ANDALUSIA LEMON ORGANIC

Ah Andalusia, home of the beating southern sun, mythical origin of the rhythmic clapping and body twirling of Flamenco and the famed source of some of the world's juiciest and plumpest lemons, in Spanish, Andalusia the name simply rolls off the tongue! It is believed the region, the second largest Autonomous Community in Spain, (something like a State in the US), got its name from the Moors. After the battle of Las Naves in 1212, the Moors, Spain's Arab conquerors decided to name the place Al-Andulus, which in time the Spanish adopted as Andalusia.

The Moors gave Andalusia a considerable amount more than a name. A few hundred years prior to the battle of Las Naves, they also brought over the lemon, which like the name Andalusia, the Spanish would later adopt as their own. The Moors loved the yellow fruit. They couldn't get enough of them really and so, throughout the 8th and 9th centuries, as they conquered much of North Africa, parts of Southern Italy and, of course, Spain, they planted groves to ensure they might never have to go without.

The Moors were finally expelled from Spain in 1492, but their lemon groves remained. To this day, lemons are a firmly entrenched part of Andalusian cuisine and are served with virtually every meal. One of the most fabled growing areas is the Valley of Lecrin, which in English is The Valley of Happiness. In the valley, the lemon trees grow on ancient terraces accessible only by mules. A visit will show you the campesinos, farmers, trundling up into the groves and coming back with bushels, gleaming yellow for sale by the roadside. The fruit is juicy, delicious and tart  just like a wonderful cup of this tea. We've developed this blend to capture the mystique of this beautiful corner of Spain. Delight your taste buds with a cup or two the next time you feel like something a little exotic!