Decaf Earl Grey

Description

Ingredients from: Sri Lanka / Albania
Region(s): Dimbula / Tirana
Grade(s): FP (Flowery Pekoe)
Growing Altitudes: 4000 – 5900 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type(s): Orthodox (Traditional leafy)
Cup Characteristics: A full flavoury cup of tea tending bright with excellent Earl Grey notes from natural oil of bergamot.
Infusion: Tending bright and coppery.
Luxury Ingredients: Decaf Black tea, Cornflower petals, Natural Organic Compliant flavors
Caffeine Content: Removed naturally using CO2

All of our decafs are processed using the Co2 Process. The advantage of this decaffeination process is that no chemical solvents are used to remove the caffeine. Also, using the naturally occurring Co2 in a circulation process which carefully uses high pressure and temperature to extract the caffeine, the origin distinct character of the tea is retained in the cup. There is a slight change in the character of the tea due to the process but the end result is an uncompromising cup of tea with no chemical overtones.

We use high grown Ceylon tea as the base for decaf tea for several reasons: High grown Ceylon gives us the character we are looking for – a flavoury and satisfying tea. The high grown estates are visited by us on a yearly basis to confirm that they undertake proper manufacturing techniques, keep plucking standards high, and reinvest in the estate and its personnel. Most importantly, high grown Ceylons retain their character under Co2 decaffeination processes much better than other teas we have tested.

Typically quality of the tea is judged by hundreds of the tea tasters around the world. On a weekly basis raucous lively auctions are held in various producing countries where world prices are set. Tasters are looking for similar characteristics, so in the matter of a few seconds the value of the tea is established according to supply and demand functions and quality gradients.

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 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).

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 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 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 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 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.