In the remote southwest of China is one of the world's oldest and most revered tea-producing regions, a land of cloud-straddled foothills and meandering streams: Yunnan. Often called "the birthplace of tea," this province is blessed with fertile soil, abundant rainfall and a mild climate, all of which yield tea plants with large leaves and copious buds. For centuries harvesters here have grown, prepared and exported the finest black tea, and now Tea Forte have combined it with Bulgarian blackberry leaves and essence of black currant to create a truly scrumptious blend. Tea Forte Black Currant Black Tea is a gentle compromise between smooth and sweet, between floral and fruity, with vibrant notes of freshly-picked currant overlaying the mild black base. Sweet and delicious every time! Buy it now in elegant loose leaf canisters containing around 35-50 servings. Steep 1 teaspoon of leaves per 8 ounces of water at 208 F for 3-5 minutes, and you'll create the optimum cup. Leaning more towards iced tea? Use 2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of water instead. These blackberry leaf tea leaves were created by Tea Forte. This company began in Massachusetts in 2003, with a highly stylized product line based on traditional Japanese tea drinking ceremonies, intended to "elevate a cup of tea into an extraordinary experience for all your senses." Today, they present an unparalleled variety of handcrafted teas and tea accessories with sumptuously decorated packaging. Enjoyed in over 35 countries, their products can be found in the most prestigious restaurants, hotels, resorts and luxury retailers, making them ultimate ambassadors of the tea-drinking experience.