Country of Origin: Sri Lanka / India
Region: Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula / Assam, Darjeeling, South India
Shipping Port: Colombo, Kolkata / Haldia, Cochin
Altitude: 6000-8600, 4000-5900 / 500-1500, 2500-7000, 4000-6500 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Cup Characteristics: Full bodied flavoury tea with toasty notes from Darjeeling, maltiness from Assam and lively flavor from Ceylon. Worthy of royal households
Infusion: Bright coppery color

Information:
West of London lies stately Windsor Castle one of the homes of the United Kingdom's reigning monarch. The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the countryside and dominating the skyline of the City of Windsor. When the Queen (or King) is resident at the castle, the royal standard is flown from the masthead of the main tower. In 1993 there was a disastrous fire at Windsor Castle, destroying generations of royal collections, paintings and significant parts of the historic monument. Queen Elizabeth undertook repairs and restoration of the castle and in 1997, celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary there with a state dinner - giving the world its first view of the restoration.

To commemorate this gala evening a special tea was served. According to royal protocol, the tea had to exhibit the following characteristics:
Unique and somewhat rare
As stout and resilient as the monarchy
Golden color - To signify the nature of the monarchy
Flavory - To enchant the guests
Historical - To commemorate Windsor Castle
A new blend to acknowledge the rebuilding and restoration of Windsor Castle

This blend meets this criteria as follows:
Unique and Rare - The Darjeeling component is a 2nd flush, available in limited quantities during two weeks in June.
Stout and Resilient - The Assam is a full bodied and full flavored tea with a delicious maltiness.
Golden Color - The Kenya gives a golden coppery character further deepened by the Assam.
Flavory - The Darjeeling is light muscatel flavoury; the Kenya has seasonal (February production) almost flowery like flavor, and the Assam has a deep malty character.
Historical - All the teas are grown in areas that once were part of The British Empire.
New Blend - The blend was put together specially to commemorate this occasion.

Britain is steeped in tea history. Think of:
High Tea, The Brown Betty, The American War in Independence, The Opium Wars, The Boxer Rebellion, The Clipper Ship races from Fuzchou, China to Portsmouth UK, The Earl of Grey, English Breakfast etc. etc.

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Add desired quantity of loose-leaf tea to your teapot. Infuse with the freshly boiled water, cover and let steep for 3-8 minutes in accordance to desired strength.

Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 6 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Infuse with 1 cups boiled water and let steep for 5 minutes. Next, fill a large pitcher full of freshly drawn cold water. Strain brewed tea into pitcher with the cold water. Fill the remainder of the pitcher with ice and top up with more cold water. Sweeten to taste, garnish and serve. (Note: Some premium quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of quality leaf and nothing to worry about!)