11.01.2007 : Tea of the Month for November - Russian Caravan
Tea: Black Tea, Blended
Aroma: Bold
Flavor: Smoky
In The Cup
Traditionally enjoyed with a bit of sugar and a splash of milk, this full-flavored Chinese black tea brews up bold and strong, captivating the spirit with its memorable fragrance, subtle smoky note, and remarkable taste.
A black tea blend unlike any other, Xanadu® Russian Caravan recreates the fabled dark teas of the Czars.
The Imperial Czars of Russia had a love of fine teas. However, their fleets of merchant ships were trapped most of the year in ice-bound ports, and they were unable to travel to the Orient to barter for tea. Despite this disadvantage, they ingeniously devised a means of securing their newly beloved beverage.
In a bold move, Imperial Russian camel caravans were sent overland across Asia and through the Gobi desert, directly to the heart of the tea producing provinces of Eastern China. With the successful return of this first caravan, the Czars began sending out a new caravan each spring when the snows began melting. Each caravan trip took 16 months to complete and covered a round trip distance on foot of 11,000 miles, a distance equaling a trip halfway around the world at the equator!
During the long journey to the Czar's table, the Russian Caravan teas would experience an incredible mixing and mellowing of flavors. Additionally, as the wind blew the smoke from the cooking fires each night, the tea acquired a subtle smoky note.
