Organic Maple Maple (Organic Black Tea with natural flavors)
Cup Characteristics: Beguiling sweet character with velvet caramel notes. Excellent bouquet.
Ingredients (Loose Tea): Luxury high grown Organic Ceylon black tea, Organic calendula + sunflower petals, Organic natural flavors.
Ingredients (Tea Bag Tea): Luxury high grown Organic Ceylon black tea, Organic natural flavors.
Tea Story:
The northeastern part on North America was once tree covered with a forest type known as the Carolinian Forest. This was a mix of various hardwoods and softwoods. Dominating the forest was the mighty sugar maple. In the early spring as the frost is coming out of the ground the sap begins to 'run'. This means the sap starts flowing to the upper reaches of the tree. The maple sap runs about 1 inch below the surface of the tree bark and provides the nutrients for the foliage and new growth of the tree. Native people discovered that this sap is quite sweet and if one boiled off the water you were left with this fantastic tasting and very sweet syrup. The natives even showed the early settlers how to make maple syrup, which was a great dietary assistance in the early days. Today Canada and New England are world renowned for this 'wonder from the woods'.
What type of tea is used for The Fairmont, how is the tea flavored and why are natural flavors used?
Firstly... we only use high grown teas from the top 3 tea growing regions of Sri Lanka - Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula and Uva. These three high-grown districts produce flavorful teas that have classic 'Ceylon' tea character which is noted by floral bouquet and flavor notes, touches of mild astringency, bright coppery color and, most importantly - perfect for use as the base tea of our flavored teas. (We have tested teas from various other origins around the world as base stock for our flavored teas, but none of these teas made the grade.) Dimbula and the western estates of Nuwara Eliya have a major quality peak during Jan/Feb, whereas Uva and the eastern estates of Nuwara Eliya have their peak in July/Aug. This 'dual peak period' allow us to buy the best for our flavored tea blends several times during the year, ensuring top quality and freshness. Secondly... we use flavoring oils not crystals to give the tea drinker an olfactory holiday before indulging in a liquid tea treat. Thirdly... we specify natural flavors. High quality tea tastes good and natural flavors do not mask the natural taste of the high grown Ceylon tea. (The norm for many making flavored tea is to use overpowering artificial flavors, which can be used to hide lower quality tea). Natural flavors do not leave an aftertaste giving the tea a clean and true character. It should be noted that natural flavors tend to be somewhat 'soft ' and the flavors slightly muted, but for many this is a refreshing change and one of the desired attributes of our naturally flavored teas.
To make the perfect cup of Fairmont Tea: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Use 1 teaspoon of Maple Maple luxury loose tea or 1 tea bag of Maple Maple luxury tea for each 10 ounce/300 ml serving required. Pour boiling water into teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes to desired strength - the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea. Although milk and a dash of sugar may help enhance the flavor of this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume it 'straight-up.'
To make the perfect cup of Fairmont Iced Tea: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of Maple Maple luxury loose tea or 6-8 tea bags of Maple Maple luxury tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Steep 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Strain the tea into the pitcher. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water]. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or 'milky' when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!
To purchase the tea from the Fairmont Store - Click Here