As the temperature rises every day, a cool refreshing drink loaded with ice can somehow ease the extreme heat.
In this dry spell, a luxury tea company, TWG Tea, has introduced its collection of best-
tasting iced tea flavors.
“We are presenting our finest set of tea bags especially crafted for the preparation of iced teas,” said Kashmir Ong, senior marketing officer of TWG Tea Philippines, during the recent launch at TWG Tea Salon and Boutique in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
If you enjoy TWG’s 400-plus selection of hot tea flavors, you will find the iced tea concoctions more invigorating, ideal for the prolonged hot season.
The iced tea collection is in 15 varieties of whole tea leaves carefully proportioned and packaged. Every tea bag contains the exact handpicked leaf teas retailed at TWG Tea Boutiques.
“The tea bags are made from light, transparent and hand-sewn silk which does not affect the taste of the tea,” said Ong, adding that the tea bags have no metal staples and glue to spoil the quality and flavor of the tea.
Each tea bag contains 7.5 grams of tea perfect for a large carafe, which TWG Tea is also launching along side the iced teas.
The carafe, made from a very light Plexiglas and available in eight candy colors, yields one liter of tea.
The iced tea bag, Ong said, is ideally used for one time only so as not to lose the intense flavor.
Cool collection
Sweet, light or tangy, TWG’s iced tea bag collection has 15 varieties with distinct fruity or floral flavors and aroma.
These are: 837 Black Iced Tea Bags (black tea with a lingering aftertaste of ripe berries, anise and caramel); Tea Party Iced Tea Bags (rich black tea with candied sweetness); Moroccan Mint Iced Tea Bags (green tea blended with strong Sahara mint); French Earl Grey Iced Tea Bags (black tea infused with citrus fruits); Pomme Prestige Iced Tea Bags (fragrant apples); Alfonso Iced Tea Bags (black tea and rare mango); Grand Jasmine Iced Tea Bags (jasmine blossoms); Pink Flamingo Iced Tea bags (green tea with crimson hibiscus blossoms and fruity overtones); 1837 Green Iced Tea bags (green tea with caramel aftertaste); Eternal Summer Iced Tea bags (South African red tea with raw berries), Caravan Iced Tea Bags (green tea with sweet mints); Cocktail Hour Iced Tea Bags (a combo of black tea and green tea with notes sweet sugar cane and rum); Darjeeling Iced Tea Bags (black tea with green mango); Red Chai Iced Tea Bags (red tea with Indian spices); and Sweet France Iced Tea Bags (green tea with a touch of chamomile).
“The iced tea collection actually has been existing except for one new variety that is not available in our present collection which is the Darjeeling,” said Ong.
Darjeeling is said to be the “champagne” of teas—a flush black tea that exudes a delicious aroma.
“A lot of people are surprised that you can serve Darjeeling for iced tea,” said Ong. “Being a black tea, it’s normally used for hot tea alone. But, Darjeeling in an iced tea bag also gives off a very fine, exquisite taste.”
Here’s how to serve TWG tea bags and enjoy its refreshing flavors:
For a rich, intense and flavorful beverage (preparation of 1 litre of iced tea):
1. Place 1 tea bag into a teapot.
2. Add ½ liter of pure, simmering water.
3. Steep for about 5 minutes.
4. Remove tea bag and pour into glasses filled to the brim with large ice cubes.
For a more delicately infused beverage:
1. Place 1 tea bag into a glass pitcher.
2. Add 1 liter of pure water at room temperature.
3. Refrigerate for about 12 hours.
4. Stir and remove the tea bag before serving.
Enjoy this iced tea as it is or sweetened to taste with sugar syrup.
E-mail the author at vbaga@inquirer.com.ph