Rare and Organic Chinese Tea from Andao Tea

"GK: Why drink organic tea?

Jake: I think that's a question everybody has to answer for him or herself. Essentially, consumers choose organic food products because they have a belief that these products benefit their health and have less chemical and artificial pollutants. And they are probably right. Ironically, something I didn't understand before we actually got involved in the mechanics of getting organic certified, the certification does not mean it's better for your health. It's simply an assumption that currently can't be scientifically supported. The certification does however posit that the land where the crop was grown and the crop itself have not been exposed to fertilizer and pesticide pollution. The certification is, in a sense, an assurance of sustainable land use. I think both health and sustainable land development are compelling reasons to drink organic teas.

GK: How reliable are China's organic standards?

Jake: China does have its own 'green' and 'organic' standards. We don't have much experience in the various local "green" standards currently emerging. Andao is actually certified according to US [NOP] and EU [EU2092/91] international standards. It is not a question of one standard for China and one for other countries. Producers who have chosen to undergo the rigorous certification process have to maintain the very strict levels required by these standards.

China's internationally certified organic food production essentially came about to support demand in the international market. In that sense it's distinct from the grassroots-level organic farmers that sprouted up years ago and gave birth to a whole movement in the US and Europe. So the growth of organic production here was largely economically motivated. However, this is a positive result of external economic impetus and it is already being followed by small but growing demand by Chinese consumers for more 'green' products."

Read the article.

Andao Tea says:
"Our company was created in 2005 in order to supply the growing demand in the West for a more reliable source of high quality, rare and organic Chinese teas. Located in southwestern China's Yunnan Province, we work year round with local and national Chinese artisan tea producers in order to ensure the best possible whole leaf, single origin, rare and organic teas for our clients. We are very particular when it comes to providing authentic tea varietals to our customers. Whether it be a unique flavor specific to a tea production region or a particular denomination of origin, we do our best to promote Chinese teas that represent the true nature of China and its tea drinking culture.

We offer a wide range of single-origin, rare and organic white, green, oolong, black and Puerh teas shipped directly from China, guaranteeing you the freshest whole leaf teas possible. Our teas are available in tea and coffee shops, specialty food shops and gourmet markets."