T13     NATURALLY SPICED TEA or CHAI
further information

This tea has been carefully developed to blend with some six fresh natural spices without any added flavouring of any kind. Because it has the spices added within the tea it is advisable to turn the packet upside down and allow the contents to mix before use.

As this tea contains fresh crushed spices mixed in with the leaf it is advisable to use a tea strainer before pouring into a cup.

1. Brewing: Brew as for a normal black tea at boiling point and with some 3 - 5 minutes of brewing time according to your palate.

2. Brewing a Chai tea: Here it is tradition to boil up the milk and allow to simmer. Then add in the spiced tea to the simmering milk with sugar or honey as required. Allow the mixture to simmer for a minimum of 4 minutes and preferably longer to about 10 minutes. It is traditional in the Far East for Kaddais (street side shops) to keep simmering for very long periods. When pouring out the mix pour from a height, pouring the mix back and forth in order to create a froth.

Water Quality: Water quality is vitally important for brewing proper teas. Many of the modern blended teas contain CTC leaf to boost colour and also contain high levels of crushed stalk fibre to counteract water quality. Where fibre is high then the tea quality is very low. It is always best to use water filter jugs unless you live in areas such as Cumbria or Scotland and even there Chlorine can be a problem. With the low water quality in the mains many people buy a suitable bottled water for drinking purposes and it is therefore not a big step to use such water for brewing teas and as a result you will enhance the clarity and life of such quality teas. Water quality is becoming more and more important for brewing of Coffees and teas. Teas were never invented by the Chinese to be strong but to be delicate and develop aromas and flavours. Modern CTC and constant rotovaning of teas produces teas with high caffeine levels which have affected some consumers and led many doctors to suggest avoiding tea or coffee. Stick to the Traditional large leaf twist rolled teas and caffeine is less of a problem.

ICED TEA:    This tea can be brewed as an iced tea but normally spiced teas have a warming influence in cold weather. If you wish to ice this tea then brew at double strength and pour into a glass or glasses filled with ice.