Rhubarb Cream Loose Leaf Black Tea

RHUBARB CREAM

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka

Cup Characteristics: An exquisite flavor reminiscent of fresh rhubarb pie. Tart and sweet – a lovely togetherness in one cup of tea!.

Infusion: Bright and Coppery.

Ingredients: Black tea, Larkspur, Elder blossom, Natural flavors.

Information: Rhubarb cream tea. The first people to recognize the myriad gastronomic uses of Rhubarb were the British at the time of Queen Victoria. During her rein, Rhubarb surged in popularity since it was easy to grow and thrived in the damp British climate. British cooks developed recipes ranging from baked rhubarb with brown sugar to Rhubarb crumble with cream. Can you say delicious? Not surprisingly, many of these recipes are British favorites to this day. After a trip to England, we decided that the time was right to develop a rhubarb flavored tea. Next, we determined that the resulting blend should be naturally sweetened with the addition of fresh dairy cream. The result, we're sure you'll agree, is nothing short of wonderful - sweet, creamy, astringent - absolutely delectable.

Say it with us again: Rrrrrrrhubarb! Rrrrrhubarb cream tea!

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!