Cherry Almond Naturally Flavoured Black Tea

• Country of Origin: Sri Lanka
• Region: Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula or Uva districts
• Shipping Port: Colombo
• Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
• Altitude: 4800 - 7600 feet above sea level
• Manufacturer Type: Orthodox
• Cup Characteristics: Deep cherry flavor with almond notes. A dash of sugar enhances the flavor and offers a smooth silky character.
• Infusions: Bright and Coppery
• Ingredients: Luxury black tea, Sweetened cranberries, Almond slices, Rose petals, Blackberry + lime leaves, Safflower petals, Natural flavors.

The mixture of Almonds and Cherries is one of Europe's best loved flavor combinations. In the Ukraine, cherries are added as a filling to almond pastry, a Ukrainian favorite, and then baked to make cherry almond pastries. In the more northerly Scandinavian countries, almonds and cherries make up one of the most popular varieties of muesli, which is often eaten as a breakfast cereal or baked into a delicious and hearty bread. In Germany, cherry almond cheesecake has long been a favorite. This blended tea based on our high grown Ceylon, and true to its European roots, is a real treat. The flavor profile of freshly plucked cherries adds a pleasant sweetness to the nutty character of almond and the astringency of the tea. This is one of our favorite dessert teas. Brew a pot, pour a cup, and remember the old country!

What type of tea do we use, how do we flavor the tea and why do we use natural flavors?

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.