Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea
exciting blend of orange peel, red apple bits, cherry, clove and fruity almond
Also available in 1 lb. resealable bags.
FLAVOR PROFILE
Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea is a sweet and whimsical blend of our favorite traditional holiday flavors. Orange, red apple, cherry and almond all dance upon your taste buds, but clove plays the principle role in this festive cuppa. You’ll be dreaming of sugar plums and another cup of this tea all throughout the year.
The overall cup of our Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea is spicy and lightly sweet with a hint of almond flavor.
BENEFITS
As a black breakfast tea, Nutcracker Sweet contains high levels of caffeine although less than coffee cup per cup.
As with all quality black teas, like ours, this tea contains high levels of antioxidants.
Black tea** offers a variety of health benefits:
- Contains polyphenols that have antioxidant properties that may decrease the risk of chronic disease and improve overall health
- Contains flavonoids, another group of antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health and may reduce the risk of heart disease
- Studies have found that black tea may help reduce LDL levels and decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke
- Contains polyphenols and antimicrobial properties may help improve gut health and immunity
- Contains polyphenols that may decrease cancer cell development
- Contains several compounds and one specifically (epigallocatechin gallate) shown to improve insulin levels
- Contains the amino acid L-theanine that increases alpha activity in the brain to help improve focus and alertness
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea is excellent served hot or iced. This tea takes well to sugar, honey and other sweeteners. Milk of any type may be added to this tea. A slice of lemon may also be added. However, never add lemon and dairy milk to the cup together. The acid in the lemon will cause the milk to curdle.
PREPARATION
Traditional Hot Tea
Measure one heaping teaspoons of tea leaves per one cup water into a tea filter or into an infuser of your choice. Keep in mind, the infuser you choose must be large enough to allow the tea leaves to swell and unfurl. This allows the tea leaves to release their full flavor. Place filter into teapot or mug. Bring filtered or freshly drawn water to a boil then pour into teapot or mug. Infuse 1-2 minutes, for mild flavor, 2-3 minutes for medium flavor and 3-5 minutes for bold flavor. Remove the filter and discard or remove infuser and discard tea leaves. Garnish as desired with sugar, honey or other sweeteners.
Iced Tea
Measure eight to ten heaping teaspoons of tea leaves into a tea filter and place into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Bring 2 cups of filtered or freshly drawn water to a boil. Immediately pour boiled water over filter into teapot or heat-resistant pitcher. Infuse 3-5 minutes. Remove filter and sweeten tea with ½ cup sugar if desired. Add 2 cups of filtered or freshly drawn water to a serving pitcher. Pour in prepared tea and mix well. Add 2 cups of ice and stir. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Cold-infusion Method*
Measure six to eight teaspoons of tea leaves into a tea filter and place inside a clean glass jar or small pitcher. Position filter so that the tea leaves will be submerged and the top hangs over the side of the jar or pitcher so that leaves do not spill out once water is added. Pour four cups of filtered or freshly drawn water over the filter. Cover with lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate 8-12 hours (or overnight). To serve this tea hot, simply pour the cold-infused tea into a saucepan over medium heat and gently warm to desired temperature.
*Cold-infused tea has higher levels of antioxidants, less caffeine and less tannins resulting in a smoother cup.
Due to the inclusion of black tea leaves, Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea may be infused a second time, although flavor will be lighter, using either traditional infusing methods or cold-infusion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Nutcracker Sweet Black Tea, like all teas, should be stored out of direct light and in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, this tea will stay fresh for up to two years.
Ingredients: black tea, lemon peel, cloves, orange peel, cherries, red apple bits (contain—apples, safflower, sunflower and/or canola oil, corn syrup, sugar, maltodextrin, modified corn starch, citric acid, ascorbic acid, natural flavoring, caramel color), almond flakes, cran-raisins (cranberries, sugar, cherry juice from concentrate, citric acid, natural cherry flavor with other natural flavors, elderberry juice concentrate, sunflower oil), raisins, safflowers, natural and artificial flavor. CONTAINS TREE NUTS=ALMONDS
