Whittard of Chelsea Ceylon Tea Bags

...of Chelsea*

Whittard of Chelsea is a fantastic company devoted to produce tea, coffee and hot chocolates and all manner of beverage accoutrements of superb quality. You can find Whittard's shops in most towns and cities and also purchase their products via their website; www.whittard.co.uk. Their ceramics are simply divine and I must admit to owning more espresso cups than I strictly need!

*Ceylon Tea and Sri Lanka*
...in Sri Lanka, (known as Ceylon until 1972). Until the 1860s the main crop of Ceylon, (Sri Lanka), was coffee. In 1869 there was a devastating case of the coffee-rust fungus, Hemileia Vastatrix, which wiped out most of Ceylon's coffee plants. The owners and workers were facing ruin so they had to look for a new crop to survive and they found Ceylon tea.

Ceylon tea bushes flush every seven or eight days and are gathered all year long. ... more

"Tea is much more than a mere drink in Britain. It is a solace, a mystique, an art, a way of life, almost a religion. It is more deeply traditional than the roast beef of old England....This khaki-coloured concoction, brewed through an accident of history from an exotic plant grown thousands of miles from fog, cricket and left-handed driving, has become the life-blood of the nation." - Cecil Porter of Gemini News Service

*Introduction*

I am not a fan of your "normal" British cuppa. Tetley and PG Tips just do not do it for me; I like a bit of luxury when it comes to tea and Whittard's fantastic range of Teabags does the job. Today I will be reviewing Whittard's Ceylon teabags.

*Whittard of Chelsea*

Whittard of Chelsea is a fantastic company devoted to produce tea, coffee and hot chocolates and all manner of beverage accoutrements of superb quality. You can find Whittard's shops in most towns and cities and also purchase their products via their website; www.whittard.co.uk. Their ceramics are simply divine and I must admit to owning more espresso cups than I strictly need!

*Ceylon Tea and Sri Lanka*

Ceylon tea is a black tea grown in Sri Lanka, (known as Ceylon until 1972). Until the 1860s the main crop of Ceylon, (Sri Lanka), was coffee. In 1869 there was a devastating case of the coffee-rust fungus, Hemileia Vastatrix, which wiped out most of Ceylon's coffee plants. The owners and workers were facing ruin so they had to look for a new crop to survive and they found Ceylon tea.

Ceylon tea bushes flush every seven or eight days and are gathered all year long. The best Ceylon teas are gathered from late June to the late August in eastern districts of Sri Lanka and from the beginning of February to the middle of March in the western areas of Sri Lanka.

Until 1971 over 80% of Sri Lanka's Ceylon plantations were owned by British companies, but in 1971 the Sri Lankan government introduced a Land Reform Act which gave the state control of the majority of the plantations, (which also grow rubber and coconuts), leaving only approximately one-third in private ownership. Since 1990, a restructuring program has been going on to involve the private sector companies as managers of the state-owned plantations.

Whittard's Ceylon tea bags are grown in the hills of Sri Lanka which makes the tea better as the higher tea is grown the better it tastes. The tea that is grown at the highest altitudes is known as "the champagne of tea". There are many different varieties of Ceylon tea but I have not been able to find out which varieties are in the teabags but I suspect it is a blend. Whittard's do sell individual varieties of Ceylon.

Ceylon is a strong, crisp tea with a rich coppery-red colour and it is suitable for people who like milk in their tea although I don't take milk in anything.

*Packaging*

The packaging of Whittard's teas is very pleasant and looks great in the kitchen. The bag is a rich royal blue colour with a navy blue label on the front featuring the Whittard's logo, the name of the tea and a very nice picture of two yellow elephants on a orangey-red background. The label on the back of the packet is also navy blue and features usage instructions, the address, telephone number and website of Whittard's and the ingredients, (Pure Ceylon tea).

*How to Make a Cup of Ceylon*

To make the perfect cup of Ceylon tea; completely empty your kettle and fill with fresh water, (filtered is best but not essential). Warm the teapot using hot water. Add three teabags per 6 cup teapot, 2 for a 4 cup teapot etc. Add the water as soon as it boils. Leave the tea to brew for 3-5 minutes depending on your tastes. Pour the milk into your cup and then add the tea. Sweeten with raw sugar or honey and add milk to taste. You can of course brew the tea in your cup or mug. Warm the cup/mug and add one teabag.

*The Smell of Ceylon*

Ceylon smells really lovely. I could bath in the stuff. The scent is like tea but with a flowery, perfumed edge. I really can't think of the words to describe it, it's just really, really nice. Just the smell alone is refreshing and crisp.

*The Taste Test*

As for the taste, it's pure heaven. It really cleans the palette and I like a cup after a heavy meal, I drink it black so I can't comment on what it's like with milk. My fiancé drinks it with milk and he loves it. I asked him to describe and he said it's like Yorkshire tea only 10 times better. Ceylon manages to be strong but delicate at the same time, you really ought to try it.

*Recipes*

Ceylon is also delicious when used in a variety of recipes. Here a couple of my favourites;

Iced Ceylon:
Mix 50% strong Ceylon tea with 50% cranberry juice and pour over ice, (crushed is best), for a delicious refreshing summertime drink.

Ceylon Dessert:
Pour hot black Ceylon tea over good quality vanilla ice cream for a sophisticated but easy dessert.

Lemon Ceylon:
Pour hot Ceylon tea over fresh lemon slices for a superb lemon tea. This is also great chilled with ice.

*Price*

Whittard's charge a reasonable £2.00 for a packet of 20 teabags or £5.00 for any 3 packets, (120 teabags), in the range. This works out at approximately £1.60 per 100g. The postage from Whittard's website is £

Note: The picture above is wrong, I have included the real picture below. 

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