Going Green: Thinking of Changing to Organic?

The USDA has established rules for the certification of Organic goods and the corresponding labeling guidelines that better assist the consumer in locating organically-grown and manufactured food items among all the choices in their favorite retail outlets:

• For the product to claim "100% Organic":
  It must contain 100% organically grown ingredients, the label must have an ingredient statement, show the name and address of the packer/manufacturer of the finished product and state the Organic Certifying Agent. This product would be elligible to carry the USDA Organic seal.
  
  
• For the product to claim "Organic":
  It must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, the label must have an ingredient statement, list the organic ingredients used, show the name and address of the packer/manufacturer of the finished product and state the Organic Certifying Agent. This product is also eligible to carry the USDA Organic seal.
  
  
• For the product to claim "Made with Organic Ingredients":
  It must contain at least 70% organic ingredients and may contain up to 30% non-organically produced substances, the label must show an ingredient statement when the word organic is used, and identify the organic ingredients in the statement when the % is used. The label for this product may not show a USDA Organic seal or an Organic Certifiying Agent seal.
  

Notes from the US Tea Association:

• This summer, the US Tea Association announced the availability of a Standard Methodology for the determination of Flavonoid quantities to be found in tea. This methodology may be used to determine the antioxidant content of virtually any type of tea, including Ready-To-Drink tea. It will provide a common testing procedure for the entire industry that has proven to be accurate and reproducible.
  
  
• The US Tea Association, Tea Council of the USA, and Specialty Tea Institute (STI) gather together to host the World Tea Forum on October 8 - 10, 2003 at the New York Palace Hotel in New York City.
  
  
• For information on tea and the tea industry, visit the on-line site for the US Tea Association (for members and non-members) at http://www.teausa.com
  

Interested in developing an Organic Tea Line or in Retro-fitting your present line of teas to Organic status?

SNA Tea Company, home of the first organically-certified tea garden in the world, is a full, turn-key tea packer serving the US market, offering the freshest organic and traditional teas and herbs for the creation of quality tea products.

Call our sales team today at (303) 527-1700 or e-mail us at Sales@snatea.com

It seems like every time you pick up a newspaper or a magazine or turn on the TV or radio, there is a report emphasizing the good news about the health benefits of drinking tea.

A recent Tea and Health Consumer Survey compiled for the US Tea Association reported the following findings:

• More than half of American Adults (56%) regularly drink tea.
  
• Among tea drinkers, three-quarters (76%) indicated that they had heard something about tea's health benefits.
  
• Learning that tea offers protection against specific diseases appears to be the strongest driver of an increase in tea consumption.
  
• The leading benefits of tea consumption that tea drinkers are familiar with are a general improvement of overall health (54%) and a reduction in the risk of cancer (47%).
  
• Other benefits consumers are aware of include: reducing the risk of heart disease (37%), and the promotion of weight loss (32%).
  
• Also, consumers are aware of tea's ability to reduce the risk of diabetes (15%) and its ability to build strong bones or reduce the risk of osteoporosis (14%). 10% are aware of tea's ability to reduce the risk of cavities.

Tea Quotes

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
-- Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

"Computer: Tea... Earl Grey... Hot."
-- Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of the Starship Enterprise

The Gift of Tea

The Holidays are just around the corner, and it is never too soon to plan for gift-giving. Remember that the gift of tea is appropriate at any time of the year, and can be matched with colorful, holiday treats packed in festive gift baskets. Here are some ways to include the health beverage of choice, tea, for a thoughtful, attractive and reasonably-priced gift that will be greatly appreciated and joyfully savored during the winter months.

• Tea and Flowers: Festive basket collections of holly berries and greens or a colorful ponsettia plant with a Cinnamon-Orange Tea blend or Hibiscus Herbal blend for fireside sipping and conversation.
  
  
• Tea and Biscuits: A Fruit-flavored Black Tea or hearty Herbal Tea matched with crackers and cheese or tea biscuits and jam for a fun, instant-eat gift designed for the host or hostess of your office or holiday party.
  
  
• Tea and Chocolates: Always a winner, create a gift bag with soothing Mint Tea or decaffeinated Dessert Tea, a good book and some fine chocolates.
  
  
• White and more White: Create a basket including combinations of White Tea, paperwhite bulbs that will bloom over the holidays, Hanukkah or taper candles, white holiday napkins, Mexican wedding cookies or macadamia biscotti, white chocolate or yogurt-coated fruit and nuts, cloisonne pen & white note cards.
  

A message from the Chairman:

Part of the joy of tea is in its aroma. Often ignored in the hustle and bustle of our lives, aroma is one of the prime indicators of quality. The next time you brew your favorite tea, savor the fragrant bouquet that wafts gently upward from your cup and slow down your life for a few moments to revel in the promise being given off by your favorite blend.
-- Barry P. W. Cooper

 
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