Country of Origin: India, Kenya, China.
Region: Assam + Nilgiri, Kericho + Kiambu, Anhui Province
Shipping Port: Haldia + Cochin, Mombasa, Shanghai
Grade: FP - Flowery Pekoe
Altitude: 1500'ft, 7100'ft, 4200'ft above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox, CTC
Cup Characteristics: A superb fresh morning tea. Malty notes from the Assam, flower-like hints from the Kenya with delicate wisps of oiliness from the Yunnan
Infusion: Bright coppery color

Information:
This tea blend was specially created by The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd taking into consideration the nuances of the various waters across Canada. To be considered as 'the toast of Canada' from a tea perspective, the tea had to be able to 'shine' in any water. For this reason a broad range of origin teas were used. More than 35 various teas were tasted using the water sent to us from various parts of the country. The tasting session extended more then 2 days until the right blend was achieved which combined the best teas a synergistic relation. A few additional refinements were undertaken the final result was an outstanding tea - the best in Canada, if not North America or the world. The Assam component (2nd flush, June Production) gives a thick malt and full-bodied character. The Kenyan component gives a floral-like cup and coppery infusion whereas the South Indian component gives superb fruity and sprightly flavour with a lovely finish. From Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon) we used a January production Dimbula that gives an airy piquant flavour that opens the blend. Lastly, to draw everything together we added some Keemun, which gives a burgundy depth with light oaky notes.

Canada has a history of consuming the best teas in the world. During the 1960's and 1970's, on a world scale, it was Canadian and Irish tea companies that paid the most for the teas, which formed the basis of the blends that were readily available in their respective countries. Sadly, in Canada and to a lesser extent in Ireland, as the tea blenders became older and started retiring, the large tea companies did not see the need to maintain the quality. There were competitive pressures in the market place and these had to be met! Consequently the overall tea quality in Canada declined over the 1980's and 1990's. Luckily, concurrent with the dramatic quality decline there was a tea trading company in existence at the time, named Hayter and Scandrett that trained it's personnel exceedingly well in the fine points of tasting and recognizing quality teas. These personnel carried the blending secrets and knowledge of fine quality tea to The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd. This knowledge was later transformed into the best tea blend in Canada, resurrecting Canada's long history to drinking and enjoying the world's best teas.

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into 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). Even though milk and a dash of sugar help enhance the flavor character on this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea 'straight-up'.

Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher 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!

A tea tasters secret recipe for a pick-me-up on a cold day: Make this tea hot as above, pour into a large mug and add 4-5 slices of lemon and 2 heaping teaspoons of sugar - sit back and enjoy a tasty energy boost. To make a special iced tea - after you have added the lemon and sugar, pour this over ice in a tall glass - terrific!]