Amount:  2oz $5.50 makes about 12 mugs 4oz $9.99 makes about 25 mugs 8oz $17.99 makes about 50 mugs 1lb $33.99 makes about 100 mugs

Description

BLUE SPRING OOLONG

(Oolong Tea)

Small Batch Blended and Packed in Canada. HACCP Certified.

Ingredients From: China

Region(s): Fujian Province

Shipping Port(s): Fuzhou

Grade(s): Ti Kuan Yin Special

Growing Altitudes: 1500 – 4900 feet above sea level

Manufacture Type: Semi fermented, Traditional process, Small batch crafted and formed.

Cup Characteristics: An imperial favorite. Hand selected Ti Kuan Yin Oolong layers notes of orchid, baking bread and faint wine. Rare.

Infusion: Pale green yellow liquor, tending slightly amber

Luxury Ingredients: Oolong tea, and Mallow petals.

Antioxidant Level: Very High

Caffeine Content: Low

Shelf Life: Almost 2 years.

Information:
In some parts of rural China, Blue Spring Oolong is known as the compassionate oolong. The name stems from an ancient legend that highlights the benevolence of Guan Yin, namesake of Ti Kuan Yin, the leaf style of Blue Spring.

Guan Yin was a Bodhisattva, a Buddhist term that describes a being who has attained enlightenment (like the Buddha) but decides to return to earth to lead others and help make their lives better. According to Buddhist belief, every Bodhisattvas by their very nature is compassionate toward others, but Guan Yin, known also as the “Iron Goddess of Mercy” was thought to embody the compassion of all enlightened Buddha-like beings.

According to the ancient tale, there was an ancient village, the name of which has long been forgotten that was suffering from a great drought. For many months, not a drop of water fell from the sky. The only moisture to be had was that which could be collected from nets that had been placed on the ground to collect dew during the night. Drinking water was in incredibly short supply and to make maters worse, the local tea crop the villagers relied on for income had all but withered away to nothing. In desperation the villagers began to make offerings of what little they had to the only deity they though might be able to help, Guan Yin.

After a week or so of offerings, a stranger appeared in the village driving a heard of goats. The stranger asked the villagers if his goats might have some water as they had been walking for days. Not wanting to turn down a stranger‟s request, the villagers poured what little water they had collected in the nets into a pitcher and handed it to the goatherder.

Accepting the water the goatherder said, “You have honored my request and shown me the compassion that I will now show you.” With that the stranger removed his cloak to reveal that he was in fact a she, the Iron goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin. Guan Yin then tipped over the pitcher of water. At the spot where its contents spilled out, a miraculous spring of water began to gush out of the dry ground. The village was saved. Tea growers in the village decided that to honor the goddess, they would begin adding delicate blue mallow flower petals to their tea to represent the crystal blue water of the miraculous spring – Blue Spring Oolong was born!

We‟re pleased to offer this exceptional tea for the first time outside of North America. Aside from its enchanting heritage, Blue Spring Oolong is truly exceptional in the cup - layers of orchid blend with notes of minerals, wheat bread and hints of dry white wine on the finish – an exceptional tea.

Hot tea brewing method:
Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180°F/82°C**. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup, briefly infuse with freshly boiled water and then pour off. Re-infuse the tea and pour after about 1 minute or longer to taste and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup.
Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be plucked.

Modern Method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in 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). Adding milk or sugar is not recommended.

**Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that oolong tea be brewed at 180°F/82°C. Regretfully, modern society makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the desired brewing temperature – it’s the food safe thing to do!

Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml 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 or removing the tea bags.
Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.
(Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)

Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea 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 tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the leaves or removing the tea bags. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.
(Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)

RECOMMENDATION: We recommend the use of our ‘1 Cup of Perfect Tea’ measuring spoon for best results.

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT:
More antioxidants are extracted from tea (L. Camellia Sinesis), or rooibos (Asphalatus Linearis), the longer it is brewed….and the more tea or rooibos that is used, the greater the antioxidant benefit.

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY:
While oolong tea is traditionally brewed using 180°F/82°C water, we strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today‟s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses..

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