Rasta Raspberry (Green Tea)

(Green Tea with natural flavors)

Ingredients From: China
Region: Hunan Province
Shipping Port: Shanghai
Grade: Sencha – Made to Japanese specifications
Altitude: 1500 - 4500 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Traditional Pan Fired Green Tea
Cup Characteristics: Ooh-la-la refreshing raspberry with smooth green tea notes.
Infusion: Bright pale green to yellow, light colored cup.
Luxury Ingredients: Green tea, Raspberry pieces, and Natural flavors.

Information: Raspberries have been enjoyed as a delicacy in Bohemia, a region of the Czech Republic, since at least the 900s. One need only drive a little way outside of Prague to find wild bushes lining many of the roadsides that wind their way through the countryside.  These sweet little berries were purportedly the favorite of Boleslav I, the first King of Bohemia. Unfortunately, old King Boleslav, also known as Boleslav the Cruel, murdered his own brother St. Wenceslas.  The murder allowed Boleslav to take the throne and was committed at a family feast – some family!  Given the kings fondness for raspberries, there is no doubt that along with murder, the fruit was also served.  It is too bad Rasta Raspberry green tea wasn’t also available - it may have relaxed the man a little.  This blend, with its mellow grassy undertones and sweet raspberry notes, is one of our most soothing greens yet.

Rasta Raspberry is based on a Sencha style green tea manufactured in Hunan Province, South Eastern China. Sencha, a Japanese style green tea, is produced by skipping the fermentation process required to produce black tea.  Interestingly, both green and black teas can be produced from the same bushes.  In green manufacture, the freshly plucked leaves are steamed or heated (to kill the enzymes that cause fermentation) immediately and then bruised either by machine or hand.  Next the leaf is pan-fried or basket fired - a process that gives the tea its distinctive glossy looks and feels. Senchas typically have dark green, needle shaped leaves and produce a pale green to yellow, very bright and smooth cup with a sweetish, honey like finish.  Infuse a pot today, inhale the sweet aromas and raise a toast to Boleslav the Cruel.  On second thought, make that St. Wenceslas.

Hot tea brewing method:  

Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180°F/82°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup let the tea steep for about 3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be plucked.

Modern 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 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 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Adding milk or sugar is not recommended.

Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that green tea be brewed at 180°F/82°C. Regretfully, modern society makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the desired brewing temperature – it’s the food safe thing to do! 

Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher):  (to make 1 liter/quart):  Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea, 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 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. 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 single serve packet 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 ½ serving. 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!

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT:

More antioxidants are extracted from tea (L. Camellia Sinesis), or rooibos (Asphalatus Linearis), the longer it is brewed….and the more tea or rooibos that is used, the greater the antioxidant benefit.

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY:

While green tea is traditionally brewed using 180°F/82°C water, 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.