Description
EARL GREY ROOIBOS
(HERBAL TEA - Rooibos means RED BUSH in Afrikaans)
Small Batch Blended and Packed in Canada. HACCP Certified.
Ingredients From: South Africa
Region: Cederberg
Shipping Port: Cape Town
Grade: Choice Grade #1
Altitude: 1500 - 2500 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Fermentation turns the leaves from green to deep red and gives a slightly sweet note.
Cup Characteristics: For the herbal tea drinker who has everything. A delicious Earl Grey and Rooibos combination.
Infusion: Reddish orange to full color (depends on brewing time and quantity used)
Luxury Ingredients: Rooibos, Cornflower petals, and Natural flavors.
Information:
Although Earl Grey is normally associated with England and good strong Ceylon and Chinese teas, this unique variety is closely
tied to South Africa, in particular the town of Howick. The reason for this is two fold. For one, the Rooibos that forms the base
of this blend is grown near the town. The second is that the town is named after Earl Grey himself. In fact, History tells us that
Henry George Grey, the 3rd Earl of Grey was also known as British Colonial Secretary Viscount Howick. Howick lent his
name to the new town as it was being formed near the Mgeni River in KwaZulu Natal back in the 1800’s. The town developed
as European settlers moved to the country and began to populate the more remote corners of the territory. Howick
accommodated the needs of the droves of settlers and wagon-drivers that crossed the river as they went looking for farmland.
The weary travelers would stop for refreshment, supplies and a well needed break from the trail.
It seems fitting that this tea share its name with a man whose name – or one of them at least - became synonymous with repose
and refreshment. Interestingly it was Howick, the 3rd Earl of Grey who first conceived of the idea of allowing free trade
between England and her colonies. Like all great Earl Grey teas, this tea is flavored with all natural Bergamot oil. Brew
yourself a pot and note how well the citrus character engages with the mellow herbal character of the Rooibos. The taste is
truly sublime. Long live the Viscount! I mean Earl. I mean 3rd Earl of Grey! One of the world’s most interesting Earl Grey
blends.
200 ml (about 7 ounces) of brewed Rooibos contains the following nutrients:
Nutrient Function in the Body per 200 ml
Iron (Fe) Essential for transport of oxygen in the blood 0.07 mg
Potassium (K) Assists certain metabolic functions 7.12 mg
Calcium (Ca) Necessary for strong teeth and bones 1.09 mg
Copper (Cu) Assists certain metabolic processes 0.07 mg
Zinc (Zn) Necessary for normal growth and development of healthy skin 0.04 mg
Magnesium (Mg) Assists a healthy nervous system and other metabolic processes 1.57 mg
Fluoride (F) Necessary for strong teeth and bones 0.22 mg
Manganese (Mn) Assists metabolic processes and bone growth and development 0.04 mg
Sodium (Na) Necessary for fluid and acid-base balance 6.16 mg
Hot tea brewing method:
Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of
loose rooibos 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 brew). Add
sugar and milk to taste.
Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher):
(to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose rooibos into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼
cups/315ml over the rooibos. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the brewed rooibos into
your serving pitcher straining the rooibos or removing the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and
sweeten to taste. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced rooibos is to increase the strength of the hot rooibos brew
since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.
Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving):
Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose rooibos 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 rooibos. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot rooibos herbal tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with
ice, straining the rooibos. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving.
Sweeten and/or add lemon to taste. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced rooibos is to increase the strength of hot
rooibos since it will be poured over ice and diluted.
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:
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.