Queen Mary Black Tea

QUEEN MARY: ENGLISH FAVOURITES TEA

Country (ies) of Origin: India / Sri Lanka / Kenya

Region(s): Assam, Nilgiri / Dimbula / Kericho

Cup Characteristics: A bracing tea from the world’s top tea gardens. A round cup. Good flavour tempered with malty and floral notes.

Infusion: Bright coppery colour.

Information

Once the world’s largest and fastest ocean liner, the Queen Mary represents the pinnacle of the art of ship-building for it’s day. Put into service in 1936, she soon captured the imagination of the public on both sides of the Atlantic and came to represent the spirit of the era that was characterized by elegance and style. In 1940 the Queen Mary was pressed into military service and became a troop carrier. She was painted grey (and gained the nickname - ‘The Grey Ghost’). Once refitted in this role she could carry 15,000 men across the Atlantic in 4 days. The ship was allowed to cross the Atlantic alone because of her speed. It was known that she could outrun all U-boats and the odd military cruiser that could keep up with her were required elsewhere.

Of all the ships commissioned by the Cunard Line, the Queen Mary and her sister ship the Queen Elizabeth best transcended the utilitarian association of transatlantic travel. With her legendary speed and stateliness, the sleek new liner provided a tangible symbol of the end of the Depression. An afternoon tea would be one of the many daily rituals that travelers would enjoy whilst aboard the Queen Mary. It has been said that a voyage on the Queen Mary was a remedy for the travails of life. The fresh salt air and sunshine would be sure to put a spring in anyone’s step and a comforting cup of tea would be sure to take the chill out of the night air while watching the sea miles disappear into the darkness.

We have prepared a blend commemorating those days gone by, keeping in mind the relationship between quality, comfort and piece of mind. The “Queen Mary Blend” is a wonderful tea to imbibe whether you are lounging in your deck chair or sitting seaside. We’re sure you’ll enjoy this classic sensation where you can take a trip on a transatlantic liner with every sip!!!!!

[A tea tasters secret recipe for a pick-me-up on a cold day - make this tea hot as above, pour into a large mug and add 4-5 slices of lemon and 2 heaping teaspoons of sugar - sit back and enjoy a tasty energy boost. To make a special iced tea - after you have added the lemon and sugar, pour this over ice in a tall glass - terrific!]

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Add desired quantity of loose-leaf tea to your teapot. Infuse with the freshly boiled water, cover and let steep for 3-8 minutes in accordance to desired strength.

Iced tea brewing method: (Make 1 liter/quart): Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 6 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Infuse with 1 ¼ cups boiled water and let steep for 5 minutes. Next, fill a large pitcher ¼ full of freshly drawn cold water. Strain brewed tea into pitcher with the cold water. Fill the remainder of the pitcher with ice and top up with more cold water. Sweeten to taste, garnish and serve. (Note: Some premium quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of quality leaf and nothing to worry about!)

Allergens: Nuts: No Gluten: No Wheat: No Sulfites: No Soy Lecithin: No Crustacea: No Eggs: No Milk or dairy: No • Packed at a factory that has an HACCP certified allergen control program. • Packed at a factory that has nuts on the premises

Caffeine: This tea contains natural caffeine found in the Camellia Sinensis family. A cup of black tea steeped in boiled water for 5 minutes will contain between 27 to 35 mg of caffeine – about the same amount as an equal serving of Coca-Cola. An equal sized cup of coffee will contain between 80 – 100 mg of caffeine. Caffeine quickly becomes soluble in very hot water. If you wish to reduce the caffeine level in this tea, briefly rinsing the tea leaves in extremely hot water will reduce the caffeine content between 25-50% with only a minor effect on taste.