, looking to put a few extra pieces of silver in his pocket, tried to find a way to sell off his older stock before Christmas eve. Helping his wife prepare that evening’s meal, he struck upon the idea of brewing his wine with the spices she was using in the kitchen.

The next morning, before heading out to market, the wine merchant grabbed his wife’s largest cooking pot and a bag of spices and headed to market. Once he got to his stall, he started a roaring fire, filled the pot with wine and added the spice. Within minutes, the merchant next to him, a fishmonger, came over to ask him what the heavenly smell was emanating from his stall. The wine merchant ladled out two cups of the wine and the two men gave it a sip. Both found it delicious -soothing, spicy and warming. Within minutes the merchant had a lineup stretching down the street and to this day, mulled wine is available at every Christmas market in Europe.

In keeping with the old tradition, we’re proud to offer this exceptional tea blend based on an old mulled spice recipe our Master Blender picked up on his travels. We’ve blended the spice with a high grown Ceylon tea and added some jolly Christmas confetti to help keep things merry. Here’s to the holidays!

Hot tea brewing method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 portion control pack for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in 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 (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea, 6 tea bags or 6 Q3 portion packs into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 11⁄4 cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. 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 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): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 portion control pack into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional 1⁄2 serving. Sweeten and/or add lemon to taste. 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!)

Ideal Brewing Temperature: 100oC/212oF. Minimum Brewing Temperature: 90oC/194oF.

OP (Orange Pekoe)
4000 – 8500 feet above sea level
Tea : Orthodox (Traditional leafy)
The aroma of cinnamon and clove is reminiscent of an evening European Christmas markets. The cup confirms it! Mmm... Das Gute!
Bright and Coppery.
Black tea, Candy*, Cinnamon, Clove, Jasmine petals, and Natural flavors. (*Candy < 5%: Sugar, Rice flour, Vegetable oil, Corn starch, Arabic & Cellulose gum, Color R, Confectioner's glaze, Carrageenan, Soy lecithin, Red #40, Yellow #5+ #6, Blue #1 dye, Flavors)