Madagascar Almond Spice

Description

The Island State of Madagascar, situated off the coast of Africa, is the fourth largest island in the world. Although the island does not actually grow almonds commercially, almonds have been traded through her ports for centuries. During the Middle Ages, Madagascar became an important trading hub, servicing traders who plied their trade between Europe, most notably Portugal, Africa, and India. Spices, fabrics, pottery, metal-ware, just about anything imaginable has been traded through the island – even slaves before the trade was abolished. As mentioned, almonds were one of the goods that were commonly traded. Most of these came from various agricultural centers in Africa and made their way to Northern Europe where the nut featured prominently in medieval cooking from Spain all the way to England.

We’ve taken a cue from the Middle Ages and decided to feature the almond in this wonderfully nutty herbal tea. Blended in with our all-natural almond pieces you’ll find dried pieces of Rosehip, Apple, Thistle flowers, and Cinnamon that create a sweet fruity mélange with a slightly bitter nutty undertone and touch of hot spice. This tea is fabulous served hot on cold winter days or ice cold over a tall glass of ice on steamy summer afternoons. A true caffeine free delight – from Madagascar with love!

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/170-200ml 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.

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