4 FLOWERING GREEN TEA BALLS- ARTISAN HANDCRAFTED
Caffeine/Antioxidant Level: Low/Very High
Ingredients: Green tea, Chrysanthemum Lily, Jasmine and Osmanthus Blossoms.
Cup Characteristics: Smooth and satisfying green tea notes. The peach character of osmanthus comes to the fore with hints of jasmine and lily.
Yunnan, the southernmost province in the People's Republic of China is also the country's largest producer of flowers. The high production numbers have secured Yunnan's position as China's top flower producing region for more than 10 years straight. During those years, the province's Carnations, Forget-Me-Nots, Lilies, Osmanthus and Jasmine flowers have accounted for 45% of China's total annual floral exports. Yunnan sits directly below the Tropic of Cancer, the farthest northern latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead, an event that occurs once a year on the 21st of June. In short, Yunnan gets a lot of direct sunlight. The flowers love sun and lots of it. As every good tea drinker knows, Yunnan is also famous for growing tea. So it seems only natural that given the province of the floral industry, tea artisans would create a tea in its honor, 3 Flower Burst. The idea behind the tea is that as it brews, it unfolds and mimics the way the lush Yunnan countryside bursts open with color in the springtime. The tea is produced by tying Lily, Osmanthus and Jasmine blooms together with steamed full leaves of Yunnan green tea. As the tea dries the flowers are held inside the ways seeds are concealed in the damp earth. Drop the tea into a glass pitcher, infuse it and watch the miraculous bloom unfold. The cup, like springtime in Yunnan is bright, with a very full green taste layered with overtones of cut peach and layered undertones of jasmine and lily perfume. Makes a perfect gift- an absolute wonderful tea.
Hot Tea: Place one ball in your teapot and add water that is roughly 194'F/90'C. Infuse until the ball is fully open, usually about five minutes. Watch the long leaves unfurl to reveal the hidden flower treasure.
Iced Tea: Not generally consumed as iced tea but if you do, (1qt): 3 balls in a heat resistant pitcher. Pur 1 1/4 cup boiling water on tea. Steep five minutes. Quarter fill serving pitcher with cold water. Add ice, fill with cold water, garnish and sweeten to taste.
