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LOS ANDES GUAT ORGANIC

Tending full-bodied Assam-like notes of malt. Finish is lightly astringent.
ADD TO CART
100 g $8.63 / per cup $0.17
250 g $16.79 / per cup $0.13
500 g $25.42 / per cup $0.10
1 kg $47.96 / per cup $0.09
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  • The national motto of Guatemala reads, "El Pais De La Eterna Primavera". In English the phrase means "The Country of The Eternal Spring". It is the climate associated with this eternal spring that makes the mountainous regions of the country ideal for growing coffee, bananas, and less commonly, tea. And it is the blossoming of Spring flowers that one is instantly reminded of when the tea pluckers of Los Andes are seen drifting through the estate's gardens draped in their brightly colored red and yellow clothing. Like their counterparts in the Eastern World, the pluckers of Los Andes endeavor to pick only the top two leaves and bud of the dark green leaves. Aside from some small operations in Brazil, Guatemala is the only country in the Western World that still grows tea in any meaningful capacity, and the majority of that production takes place at this lush and exceptionally beautiful estate.

    Total production at Los Andes, located high in the mountains straddling the regions of Antigua and Lago Atitlan, has stabilized in recent years at around 90 tons per annum. (Coffee is still the estate's main crop.) Interestingly, about half of the raw leaf produced at Los Andes is grown in their own gardens, with the remainder grown by smaller-scale farmers in the surrounding villages. The arrangement works quite well - the plantation managers of Los Andes travel to the various farms to ensure that production standards remain high, and organic methods are adhered to. The arrangement also works well in that these smaller farmers are afforded the ability to sustain their families in a traditional agrarian lifestyle.

    More than just Latin America's only real tea plantation, Los Andes is called home by hundreds of people. As such, the management of the estate is very committed to the social development, education, and health care of its workers. One example of this care is the pre-school that was opened in recent years to compliment the estate's existing junior and senior schools. Since opening, enrollment at the pre-school has grown from 20 students to around 70. Metropolitan Tea is committed to supporting tea plantations that demonstrate high levels of care for their workers - efforts like this one make us proud of our relationship with Los Andes.

    But what about the cup? Well, the tea produced at Los Andes has a pleasing astringency and nice full body, with subtle floral undertones. The profile of the tea opens wonderfully with a splash of milk and a pinch of sugar. Cup some for yourself or your customers today and taste the flavor of Guatemala's eternal springtime. Salud!

  • Tea Type: Organic

    Country: Guatemala

    Region: Suchitepequez

    Grade: OF (Orange Fannings)

    Altitude: 1500 ft. above sea level

    Manufacturer Type: Orthodox

    Ingredients: Black tea

    Cup Characteristics: Tending full-bodied Assam-like notes of malt. Finish is lightly astringent.

    Infusion: Bright and Coppery

  • Brewing Hot

    Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in 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.

    Brewing Cold

    Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea, 6 tea bags or 6 Q3 single serve packets into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1 1/3 cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags. 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 increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about.)

    Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 single serve packet into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the tea or removing the bags. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional serving. Sweeten and/or add lemon to taste. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted. (Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)

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