GOING GREY!
The snow has finally gone and the ‘Beast from the East’ has subsided. No longer are we huddling in front of the fire, putting hot water bottles under our jumpers and tobogganing to work. Our mild, grey mornings with intermittent rain showers and sunless afternoons now appear somewhat welcome; there’s no need to hack at the car with ice picks before setting off in the morning, and no immediate threat of turning into Bambi on ice when braving the pavements. And as I write this, on a thrilling rail replacement bus service, that big orange thing in the sky has even dared to make an appearance, poking its face through a cumulus nimbus, hinting playfully at the promise of weeks to come.
All this excitement calls for a celebration. And what better way to celebrate than with a warm, delicious, cosy and Hoogly cup of tea?! This week our feature brew is Earl Grey black tea, our riff on the classic favourite, which we think you’ll go potty for. Perfect as an accompaniment for breakfast and just as good as a treat or pick-me-up throughout the day, our Earl Grey is a thrilling combination of Sri Lankan black tea and natural bergamot oil, infused with zesty lemon peel and sweet orange blossom. The seductive citrus scent is a joy for the nostrils, and the unique taste will have you racing back to the kettle for more!
The assumption is that Earl Grey is named after Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, Prime Minister of Britain in the 1830s, who was given a diplomatic gift of tea flavoured with bergamot oil by the Chinese. There are stories—not known to be verified—about a Chinese mandarin gifting Grey the tea after one of Grey’s men rescued the mandarin’s son from drowning, but it has to be taken with a pinch of salt as Grey never set foot in China. It would be nice to think, though, that this delightful blend had such a heroic start to its glorious life in England!
Whether you’re a Prime Minister, a mandarin or simply a tea enthusiast, there are certain rules to follow if you want to make the most of your brew. Here’s our Hoogly step-by-step guide to making the perfect Earl Grey cuppa: Start with fresh, cold water—never pre-boiled water that has been left to cool and subsequently re-boiled. Next, heat the water to 208˚ Fahrenheit, or just under boiling point. Before you pour, warm the pot or mug! This is an important one: when hot water is poured into a cold environment it will cool quicker, which doesn’t allow proper and consistent steeping of the blend. Simply pour hot water in, swirl, and pour away. Finally, experiment with how long you want to steep—or brew—the tea. It’s different for different brews—and different tastes—but once you’ve found your style, you’ll soon be in Hoogly heaven!
Now you’ve got your tea, it’s time to get Hoogly. Get your friends or family over, pull on your comfiest, loungiest clothes, crack out the cakes, bakes and sweets and have a super-chilled evening of light chit-chat, board games and digital detox! This is what our company ethos Hygge is all about, and it’s the perfect way to shed your stress, ditch your dramas and unwind. And with our uniquely delicious Earl Grey blend at your side, you’ll soon be as calm, cosy and contented—just like all those delightful Danes!
www.hooglytea.com
Written by Chris Bedford!