|
|
|
Information: Versailles. The very mention of the famous chateau built by the King of France Louis XIV conjures up dreams of unbelievable opulence. Early in his reign, he moved his royal court from Paris to the countryside and began construction on the chateau. Work on the structure began in 1664 and continued almost until his death in 1715. Why did it take so long, you ask? Well, Versailles is big – very big. The chateau has more than 2,000 windows, 700 rooms filled with thousands of paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and pieces of furniture, 1250 fireplaces, 67 staircases and is surrounded by more than 1,800 acres of parkland. Louis XIV’s life in the palace was extremely regimented. Nothing was left to chance since as King, he was considered second only to God, and deserved only the best. Subsequently, at Versailles, there were rules for everything. (This is where the inspiration for this tea blend comes in.) Louis XIV was always known for his fondness for fresh lavender from the French countryside. He was so fond of it that he demanded to be bathed in lavender scented water every morning. So, when it came time to blend a tea in honor of this ancient royal, it only seemed fitting to blend it with the King’s favorite flower. When brewed, this tea has a delicate floral bouquet that compliments the citrus character of Earl Grey’s bergamot beautifully. Hot Brewing Method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to just before a boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cut in the teapot. Pour your hot water over the leaves. Let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (The longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). Add milk and sugar to taste. Iced Tea Brewing Method: Place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of very hot water over to tea, steep for 5 minutes. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and garnish and sweeten to taste if desired.
|