Fair Trade Tea

Happy October Fellow Art of Tea Drinkers! Join us on a journey of knowledge and appreciation this month as we raise our tea cups in honor of Fair Trade month! As I write this newsletter, I am enjoying a nice cup of our yummy Egyptian Chamomile tisane, which just so happens to be one of our featured fair trade teas this month…exciting! As I gently sip my hot cup of chamomile flavored goodness, it has me wondering about how many of us have actually stopped to think about where the tea we drink actually comes from and how that impacts our society and the world we live in.

Here are just a few reasons why fair trade practices are so important to Art of Tea. Fair trade practices help producers in under-developed countries have greater opportunities to acquire the resources they need to improve their livelihood. Sustainable development protects against land loss by promoting environmentally friendly processes which in turn creates a healthy working environment for producers. Fair trade practices also promote fair wages for workers, gender equality and fights against child labor. Pretty cool huh?

So the next time you reach for your cup of tea, take comfort in the fact that Art of Tea is on a determined path to make sure that each one of their ingredients will someday be sourced solely from sustainable fair trade practices.

With Halloween looming on the horizon things are getting just a little spookier – giggles turn into evil cackles, black cats abound, brooms become flying vehicles, and paranormal activity is at an all time high. If you’re anything like me, all this creepiness has distracted you from putting together the ultimate costume. Not to fear, Art of Tea to the rescue, just take cues from some of our brews. Here for your pleasure, four costume ideas inspired by our blends:

1. Art of Tea’s Rooibos Chai and Tali’s Masala Chai are two spicy numbers: infused with cinnamon, cardamon, cloves, and ginger they’re the perfect point of inspiration for an equally spicy costume. You can go the sassy route (the devil, a nurse) but remember, there is a very fine line between sassy and trashy. Get creative and dress up as a pepper shaker or even better, a chili. Assemble a crew and have each of your cohorts dress up as the spice of their choice – cinnamon, cardamon, clove, or ginger – it’ll be the hottest thing since the Fruit of the Loom crew.

2. Instead of whipping up a bowl of “blood punch” try something a little different:
brew Kauai Cocktail or Wild Red Tian Hu Shan tea– both brew a rich red color, which will surely delight both your vampire and zombie friends.

3. Art of Tea’s Ammo blend – hand tied cinnamon bark with star anise and licorice –
is the perfect complement to that Rambo costume you’ve been meaning to resurrect. After all, what would Rambo be without his Ammo?

4. Iron Goddess of Mercy: that’s right. I know it sounds a little intense but with some careful planning your costume will turn out as balanced as Art of Tea’s blend of the same name.  Take some cues from the tea’s description: steeps an amber colored infusion with a full body and distinctive rich flavor notes of dark chocolate with hints of roasted chestnut and sun drenched raisins. I’m envisioning something like the Statue of Liberty but darker.

We take a look at Art of Tea’s relationship with the manufacturer of their iced tea equipment, Wilbur Curtis, a leader in the commercial foodservice beverage equipment industry for over 60 years.