Bohemian Raspberry Loose Leaf Green Tea

Bohemian Raspberry Loose Leaf Black Tea

Cup Characteristics: Ooh-la-la refreshing raspberry with smooth green tea notes.

Infusion: Bright pale green to yellow, light colored cup.

Ingredients: Green Sencha tea, Raspberry pieces, Natural Flavors.

Bohemian 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: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into 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: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water 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. 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 double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].