RIDEAU HALL LOOSE TEA
STRONG
A superb blend of Ceylon, Darjeeling, Himalayan, Assam and Yunnan black teas, blended and named with national pride for the Governor General's official residence in Ottawa, Canada.
Originally blended: 1980's
| Rideau Hall Tea - Loose 2oz/56g |
$7.85 |
|
| Rideau Hall Tea - Loose 4oz/113g |
$13.50 |
|
| Rideau Hall Tea - Loose 8oz/227g |
$23.65 |
|
| Rideau Hall Tea - Loose 16oz/454g |
$42.95 |
|
SOURCED, BLENDED AND PACKAGED IN-HOUSE
PRICES LISTED IN CANADIAN DOLLARS (CAD)
A superb blend of Uva Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka combined with Darjeeling from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, Himalayan Tea from eastern Nepal, rich Assam from Northern India and full-bodied Yunnan from the genesis of tea in China. A sweet dessert-wine fragrance completes the experience.
Blended and named for the Governor General's official residence in Ottawa, this tea is served at all the residence's special occasion.
| Caffeine | Caffeinated |
|---|---|
| Cup Strength | Strong |
| Origin | Blend |
| Tea Format | Loose Tea |
| Type | Black |
My afternoon cup Review by ['Acuitea']
I am embarrassed to admit I first tried this blend in the smallest 2oz amount as a challenge; who could possibly successfully blend teas with such wildly different characteristics as Darjeeling and Ceylon? All the subtlety of Darjeeling, Himalayan, and Yunnan couldn’t possibly stand up to the brash assault of a (delicious) Assam or Ceylon. When it arrived, I made a cup with full confidence that Murchies had just thrown together a laundry list of nice tea varieties in the hopes that they would attract people just by naming every tea people might want to try, regardless of how they interact. That first cup was far too strong. Of course, I thought: this tea can’t work, because the steep times for each type are so different. I was still feeling like I was right. Then I made another cup with a very short steep. And realized I was completely wrong. Murchies has made such a nice blend with this tea. The garden fresh taste of the Darjeeling and Himalayan teas gets a subtle but pleasant twist with the Yunnan, Assam and Ceylon. It has become my last tea of the day in the mid-afternoon, when I want a light, comforting cup that isn’t too strong, but has plenty of flavour and interest. I steep for 1.5 minutes, sometimes even less, and love it that way. Perhaps others who want the darker teas to shine like a longer steep… I think the Yunnan shows its face more when steeped longer. The Assam starts to take over too much for my tastes when steeped too long, but for those who take sugar or milk, perhaps that would work well for them. Now I’m hooked, caught by my own haughty challenge. At least the tea is remarkably affordable relative to, say, a fine single estate Darjeeling that I would have had instead. A great value on a delicious and surprising blend; a tour of Asia in a single cup.
Posted on 2023-01-28Lovely tea Review by Peggy
What a perfectly lovely tea! I think I may even prefer it to Darjeeling; it's at least a draw.
Posted on 2022-06-29So nice! Review by Karen
Rideau is one of my favourites. I like almost any blend that has Darjeeling in it and this is no exception. Its a lovely tea with good depth, nice florals with a solid base of Assam, Yunnan and Ceylon. It also has the Himalayan tea in it. Another yum from Murchies!
Posted on 2014-12-01Write your Own Review
You're reviewing: Rideau Hall Loose Tea
Steeping the Best (Guide)
Different types of teas should be steeped according to certain times and water temperatures to bring out their best flavours. Use this guide as a starting point, and then experiment until you find the perfect brewing method for your favourite tea.
Based on approximately one level teaspoon (2.5 g) of loose tea or one tea bag per 6-8 ounce (180-240 mL) cup. For stronger flavour, add more tea. Brewing for longer may increase the strength of the tea, but will likely also cause bitterness.
Tea Bags vs. Loose Tea
While our tea bags and loose tea are crafted to match the same flavour profile, there are discernable effects between the two formats. Namely, the leaves inside tea bags is milled, making it much finer and a quicker brew, while loose tea can take a couple minutes longer to steep. Tea bags are very convenient, but loose tea can be more visually appealing and brewed with a reusable infuser.
- Tea bags: steep for 3 - 4 minutes
- Loose tea: steep for 4 - 5 minutes
General Steeping Temperatures
The table included here shows some general guidelines for steeping different kinds of tea. Be mindful that some teas, even two from the same category, will brew differently than others. In particular, our green-black blends will often have different ratios of green and black teas - the more green-leaning ones should be brewed at a lower temperature range. Experimentation is highly encouraged, as tea is very much a matter of personal taste.
Puerh and oolong teas are often steeped multiple times for a shorter period of time in smaller brewing vessels. This method creates a curious exploration of the tea as it unfurls, developing new flavours with each subsequent brew - often making for great social conversation.
If you're unsure, try steeping in the middle range for your tea type. If the result is too bitter, steep at a lower temperature or for a shorter time. If the result is flat, try a higher temperature.