MINI TOUCHA

(China Green Formed Tea)

ARTISANAL NOTES:Small Batch Blended and Packed in Canada. HACCP Certified. 

INGREDIENTS FROM:China 

REGION(S):Yunnan Province 

ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL:Low 

CAFFEINE LEVEL:Low

SHELF LIFE: Almost 2 years. 

SHIPPING PORT(S):Shenzhen 

GRADE(S):Mini Toucha 

GROWING ALTITUDE(S):1500 – 4900 feet above sea level 

MANUFACTURE TYPE(S):Compressed tea 

CUP CHARACTERISTICS:Nest shaped compressed green tea. Each makes tea for 3. Full bodied with a hint of oak. 

INFUSION:A lightish tea. Leaves can be brewed multiple times. 

INGREDIENTS:Green tea 

INFORMATION:
Simply put, mini Toucha is the smaller sibling of our large Toucha pods. 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 Toucha 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. 

HOT TEA BREWING METHOD:
Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180°F/82°C. Break apart and place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup let the tea steep for about 3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be plucked. 

Modern Method:Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Break tea apart and place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Adding milk or sugar is not recommended.

Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that green tea be brewed at 180°F/82°C. Regretfully, modern society makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the desired brewing temperature - it's the food safe thing to do! 

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Pitcher):(to make 1 liter/quart): Break tea apart and place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼ cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!) 

ICED TEA BREWING METHOD (Individual Serving):Break tea apart and place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!) 

ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT:
More antioxidants are extracted from tea (L. Camellia Sinesis), or rooibos (Asphalatus Linearis), the longer it is brewed.and the more tea or rooibos that is used, the greater the antioxidant benefit. 

FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY:
While green tea is traditionally brewed using 180°F/82°C water, 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 illnesses. 

IDEAL BREWING TEMPERATURE:100C/212F.

MINIMUM BREWING TEMPERATURE: 90C/194F.