Description
Ingredients: White tea.
Ingredients from: Kenya (Kericho region)
Growing Altitude: 5500 – 6500 feet above sea level
Grade: Crested Crane Extra Special
Manufacture Type: Non fermented, Orthodox, Naturally withered and dried, Small batch crafted, Hand sorted
Antioxidant Level: High
Caffeine Level: Low
Infusion: Amber with golden green highlights
Have you ever seen a crane dance? Likely not, unless you’ve been to the savannahs of Kenya, home of the famed Grey Crowned Crane. The Grey Crowned Crane, as the name might imply, is a singularly majestic bird. Standing roughly 1m/3.3 ft tall and weighing in at around 3.5kg/7.7lbs, the bird is covered in a grayish plumage with white wings speckled with small feathers in a vibrant range of colors. Atop its head sites a crown of stiff golden feathers floating about a face of white with a bright red, inflatable pouch on its throat – spectacular.
Now, we mentioned that this bird likes to dance. Unlike many other bird species, both male and female Grey Crowned Cranes of all ages participate. During the dance, the cranes pump their heads, bow to one another, run, jump, toss grass and sticks and flap their wings. For any of you who have been to Kenya to witness the event, you’ll know that it’s quite a spectacle. While no one is completely certain why the cranes do it, ornithologists believe that dancing may help to thwart tension, relieve aggression and strengthen the bonds between mates. (Interestingly, it is for exactly these reasons that one might wish to brew a pot of Crested Crane Pai Mu Tan.)
Developed by innovative tea makers in the highlands west of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, Crested Crane is an exquisite Pai Mu Tan style tea that pays great homage to its namesake. The tea is produced by plucking leaves on rain-free days, taking care to avoid any purple buds, partially opened leaves, insect damaged leaves, wind damaged leaves or stems that are either too long or too short. Once plucked, the leaves are gently withered until they are slightly green in color – and that’s that. A fabulous tea from the Tuscany of Tea, Kenya. (And.worthy of a little dance of its own.)
HOT BREWING METHOD: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea 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).
ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher): (To Make 1 Liter/Quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea or 6 tea bags 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 leaves 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 or 1 tea bag 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 leaves or removing the tea 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!)
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.
ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT: For a greater antioxidant benefit brew longer and use more tea
Ideal Brewing Temperature: 85ºC/185ºF. For Food Safety reasons bring water to 100ºC/212ºF and let it cool down to 85ºC/185ºF.
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