Czar Nicholas Russian Caravan
Blended Black Tea

During the Czar’s time tea was the most important drink after vodka. In fact, even today the tradition continues as Russia and the CIS are major consumers of tea in world terms. Their tastes have changed over the years but light bright flavoury teas are still in high demand in Russia. Quite often the tea is thrown into a pot and allowed to simmer and steep all day; (evidence of this custom can be seen in the Russian samovar - the ideal means of serving tea Russian style). This is one reason you need a light liquoring tea with flavour to be considered for Russian Caravan Tea.

The history of this tea goes back hundreds of years. In the city of Xian in central China one can see historical marker that is acknowledged to be the beginning of the Silk Road - the trail that lead to central Asia (areas such as the Caucuses and the Black Sea). One of the commodities taken along the Silk Road was tea. The tea that was carried on the camel trains left a lasting impression on central Asia - so much so that to supplement their importation of tea, tea was cultivated in the region.

The Lapsang Souchong in the blend gives the hint of mystery: -no doubt in the days of the camel trains across Asia this mysterious character was absorbed on the trail from evening campfires or from the camels themselves. Imagine for a moment the starry nights on the plains of Asia enroute with your precious cargo of tea to the opulent courts of St. Petersburg. You are hunkering down under your blanket and sipping tea fit for a king while trying to ward off the cold bite in the night air. As the tea courses its way into your body and warms you -you think -Now this is the Life!!

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). Add milk and sugar to taste.

Iced tea brewing method:  (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 5 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. 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!