National Park Teas - Yellowstone
Blender's Notes:
"However orderly your excursions or aimless, again and again amid the calmest, stillest scenery you will be brought to a standstill hushed and awe-stricken before phenomena wholly new to you" -John Muir on Yellowstone.
After multiple explorations, it was decided that the unique geothermal properties of the area, now known as Yellowstone National Park, needed to be preserved. In 1872, President Grant signed a protection act in order to begin the preservation process, making Yellowstone the first official US national park. The National Park Service was not yet created, so the US Army took over responsibility of Yellowstone in order to strengthen and enforce regulations. Unfortunately, the Army was unable to effectively prevent poaching, especially of the nation's now oldest and largest public bison herd, and they also lacked the knowledge of the area that visitors craved. With the help of some influential conservationists, such as Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, Woodrow Wilson, and many others, the National Park Service was created in 1916 with the top priority being preservation and appreciation for nature. In 1929, the same year Simpson & Vail was incorporated, Yellowstone received a boundary adjustment made to include a significant area of petrified trees (fossilized vegetation). Followed by a final boundary adjustment, in 1932, creating the final borders of the first US National Park that millions of people visit today.
I found this a challenging blend to create. Not only is Yellowstone widely known, but Wyoming itself is one of my favorite places. So, representing my love for this area and the beauty of this famous park gave me pause. Ultimately, I decided to not only represent flora in the park, but also the visual delights found here. The multitude of colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring are shown within the blend, along with prickly pear flavoring for the cacti that grow in and around the park. To top it off I added a hint of bergamot to represent the "wild bergamot" flowers in the park. The resulting cup is fruity and flavorful with a sweet, creamy, prickly pear flavor and an underlying bergamot taste.
Ingredients: Black teas, prickly pear flavor, safflower, blue cornflower petals, strawberry pieces, oatstraw, and natural bergamot oil.
Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
4 Ounces of loose tea makes approximately 50 cups of tea.
Simpson & Vail donates 10% of all tea sales in this line to help preserve our beautiful National Parks. The percentage from Yellowstone tea sales goes to Yellowstone Forever, the official non-profit of the park. Yellowstone Forever's mission of engagement and support through philanthropy and education for the park will ensure Yellowstone remains for generations to come.