What guidelines can you offer consumers who are interested in buying tea from producers that maintain ethical standards of labor and brokers who offer an equitably traded crop?
Seven Cups Tea Forum » FAQ
Industry Ethics
(6 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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I have searched around for these kinds of products, and the best sites I have found are this one and www.rishi-tea.com. The quality and variety of teas from Seven Cups is in general superior. If you look hard, you can also find certain kinds of tea that are listed as fairly traded or grown in environmentally friendly ways. The trick is to find a supplier that you feel you can trust (i.e., do you believe them when they tell you where your tea is coming from). Don't be shy to send emails to the supplier and ask questions.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Also - you seem to have many questions about tea! I am only offering some of my opinions and limited experience. Hopefully more knowledgeable people can chime in on some of your other questions.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes! Ask a lot of questions. Fair Trade certification is just beginning in China. Outside of China the tea industry is primarily plantations, while China is primarily small family farmers. Certification is expensive. While prosperity in the countryside in China is not what it is in the city, tea is a pretty good crop. It is unlikely to have really good tea coming from workers that are treated poorly. Good tea requires skill. Quality diminishes with quantity as a general rule. I'll bet you the vineyard workers in France are priced by the wine makers. The same is true in China for quality farmers. The proof is in the tea.
AustinPosted 1 year ago # -
Lucas,
I appreciate it very much that you are sharing your experience on these subjects. The collective opinions of enthusiasts are, I think, the best way to learn.The Chinese saying which Austin wrote in response to my quality and grading question, “you can study tea for a lifetime and not learn all of the names,” continues to resonate. It becomes more and more apparent to me that even the most fundamental questions about tea beg an ocean of information. I must be content to take it in one bucket (or tea cup) at a time!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Andrew, I agree - that is how I have picked most of my info. I am glad for this forum and hope that as its membership grows I will be able to learn even more.
Posted 1 year ago #
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