Bella Coola (Herb and Fruit Tea)

(Caffeine Free Herb and Fruit Tea)

Country of Origin: Canada / USA / Thailand / Spain
Region: Ontario / California / Sing Buri / Seville
Cup Characteristics: A predominant orange character with the lovely sweetness of pineapple.
Infusion: Tending pinkish
Luxury Ingredients: Apple & Rosehip & Orange pieces, Hibiscus petals, and Natural flavors.

Information: Herb and fruit tea in some circles is considered a new type of tea. We formulated this blend to accommodate tastes of people who wanted to experience a refreshing healthy new style drink without caffeine. What we got was a terrific ‘tea’ that is unbelievably delicious and enjoyed Hot or Cold!  This tea has a very exotic flavor profile. The delicious blend of orange and pineapple flavors combined with the natural flavors and tartness of the various dried fruits create a summertime cooler or a wintertime summer reminder. 

On the west coast of Canada in the province of British Columbia, there is a small Haida village at the end of a long fiord called Bella Coola. The water is crystal clear, the mountains rise to the sky from the water’s edge, fishing boats head west towards the Pacific Ocean and bald eagles soar overhead screaming at those that dare to disrupt the tranquility. One bright cloudless day sitting at the town wharf contemplating life looking at the beauty and eating an orange Popsicle I realized that this was probably the tastiest Popsicle I had ever had in my life. The taste of Bella Coola is exactly like that Popsicle - the best herbal tea you will ever taste.

For a summer time drink Bella Coola iced is hard to beat. It is refreshing and thirst quenching and not overly sweet. For formal times garnish the glass with a strawberry and a sprig of mint - for non-formal times pour it into your glass and enjoy it gulp after gulp! If you have small children use the Bella Coola tea to make popsicles - they taste great and contain very little sugar.

By virtue of the fact that these blends do not contain any tea and are a special blend of fruits and herbs - they are caffeine free! An additional benefit is that these ‘teas’ contain Vitamin C. What could be better - a healthy drink that tastes GREAT!

Hot tea brewing method:  Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 2 teaspoons of herb & fruit blend, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time, the better the flavor as more fruit and herb flavor is extracted). Garnish and sweeten to taste

Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher):  (to make 1 liter/quart):  Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend,  6 tea bags or 6 Q3 single serve packets into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend. Steep for 5-10 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 herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot brew since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.                                          

Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving):  Place 2 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170200ml per serving over the herb & fruit blend. Cover and let steep for 5-10 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 ½ serving. Garnish and sweeten to taste. 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. 

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.

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