Special Focus Teas:
Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary? We at The G.S. Haly Co. think that is most definitely the axiom to live by and so would like to bring your attention to some teas that will make your already special tea selection that much more unique. Please don’t hesitate to request samples.
Focus on Iced Teas
A New Twist on Black Based Iced Tea:
Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary? We at The G.S. Haly Co. think it the axiom to live by and would like to bring your attention to some teas that will make your already special selection that much more unique. Summer’s coming and what better way to celebrate the appearance of flip-flops, bikinis and sunscreen than with some wonderful iced tea suggestions. Two interesting and delicious recommendations for iced tea: Kenyan Kangaita Area Black and South Indian organic Iyerpadi Estate Black.Kenyan Origin Teas:
Kenyan teas are noted for bright, brisk, colory liquors, and The G.S. Haly Co. is pleased to offer several lines. Our Kenyan teas hail from the family farms at the Southeast foothills of Mt. Kenya near Kangaita. Our selection of Kangaita has strength and astringency that takes milk well and are similar to Ceylons in character. The dry leaf ranges from a jet black tightly twisted Orange Pekoe to a more open broad leaf with some tip. Kenyan teas lend themselves well to blending and flavoring as well as making a good component in iced tea blends. Kenyan teas could complement your tea or coffee selection with their bright flavor and unique appearance. Learn more about Kenya’s tea story.Kenyan Kangaita Area Black Teas
This well made orthodox leaf shows the Assamica jat’s heartiness that is used in Kenya. This tea offers a clear, mild cup with a penetrating taste that will show itself in any blend. The brew is heavy with a rich dark reddish brown color and takes ice beautifully. Wonderfully popular for Irish Breakfast blends but works very well to create an iced tea that is clear, crisp and with a great flavor.The G.S. Haly Co. Unique Selection of Iced / Blending Teas:
- Black Kangaita Orange Pekoe - Item: 73 – Standard Min: 42Lbs [Kosher]
- Black Kangaita Flowery Pekoe Whole Leaf - Item: 114 – Standard Min: 40Lbs [Kosher]
**ask about our special price on these teas – limited time offer**
Coimbatore, Niligiri Mt Basin, South India Origin Teas:
South Indian teas are dark, intensely aromatic and have a mellow, light and clean flavor. Growing in the hills and foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains (Blue Mountains) into Coimbatore and near Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the tea gardens are situated among eucalyptus trees, blue gum and cypresses and vary in elevation from 30 to 2000 meters. These teas are hand-plucked throughout the year, however there are two big flushing periods: the first is from April to May and the second from September to December. These are wonderful blending teas as they offer both flavor and body. Learn more about South India’s tea story.Iyerpadi Estate Teas
South Indian teas are known for having a good balance of flavor to cup weight/strength. The G.S. Haly Co. has selected an exceptional estate in the Coimatore area called Iyerapadi that offers teas that exemplify these qualities.Established 1898, this lovely estate is nestled on the picturesque cloud-bathed slopes of the Anamallais, “Hill of the Elephants”. Which is apply named as the estate in also in the midst of Indira Gandhi’s Wildlife Sanctuary, a naturalist’s delight and a habitat for some of the most exotic wildlife including the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque and Great Indian Hornbill. But there is more to Iyerapadi than just rolling hills and wildlife … the tender hand-plucked leaves are cared for with some of the most advanced Organic scientific processes available for tea cultivation. The use of patented FBO (Fertilisation Bio-Organique) developed in France that enables Iyerpadi to nurture a rich soil ecosystem without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals. This certified 100% Organic estate not only believes in treating the Earth well, it also makes sure to treat its people well and as such is Fair Trade Certified. This BOP tea offers a full bodied cup with a nice, heavy mouth feel. The cup tastes sweet and mild cup with just a slight bite for character.
The G.S. Haly Co. Unique Selection of Iced / Blending Teas:
Black Coimbatore Iyerpadi Estate BOP – Item: 6002 – Standard Min: 53Lbs [Kosher, 100% Organic, Fair Trade Optional]
Globe Trekker Passport Teas:
Though all of our stock teas are special and of high quality but occasionally there are truly spectacular, unique and/or very rare teas that shine and deserve special attention. We have created a category for this group of truly exotic and special teas called Globe Trekker Passport Teas.
China
Ancient Beauty Jasmine Oolong– Item: 533211 – Standard Min: 5Lbs [Organic, Fair Trade]
Origin: Jing Mai Mt., Yunnan, China. In Yunnan, likely the most culturally diverse province of China, you find in the Southern tip equa-distant from Laos, Burma and Vietnam the Jing Mai Mountains and its’ wild forest of ancient tea trees. This forest is a national treasure made of trees 1000 years old. The Bulang and Dai hill tribes have enjoyed the area’s teas for more than 1300 years. The particular jat of these tea trees is called Yunnan Da Yeh or Yunnan Broad Leaf and being wild they are unspoiled by machine or chemical cultivation. This is a unique tea that is also certified Fair Trade, 100% Organic and supports an indigenous natural heritage. The tea’s tippy base is unusual as a pairing for jasmine but works wonderfully; to find a heavily oxidized Oolong based jasmine tea is unique. This tea yields a beautiful caramel colored liquor and provides an uncommonly smooth and sweet base that balances with, but is not over-powered by the rich jasmine taste. We suggest using 2 grams for one cup with approximately 2000 water, steeped 4 minutes.
Learn the amazing story behind Jasmine Ancient Beauty Tea.Thailand
Ming Thai Oolong - Item: MTO-05 – Standard Min: 22Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is a lightly oxidized (approximately 10%) Oolong has great qualities across a range of steeping times. Overall the character is mild, with rich nutty notes and a light sweetness with green overtones. This is a very exotic tea. We suggest using 2 grams for one cup with 2000 to boiling water, steeped 3 to 6 minutes.
Learn the amazing story behind Ming Thai Oolong.India
Kopili Estate TGFOP Black - Item: K01100 – Standard Min: 44 or 48Lbs [Kosher, 100% Organic]
Origin: Kopili, Assam, India. The Kopili Tea Estate takes its name from the sacred River which meanders through these Hills of Assam and empties into the Mighty Brahmaputra in the plains. The soil in this region is predominantly similar to Darjeeling. Kopili Tea Estate is located in the Himalayan foothills at an elevation of around 2500 foot above sea level and is comparable to the Mid elevation Estates of Darjeeling. However, the climatic conditions are different from Darjeeling; the temperature being higher than comparable elevations of Darjeeling. The agro-climatic conditions of the region has also imparted a distinct flavor to the teas which are neither comparable to Assam Teas or to Darjeeling Teas of similar elevation. Above all the caffeine content in the teas is also significantly lower than comparable Assam Teas. This tea offers pleasant biscuity/malty aromas and flavors you expect in an Assam, but the surprise is how fruity this tea manages to be. The grape-like fruit aroma and taste really brightens the cup. Learn the amazing story behind the Kopili Estate.Indian Assam Kopili Estate Blend TGFOP Black – Item: 1169 – Standard Min: 44Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Kopili, Assam, N. India. It is the highest grown Assam on par with some Darjeeling estate elevations. This tea is a whole unbroken leaf. The caffeine content in the teas is also significantly lower than comparable Assam Teas. This high-grown tea offers a mild and flavorful cup that allows it to be a genuine self-drinking Assam. Learn the amazing story behind the Kopili Estate.Nepal Maloom Estate FTGFOP1 Black - Item: NP033 – Standard Min: 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Maloom, Ilam, Nepal. This Ilam District tea estate started in 1982 and takes its namesake after the quaint village of nearly 800 nearby, out of which nearly 300 are engaged in the production of tea. The estate and the village are rustic, pollution free and full of a natural and timeless beauty. That being said, tea has been good to this tiny community and helped the villagers have health facilities, post office, school, bank and villager-run shops. The estate’s slopes range from 3500 to 5500 feet above sea level and totals approximately 200 hectares. As the estate is small, its total annual production is also limited to about 40 tons. Being located so close to Darjeeling, the Maloom estate produces tea with a piquant, aromatic Darjeeling-like character. Learn more about Nepal unique tea culture and history.
Special Reserve Organic Jasmine Ancient Beauty Tea – A Tea Story
The Tea Time Forgot – The Story of the Jing Mai Mountain’s Ancient Tea Forest
Like a fantastic legend the story of this tea is almost mystical. In Yunnan, likely the most culturally diverse province of China, you find in the Southern tip equa-distant from Laos, Burma and Vietnam the Jing Mai Mountain and its’ wild forest of ancient tea trees. This forest is a national treasure made of trees 1000 years old. The Bulang and Dai hill tribes have enjoyed the area’s teas for more than 1300 years.
This is one of the world’s tea treasures as it is one of the most well preserved large wild organic tea plantations. The forest is situated at about 5000 feet above sea level and contains ancient tea trees spanning heights of up to 50 feet. Enshrouded in mist throughout the year, the Ancient Organic Tea Plantation has continued to flourish from the time of the beginning of the Chinese Sung Dynasty or European Middle Ages to the present due in part to the area’s fertile soil, good climate, lack of pollutants and remoteness from modern cities. Although the plantation contains an area of about 32,000 acres, the actual area that is harvested for tea amounts to roughly 10,000 acres.
The leaves from the tea trees bud early in the year. This particular jat of these tea trees is called Yunnan Da Yeh or Yunnan Broad Leaf and, being wild, they are unspoiled by machine or chemical cultivation. The leaves are soft and thick, revealing a special white hair-like tip. There are well over one hundred of varieties of teas produced from the trees of this plantation: Jasmine Green, Ancient Emerald, Osmanthus, Silver White Needle, Lung Ching, Pu-erh and many more. These teas are hand cultivated in small lots to ensure sustainability.
Preservation of this tea forest is a priority and continues to be funded through eco-tourism and Fair Trade support. Additionally all of the teas are OCIA, NOP, JAS and EU Organic certified. Made up of members of the various tribes/growers/producers of the area, the Jing Mai Manling Ancient Tea Association is certified FLO / Fair Trade by TransFair USA.
The Organic Jasmine Ancient Beauty is also known as “White Tip,” and has leaves that are smaller and fat with a curly stem. This highly oxidized Oolong is produced in extremely small quantities and entirely by hand. The dry leaf is tippy and curled. Its color is marbled ranging from cream, tan, medium- to dark browns, gray and brown/black. It has a clear amber to caramel orange colored liquor. The Jasmine adds a sweet distinct honey-like fragrance. The quality of the base tea does not get over-powered by the Jasmine and balances together nicely if brewed for 4 minutes. Such a wonderful self-drinking tea that can delight the body, mind and heart is rare indeed.
Special Reserve Ming Thai Oolong - A Tea Story
Tempest in a Thai Pot: The Story of Thai Tea
Few people in the world are familiar with tea from Thailand. The ones that are might tell you that it is an anise-flavored sweet red beverage found in Thai restaurants. With the introduction of Ming Thai Oolong, we hope to reveal a quality tea that will rival the best Oolongs from China and Taiwan.
The tea farmers of northern Thailand produce Oolong teas in the Formosa Tung Ting style, typically a tightly rolled green finished leaf. These teas have a profound aroma and flavor, ranging from a vegetal spicy/rich, to a flowery/sweet cup. However, due to climate, soil, and cultural differences, Thai teas have their own unique and very desirable characteristics.
The tea plant is native to northern Thailand, but the Thais themselves do not have a long established tea drinking tradition. Thailand and its close neighbor Burma do have a tea eating tradition however. An ancient recipe calls for green tea leaves pickled in brine, which is eaten as a vegetable. The salty, tart, slightly bitter pickle that results called Miang in the local dialect, is a strange tea to Western tastes. Not your typical cuppa.
The relatively recent story of how steeped tea came to Thailand is rather fascinating, including a bit of history that touches upon the Chinese revolution of 1949 and the Cold War period.
In late 1949 a portion of Chiang-kei Shek's Nationalist Army in Yunnan (called the Guo-min-dang, or KMT) became separated form the main force. In the meantime, the defeated Nationalist Army fled to Taiwan, leaving behind the separated "Lone Army" of former Yunnan KMT regulars. Isolated but not dispirited, these soldiers led guerilla raids against the People's Liberation Army. Eventually however, they were driven south into Burma, where they continued to harass the Communists. In 1960-1961, they were driven out of Burma into northern Thailand, where their assimilation was only partially complete.
For decades, displaced KMT warriors ran illegal operations in the Golden Triangle: gem and drug smuggling, black marketing and similar activities. Eventually, through education in government schools and innovative programs such as the Royal Project for Crop Replacement, which offered alternative (legitimate) livelihoods, a new generation of immigrants assimilated culturally and economically into Thai society. Tea farming was one of the legal options. Coming from China's Yunnan Province, the homeland of tea, naturally tea growing and tea making was one of the new economic activities chosen by the new Thais. The first tea plants were imported from China and Taiwan and introduced into the highlands of Chiangrai Province in the late 1980's. The Taiwanese Tea Grower's Association, wanting to support their former KMT compatriots, sent tea experts in to provide technical agricultural support to the fledgling growers. Two clonal tea varieties, know locally as No. 12 and No. 17 (ber sip-song & ber sup-jet in Thai), were widely planted bringing about more consistent leaf quality, greater productivity and resistance to disease.
Today, what began as a primitive Chinese enclave engrossed in illegal activities in the hills surrounding Mae Salong Village, has now become a legitimate, cohesive, economic community, dotted with independent tea gardens producing Oolong tea. It is a beautiful, cool tea village and a vibrant rural economy, with its own schools, small hotels, Chinese and Thai restaurants, and regrettably, its own convenience stores and video arcades as well.
The style of tea produced in the tea village is predominately the classic Formosa type. A tightly rolled, gray-green to greenish partially oxidized leaf produced in the style of Tung Ting, in Taiwan's Nantou Province. The tea produced in Mae Salong sells well in the local Thai tea market and is sought after by Thai hotels, spas, and food stores. A portion of the best leaf is exported to Europe, notably to Mariage Freres, Paris, and to the Taiwan market. It is still virtually unknown in the U.S.
Common to most stories about the spread of tea, Thai tea found its roots in the midst of war, but a civil, rather than a colonial war. Thai tea was not established by a colonial power attempting to exploit natural resources and cheap labor. It was established in the hills by the progeny of a defeated force, retreating from the victorious Communist PLA forces. This is a unique bit of history, a fascinating side bar, as tea frequently is, to the machinations of the world's nation-states. On one hand it amounts to no more than a cup of tea, a tempest in a teapot. On the other, it is momentous and awe-inspiring.
The G.S. Haly Co. is proud to support these family-owned estates of Thai tea growers who are trying to preserve Thailand's legacy of traditional agriculture and organic farming.
Special Reserve Kopili Estate - A Tea Story
The Highest Tea of Assam: The Story of Kopili Organic Tea
The East India Company, after losing the tea trade with China, started exploring the possibilities of cultivation of tea in British India, a colony of the then British Empire as early as 1600’s. However, commercial cultivation of tea in India began around only in 1837 following the discovery of indigenous tea plant in Upper Assam in the year1823 by the Bruce Brothers. The first tea estate established was CHABUWA (CHA - BUWA meaning “Cultivation of Tea”) in the year 1836. Large-scale tea cultivation was taken up after 1857 and by 1900 almost all suitable land in the Assam Valley was brought under tea. Simultaneously, cultivation of tea was also extended to Darjeeling Hills and Dooars region (Himalayan foothills) of Bengal, the Surma Valley as well as South India. The then British Planters, who braved all adversities, however avoided planting of tea in the hilly regions of North East India, primarily because of inaccessible terrain, thick forest cover, hard living conditions and mainly due to scarcity of workers, who were imported into N.E. India unlike where the manpower is locally available.
After nearly one and half century of commercial cultivation of tea in India, for the first time in 1992, attempts were made to initiate cultivation of tea in the Himalayan foothills of Assam which was hitherto had remained unexplored. The fruit of this endeavor is today the Kopili Tea Estate. It is the only estate located on the Himalayan foothills within Assam at an elevation of 2500 ft. All other Assam gardens are at a maximum height of 150-200 ft. with some being below sea level.
The Kopili Tea Estate takes its name from the sacred River that meanders through these Hills of Assam and empties into the Mighty Brahmaputra in the plains. Legend says that the Great King of Dimasa tribe in long past years visited all sacred places in the Himalayas seeking blessings of the deity in those remote religious spots, so that an heir to the throne is gifted by god. He was told, "In your Kingdom, O Noble King, flowing over great rocks lays the Kopili River amidst the serene dark green forests laden with the purity of atmosphere and echoing with the pleasing sounds of white pigeons calling each other. Go and wash yourself in its cool sacred waters and your desire will be fulfilled". The King did as he was told and lo and behold! The Queen gave birth to a son and whole of the Kingdom rejoiced.
In addition to spectacular water, the soils are rich in mineral content as well as organic matter. The entire District is still covered with lush evergreen rain forests with very low population density (35 people per Sq.Km. as per 1991 census).
The Kopili Tea Estate is located in the Himalayan foothills at an elevation of around 2500 ft above sea level and is comparable to the mid elevation Estates of Darjeeling. However, the climatic conditions are different from Darjeeling: the temperature is higher.
This lush combination of unspoiled virgin land, fragrant water, rich organic soil, altitude and higher temperature come together to give the teas of Kopili a uniqueness all their own. Like Champagne from France and Darjeeling Tea from the hills of Darjeeling, the likes of Kopili tea can be produced only in the close vicinities of the hot water springs at Garampani.
Kopili Tea is neither Darjeeling nor Assam and is a fusion of the brighter aspects of both Darjeeling and Assam teas. Teas are being produced from latest improved planting materials. The theaflavinin (TF) and thearubigin (TR) content in the teas is in between the levels of Darjeeling and Assam, which imparts comparatively thinner liquors than Assam teas but stronger than their Darjeeling counterpart. Above all the caffeine content in the teas is also significantly lower than comparable Assam Teas.
Teas from the Kopili estate are Certified Organic by IMO, Switzerland in accordance with USDA NOP and EC standards.
Kopili Tea Estate, covering an area of 4000 acres is located in Umrangshu at an elevation of around 2500 feet above Sea level. Kopili is the only estate in Assam located at such a high altitude; all other Assam gardens are at a maximum height of 150-200 ft. with some being below sea level. Surrounded by dense forests that have been preserved to maintain the ecological balance, the Kopili teas benefit from the close proximity to the hot water springs – Garampani.
Kopili produces 100% high grown Assam orthodox teas. All its bushes are high quality clones and less than 12 years old. This along with the distinct soil and climatic conditions of the region combine with special manufacturing techniques to produce a unique cup. It has the familiar and pleasant biscuity/malty aromas and flavors you would expect in an Assam, but the surprise is how fruity this tea manages to be. The grape-like fruit aroma and taste really brightens the cup.
The G.S. Haly Co. invites you to sample this truly different and special Assam.
Special Reserve Nepal Maloom Estate - A Tea Story
Tea from the Top of the World: The Story of Nepalese Tea
Tea plantations date back to the year 1861, when Mr. Gajaraj Singh Thapa, the Chief Administrator of Ilam district and brother-in-law of the Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana, returned from a visit to China with tea plants. Rana placed the first tea garden on what is now the 50-hectare Ilam Tea Estate.
From this small beginning, Nepal currently has over 15,000 hectares under tea cultivation. Hill plantations are estimated at 3,400 hectares and consist of more than 40 tea gardens. Hill-grown tea is exclusively processed for orthodox (full-leaf plucked by hand) tea and exported overseas. Nepalese orthodox teas, which are produced at altitudes between 3,00 – 7,000 ft, are famous for their aroma, bright liquor and subtle, slightly fruity flavor, tasting very similar to Darjeeling teas.
Nepalese tea is finally starting to come into its own standing. Recently limited amounts from a few estates are now harvested and processed for the rare beauty that they are. Historically Nepalese tea would find its way into the back rooms of Calcutta where it would be used to blend into Darjeelings and thus expand the amount sold as a 100% “Darjeeling” blend.
With the advantage of diverse agro-climatic methods and eco-friendly cultivation methods (little or no inorganic fertilizers and pesticides), Nepal is producing very good quality tea that is 100% Organic as well. With all these positive attributes a hand-full of gardens are now producing whole leaf orthodox teas. The G.S. Haly Co. takes pleasure in introducing you to our pick of the Maloom Estate FTGFOP1.
The Maloom District tea estate started in 1982 and takes its namesake after the quaint village of nearly 800 nearby, out of which nearly 300 are engaged in the production of tea. The estate and the village are rustic, pollution free and full of a natural and timeless beauty. That being said, tea has been good to this tiny community and helped the villagers have health facilities, post office, school, bank and villager-run shops. The estate’s slopes range from 3500 to 5500 feet above sea level and totals approximately 200 hectares. As the estate is small, its total annual production is also limited to about 40 tons.
Being located so close to Darjeeling, the Maloom estate produces tea with a piquant, aromatic Darjeeling-like character. This Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1 tea will be delightful enjoyed straight or with a touch of milk and sugar.
Nepal Maloom Estate FTGFOP1 - Item: NP033 – Standard Min: 11Lbs [Kosher]
Origin: Maloom, Ilam, Nepal. This Ilam District tea estate started in 1982 and takes its namesake after the quaint village of nearly 800 nearby, out of which nearly 300 are engaged in the production of tea. The estate and the village are rustic, pollution free and full of a natural and timeless beauty. That being said, tea has been good to this tiny community and helped the villagers have health facilities, post office, school, bank and villager-run shops. The estate’s slopes range from 3500 to 5500 feet above sea level and totals approximately 200 hectares. As the estate is small, its total annual production is also limited to about 40 tons. Being located so close to Darjeeling, the Maloom estate produces tea with a piquant, aromatic Darjeeling-like character.
