Tell Me MoreNest shaped compressed green tea. Each nest makes tea for 3. Full bodied with a hint of oak.
This ancient variety of tea is made from a Yunnan large leaf varietal, Camelia Assamica, and is actually a variety of Pu-erh. The pods themselves are made by taking the processed green leaves, steaming them, and then pressing them into small bowl-shaped forms. The process is quite laborious as each pod must be pressed by hand. Mini Tou Cha pods, like all Pu-erh teas age exceptionally well - in China it is not that uncommon to find processed tea in local Yunnan tea shops that has been aged for 25 years or more! When infused the tea has a mild musty character that to connoisseurs is immediately identifiable as Yunnan Pu-erh. To the initiated, this character can be surprising and remind one of the smells of fresh earth. It is also because of this character that the tea is known in some parts of China as "Earth tea." As with many green teas, and especially Pu-erh teas, mini-Toucha pods can be infused multiple times. The next time you brew up a pot pay close attention to the flavor profile of the cup. Much like re-reading a novel, or watching a movie again, you will discover that while the fundamental character remains, the subtle nuances of flavor will change slightly from cup to cup - a subtle mustiness here - a milder sweetness there. This is truly one of the Yunnan provinces most compelling brews. |
Brewing for Best ResultsIdeal Brewing Temperature: 180°F/82°C.
Minimum Brewing Temperature: 175°F/79°C. Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to 180°F/ 82°C. Break apart tea. 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 1-2 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). If you leave the tea too long where it becomes cloudy, the taste will be bitter. |
origin
Tea(s) From: China Region(s): Yunnan Province ingredients
Luxury Ingredients: Green tea brewing tips
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. |