To find all our ORGANIC teas, simply type "ORGANIC" in the Search box.

     Our organic selections on our website are Certified Organic.  Simply put, this means we know their origin, how it was farmed, how it was handled and how it got to you.  We are the staunchest advocates and champions of organic and biodynamic tea farming and have more than a passing interest in it.   Makaibari Estate in Darjeeling is featured prominently in our website because it is owned by our family. Not only is Makaibari the oldest garden in Darjeeling district (established in 1859), it pioneered biodynamic tea farming and was certified biodynamic (the most stringent form of organic farming), in the early 1990's.

     We know the difficulties of organic farming and the care that accompanies it.  You should beware of any tea company that claims that pesticides are not used in tea farming and that, therefore, all tea is "organic". This is absolutely false. Like all agricultural crops, tea is farmed all over the world using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Only a few tea estates around the world have made the daunting commitment to farm organically and to be inspected annually by independent certifying bodies to maintain their organic status.  We salute all those gardens and are proud to carry their teas. We are especially proud of our Makaibari selections – they are the freshest, most seasonal teas we can offer and the purest in the world. Some are air freighted within a few weeks of their manufacture and each lot has been specially sampled and selected for your enjoyment.

     Try all our Organic selections - they are not just good for the earth and good for you but also taste great!  Our Organic teas are listed in each section and clearly identified with the word 'Organic'.  You can type "organic" in the Search box to get a quick look at all our selections or you can browse each section to see their origin and type.

     Look for the Organic icon    throughout our site to view our Organic Teas.  Our organic certification is specifically for the teas on our website.  Although the teas carried in our Tea Room/Restaurant are organic and are provided by our wholesale company, Eco Prima Tea which is Certified Organic by a third party, the Tea Room/Restaurant is not certified organic as a retail facility. 

ORGANIC FACTS - NICE TO KNOW!
     May 2008:  The Organic Center in Boulder, Colorado recently published results of a comprehensive review.  It noted that organic plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, grains) contain higher levels of eight of 11 nutrients studied, including significantly greater concentrations of polyphenols and antioxidants.  The executive summary and the full report can be found at www.organiccenter.org.  

   The Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey shows that U.S. organic food sales totaled nearly $17 billion in 2006, representing approximately 3% of all retail sales of food and beverages.  This number is up from 1.9% in 2003 and 2.5% in 2005.  Worldwide, nearly 31 million hectares were certified as organic with Australia, Argentina, China and United States leading the tally.  


     To learn more about Organic and Sustainable Farming, we recommend 2 books:
     Organic, Inc. by Samuel Fromartz
     The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan