Country of Origin: India, Kenya
Region: Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, and Uva
Shipping Port: Calcutta and Cochin, Mombasa
Grade: BP (Broken Pekoe)
Altitude: 1000 - 5900 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: CTC
Cup Characteristics: Full bodied tea enhances South
Indian masala spices.  The finish has cardamom notes
peeking out from lively ginger.  Superb with milk and sugar.
Infusion: Coppery bright - especially enticing with milk
Ingredients: Luxury black Tea, Ginger, Cardamom, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves, Black
Pepper.

Information: The ancient city of Cochin is one of Southern India’s most important. It is for
this reason that the city is sometimes referred to as the Gateway of Southern India.
Throughout the centuries, the city, which is situated in the state of Kerala, came under the
rule of many different masters. First came the exotically named Zamorin of Kozhikode
(Calicut). It is believed however that the name of the city derives from the Chinese word
“kochi”, given to the city by its next ruler, the great Kublai Khan.

Cochin however first came to prominence during the rule of the Portuguese around 1530.
Their empire at the time was one of the world’s most powerful and under their tenure
Cochin developed into a very prosperous trading centre. After the Portuguese came Dutch
rule in the mid 17th century, followed by the British, and finally, after Indian independence,
Indian rule.

One can imagine that is because of this mix of cultures that Cochin subsequently became
famous for a mixture of its own, Cochin Masala - a mixture of coconut, ground red chilies,
dal, coriander, and turmeric. Cochin Masala is a cooking staple in Southern India and is
used to flavor curries of all sorts. It is with high regard for the long history of this ancient city
that we present this wonderful chai, one of India’s most popular beverages. Traditionally
this chai would be brewed using milk instead of water. The same effect however, can be
created by brewing your tea in the usual fashion and adding warm milk. Brew yourself a
cup and be spiritually transported to old Cochin - truly superb tea.

IMPORTANT: Turn your bag of Chai upside down a few times. The powdered spices can
settle at the bottom of the bag during transit.

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 heaping
teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover
and let steep for 5-10 minutes (for true chai steep at least 7 minutes). While the tea is
brewing prepare your cup to receive the chai – put 2 teaspoons of sugar in the cup and add
milk (about 20%) of the cup’s volume. When the chai is ready – pour into your cup.

Iced tea-brewing method: (to make 1 quart): Place 6 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, milk, sugar 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].
50 grams $5.00
100 grams $10.00
shop
health
ethical tea
recipes
traditions and history
brewing tea
About Camille's Tea:
Camille's Tea, based in the San Antonio, Texas area, offers a wide variety of gourmet teas, including flavored teas, traditional teas, green teas,
herbal teas, decaffeinated teas, decaf teas, caffeine free teas, and iced teas, and lavender, Shea butter, Chantal teapots, Lomonosov teapots, tea
infusers, tea accessories, Bearington Bears, tea linens, neck warmers, Herbal Concepts slippers and eye pacs, and Pre de Provence bath and
body products.  We also feature multiple tea of the month clubs.  Read more >>
To pay by check or money order,  email camille@camillestea.com.