Pumpkin Spice Tea

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere then you know that there’s nothing like taking a drive out into the country to look at the fall leaves in their vibrant autumn colors. Among the other seasonal offerings farmers turn out in roadside stalls throughout Canada and the US at that time of year, the vegetable that usually garners the most attention are pumpkins. And if you are luck enough to live anywhere near Richmond Ontario you will understand why. You see, it was in Richmond that a Pumpkin aficionado named Alan Eaton recently grew himself a world record breaking 1446 pounder! It that’s not enough to get you to pull off the country road you’re driving down we don’t know what will.

The wonderful thing about Pumpkin is that although most people simply carve them into Jack-O-Lanterns, in the right hands they can be prepared into the most delicately flavored soups, appetizers, main courses, and desserts. In fact the inspiration for this tea came from a spicy piece of pie our Master Taster requested seconds and thirds of at a roadside café in the heart of Pumpkin country.

He decided that the unique profile of spiced Pumpkin could be best captured by creating a base blend of high quality black tea and a South African, Cedarberg District Rooibos. This seemingly unlikely base blend actually balances out the palate of flavors in this tea quite perfectly. The herbal character of the Rooibos tends a mellowness that doesn’t overpower the subtle tones of our all-natural Pumpkin flavoring while the astringency of the black tea helps open the spicy tones of cinnamon, an integral component of the blend. The next time the mercury begins to dip, try a pot of this wonderful tea. The tantalizing flavor of spiced pumpkin is sure to warm the insides and keep you coming back for more. This is an absolutely amazing tea that harkens to the open road in autumn!

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!