Organic Tea.
With increasing concern about the environment and increasing health consciousness, the demand for organic products is on the rise.
People in the U.S. don't consume tea in the same quantities as elsewhere in the world but this is a trend that is changing rapidly as Americans are seeking healthier beverages. According to Organic and Natural News, natural and organic teas in natural stores posted sales of $120.9 million for the 12 months ending February 2000. Sales in mainstream stores were almost three times that dollar amount, at $334.3 million. In fact, approximately half of the U.S. population is drinking one or more more cups of tea each day, according to Brian Keating, author of the U.S. Tea is Hot Report.

With these numbers, retailers should devote plenty of energy to their tea programs, especially in the natural/organic segment. Shoppers of natural and organic products love their tea: according to the Natural Marketing Institute, natural product shoppers are 10% more likely than conventional shoppers to purchase tea and 85% of natural shoppers are extremely satisfied with current product offerings in this category.

Because of this, your staff should be educated as to the differences between teas, as well as any health and nutritional benefits. An overview: The generic term "tea" refers to a class of beverages featuring the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal components, or a combination of both. Actual tea, whether green, black, white, or oolong is sourced from C. sinensis; the differences are in their processing, which also contribute to their varying health properties. Green tea is cured immediately after picking; black tea is fermented and cured; white, which is the least processed of all teas, is dried and fired immediately after picking; oolong is semi-fermented.

Organic Tea is tea produced without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Grown with a holistic approach that reflects sensitivity toward environmental concerns, organic tea has health benefits as well as ecological advantages. The nature-friendly practices used boost the regenerative capacity of the soil while assuring long-term fertility. Use of renewable sources of energy with an aim to maintaining harmony with nature is another practice associated with organic farming.

Given the absence of any residues of hazardous chemicals, the health benefits of organic products is indisputable. With increasing concern about the environment and increasing health consciousness, the demand for organic products is on the rise. As the sales numbers show, the demand for tea - especially organic tea - is not just a passing health fad. With word of the health benefits of all tea - organic and conventional - we can expect those sales numbers to increase dramatically.

Flavonoids are natural chemicals found abundantly in plants, especially in tea. According to the British Heart Foundation, flavonoids have potent antioxidant properties and may reduce the levels of the harmful type of cholesterol. Flavonoids also stop the blood platelets sticking together and reduce the risk of a clot. They may also stabilize nucleic acid (this in turn may reduce the potential risk of cancer), and help the immune system to function better. They may also help prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease.

The tea we drink today is virtually unchanged from that which Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung discovered in 2737 B.C. Like many great discoveries, the Emperor's first brush with tea was purely serendipitous. According to legend, Shen-Nung was boiling a kettle of water in his terrace when the wind blew a few errant tea leaves into the kettle. The curious Emperor sampled the steaming liquid. He delighted in its pleasing aroma and pleasant taste, and soon the taste for tea spread to Japan and other Far East countries. Eventually, this fondness for tea spread to the British, who have passed it on - despite the Boston Tea Party - to the Americans.

Haddon House carries a very large assortment of teas, and our staff is very knowledgeable and glad to help you with your tea program. For more information, please contact our marketing department or your sales representative.



Photo by Dena O'Hara.