Of all tea types, green and white teas will lose their freshness most quickly. To experience peak freshness, we recommend consuming these teas within 2 months from the time you first open the package. Matcha green tea powder should be enjoyed within 2 weeks, because the powder will undergo “post-oxidation” when exposed to air, transforming its bright green color into a stale shade of pea-green or even yellow. We recommend enjoying most oolong, black, and herbal teas within 4 months for the best flavor. Roasted oolong and Pu-erh teas have the unique ability to ripen and develop complexity with age, if stored properly, for several years.

Organic is the only type of agriculture with a set of principles that put nature first. The aim of the organic agriculture movement is to promote environmental sustainability by encouraging biodiversity, enhancing soil fertility, and protecting the health of farm workers and consumers.

In the US, organic agriculture and product labeling standards are regulated by a USDA certification program called the National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP certification prohibits the use of banned pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, growth hormones, GMOs, irradiation, sewage sludge, and artificial preservatives, flavors and dyes in crops, livestock, and foods.

In Canada, The Canadian Organic Standards place strict limits and prohibitions on the use of:

• persistent pesticides;
• synthetic macronutrient fertilizers;
• the routine use of drugs, antibiotics or synthetic hormones;
• animal cloning;
• genetic engineering (“GMOs”);
• sewage sludge (“biosolids”);
• irradiation; and
• artificial food colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives and many other processing aids and ingredients in processed foods.

We found that most teas fit neatly into the three categories:
LOW: < 20 mg / 8oz cup
MEDIUM: 20 – 40 mg / 8oz cup
HIGH: > 40 mg / 8oz cup
An average cup of coffee contains around 90 to 120 mg per 8oz cup.

Our herbal teas, meanwhile, are naturally caffeine-free, making them an excellent option for those looking for a soothing beverage at any time of day (within recommanded limits).

We make every effort to ensure that our teas and ingredients are sourced in a socially responsible manner. We work with suppliers committed to ethical and sustainable practices, and we or our importers have personally visited several of our overseas producers to ensure that working conditions and quality standards are respected.