Chocolate Mint Loose Leaf Black Tea

CHOCOLATE MINT (Black Tea with natural flavors)

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka

Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)

Cup Characteristics: Fresh lovely mint combined with full flavored chocolate tea that is wonderfully reminiscent of an after-dinner mint. How decadent!

Infusion: Bright and Coppery.

Ingredients: Luxury black tea, Peppermint, Blackberry leaves, Natural flavors.

Information: A perfect dessert tea that is wonderful with shortbread cookies. If you want a ‘little something’ without sugar, try this, a chocoholic favorite! This tea is a lovely combination of mint with the earthy, irresistible aroma of chocolate.

During its long history, chocolate was originally drunk, not eaten, with its origins being traced back to the ancient Maya, and Aztec civilization in Central America. The Maya used cocoa beans as a form of currency as well as a special ingredient in their drink. For the Europeans, in the 1600’s and 1700’s, there existed a hefty import duty on cocoa, resulting in chocolate becoming an item that only the wealthy could afford to enjoy.

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). Even though milk and a dash of sugar help enhance the flavor character on this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea ‘straight-up’

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]. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or ‘milky’ when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!