Organic Ceylon

Description

Luxury Organic Ingredients: Black tea
Ingredients From: Sri Lanka
Region: Nuwara Eliya Dimbula Uva
Shipping Port: Colombo
Grade: Pekoe
Attitude: 4000 – 8500 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox (Traditional leafy)
Infusion: Bright tending yellow
Antioxidant / Caffeine Level: High / Medium

Koslande is one of the estates that we use in this Ceylon organic tea. In Sri Lanka terms it is a medium sized tea estate covering 160 hectares (406 acres). It is situated in the Haputale Mountain Range in the region of Uva. Uva and Nuwara Eliya are Sri Lanka’s highest elevation tea growing regions and are world renown for some of the finest teas in the world – especially when they are at their seasonal best (in Koslande’s case this is August).

The total annual crop (all leaf grades) is only 100 Tonnes of tea (this is enough to make about 4,000,000 cups of tea). The estate is covered by 3 different organic certifying bodies – IMO of Switzerland, Organic Farmers and Growers of the UK and Nat. Assoc. of Sustainable Agriculture of Australia.

In addition to being organic certified, Koslande is also a member of the Fair Trade Organization and has been a member since 1996. As of 2004 the Fair Trade organization has re-invested USD $15,500.00 into projects that directly benefit the workers. Some of the initiatives are: Providing 20 Propane stoves and 20 sewing machines to workers. The propane stoves had an immediate benefit to the 20 families which received these ‘cookers’ in that they did not have to go out and search for firewood. The sewing machines were part of a program to encourage the workers to earn additional income. During August of 2004 another 60 sewing machines are to be distributed to another 60 workers. Other projects that are being planned: New Latrines for 85 families, new roofs for 42 workers homes and upgrading two day care centers

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 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). 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 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. 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 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. 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!)

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.

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