Tell Me MoreFirst planted with tea in 1903, the majority of Kenya's tea gardens are clustered on the slopes of the Great Rift Valley, a vast geological formation created by a powerful volcanic eruption many thousands of years ago. The valley cuts the country lengthwise and is one of Africa's most lush corners. Within the valley some 22% of the tea world's export supply is grown, roughly 349,000 tons of finished tea per year. It's a lot of tea.
The bulk of production has traditionally been CTC manufacture (Cut Tear Curl) but recent innovations by Kenyan manufacturers has seen the development of some spectacular teas never before seen in the country. Among them is Silverback White tea, named after the magnificent Silverback Gorillas that can be found in the region. The gorillas are characterized by a white patch of fur on their backs, the color of which is very similar to the white tips used to create the tea. In a country that produces such vast quantities of tea, Silverback is a true rarity. In fact it is believed to be one of the rarest teas in the world - only 600 kgs of it are made on an annual basis. As mentioned, the tea is made from only the choicest white tips, flushed by highly specialized tea bushes in the valley's cool early mornings. The fresh leaf is hand plucked, hand rolled and dried naturally. The process is exceedingly laborious and even the most skilled tea artisan can produce only about 1 kg per day. We were exceptionally fortunate to secure a supply of this tea delicacy for The Plaza. Even for long-time tea tasters, a pot of Silverback White Tea is a revelation. The cup opens widely with breathtaking notes of honey, roasted nuts and Madagascar vanilla leading to a long smooth finish - a tea your guests will never forget. |
Brewing for Best ResultsIdeal Brewing Temperature: 176°F/80°C.
Minimum Brewing Temperature: 158°F/70°C. Modern Method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 176°F/ 80°C. With an infuser, use 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz of fluid water. Rinse the tea first by placing enough prepared water over the leaves and leave set for 10 seconds. Discard rinse water. Do not drink. Steep 3-5 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Traditional Method: When preparing by the traditional method, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 - 4 times. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 176°F/ 80°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 8 oz of fluid water. Rinse the tea first by placing enough prepared water over the leaves and leave set for 10 seconds. Discard rinse water. Do not drink. Pour the prepared water directly over the leaves after the rinse. Steep for about 2 minutes then remove leaves. Rinsing the leaves are not recommended when brewing the second or third time. |
origin
Tea(s) From: Kenya Region(s): Nandi Highlands 98% Ethical Tea Partnership 98% Fair Tea Trade ingredients
Luxury Ingredients: White tea iced tea instructions
Per Serving: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 176°F/ 80°C. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea per 7-9 oz of fluid water. Steep 5 minutes. Add filtered hot tea to 16 oz glass filled with ice. Per Pitcher: Makes 1 Quart. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 176°F/ 80°C. Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea in a heat resistant container. Pour 1 ¼ cup of prepared water over the tea leaves. Steep 5-7 minutes. With a fine mesh sieve, filter the hot tea liquor to the serving pitcher filled with ice. Add cold filtered water to top off. (Some luxury teas will turn cloudy when poured over ice). brewing tips
Making an amazing cup of tea requires several things. High quality tea, filtered or freshly drawn cold water, correct water temperature, time of infusion, and filters/infusers. Unfiltered water or too hot of water can ruin the best of teas. Always use filtered or freshly drawn cold water. Any flavor from water treatments or heavy minerals such as lime or calcium can taint the water. Brew at the ideal temperature. Too hot of water can scorch the leaves and produce a bitter brew. If you find that the tea is still bitter following the recommended brewing temperature, try lowering the brew temperature another 5 to 10 degrees. Use infusers that allow the tea leaves to fully expand and has full contact with the water. Ditch the tea bags. Know the steeping time for your tea. Too long of steeping can make your tea bitter and undesirable. Too short of time will make a weak tea. Don’t make tea in the microwave. food safety
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 illness. Cool the water to the ideal brewing temperature before brewing. |