Metropolitan Tea

HUNWAL GBOP

Hunwal is a tea estate belonging to and managed by George Willamson Assam Ltd - the world’s largest privately held tea plantation group. Hunwal is situated on the south side of the Brahmaputra River in the state of Assam near a remote region called Nagaland. From time to time there are problems with guerrillas coming across the border from Burma. Additionally, wild elephants still roam the estate, but it could be worse;  a century ago headhunters also lurked in the forests! In this area rainfall is lower which makes the bushes grow more slowly, the soil is sandy volcanic and because of the slightly higher altitude the temperatures are cooler - all conditions which are perfect for outstanding tea. This well-made slightly smallish orthodox leaf tea produces a full bodied colory and flavorful cup.

You might ask - What gives Assam tea its special characteristics? The Assam valley is dominated by the Brahmaputra River - a large slow meandering river which over millennia of fall flooding has deposited a rich loam over the valley. The soil is deep and sandy and the region suffers a very hot and steamy monsoon season, but equally important a relatively dry and cool winter.

Select Quantity of Loose Tea for Purchase:

    8oz bag Hunwal GBOP........$10.99
     16oz Bag Hunwal GBOP.....$18.99
      4oz Tin Hunwal GBOP ......$8.99
Click this button to add item to cart >>>         

Hot tea brewing method:  Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea  for each cup into 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). Even though milk and a dash of sugar help capture the malty character of this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea ‘straight-up’

Iced tea brewing method:  (to make 1 liter/quart):  Place 5 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. 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 double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water]. Please note that this tea may tend to go cloudy or ‘milky’ when poured over ice; a perfectly normal characteristic of some high quality black teas and nothing to worry about!