| What is meant by best? | | | | fair price. I also recommend making sure that a |
| The concept of "best" is inherently subjective; it | | | | website is current, and that it is run by a legitimate |
| depends on what standard or measuring stick is used | | | | business with a phone number and address, before |
| to compare tea companies. Each person has their | | | | purchasing from it. |
| own personal taste, and it is impossible to argue | | | | Tea blogs, forums, and community websites can be a |
| about tastes when people disagree. Different brands | | | | great way to locate new brands to try, and to get a |
| of tea cater to people with different senses of | | | | sense both of which brands you want to buy from, |
| taste, and thus no one will ever agree on a universal | | | | and which particular teas you might want to order. |
| "best" tea company. | | | | Before buying from a particular website, check to |
| Different companies also have differing areas of | | | | see if others have had positive experiences with the |
| focus and complementary strengths and weaknesses. | | | | company. This can give you an additional sense of |
| Many companies specialize in tea from a particular | | | | security when buying from an unfamiliar online |
| region or regions (often Japan, China, or India), and | | | | merchant. |
| some specialize in particular varieties (green tea, | | | | My personal favorite brands: |
| oolongs, herbal teas, blends, fruit teas, British-style | | | | Sustainability, encompassing both preserving and |
| teas, etc.). Some companies offer a huge selection, | | | | protecting the environment, and protecting human |
| whereas others focus on a few well-chosen | | | | rights, is an important factor when I buy anything. |
| offerings. | | | | There are both environmental and human rights |
| Buying locally in stores: | | | | issues associated with tea production, which is why I |
| For the simple reason that supermarkets mostly | | | | look for companies that aim to address these |
| mostly sell tea bags, I recommend against buying tea | | | | concerns in their business model. Two well-known |
| from a supermarket. Loose tea is superior in flavor | | | | aspects to sustainability in the world of tea are |
| and value, as you are paying for the quality of the | | | | organic certification and fair trade certification, but |
| leaf, rather than for packaging and presentation. If | | | | these issues only scratch the tip of the iceberg. Many |
| you have not yet tried loose tea, I suggest doing so; | | | | companies have gone above and beyond, supporting |
| buying a tea infuser (such as a brewing basket) is a | | | | biodynamic agriculture, promoting education, |
| good way to make this process easier. | | | | cooperative ownership models, and other community |
| If you live near a local retailer of loose tea, I would | | | | initiatives that directly benefit the tea growers and |
| recommend checking out such a store. The best | | | | producers. |
| choice is a specialty tea store, but some ethnic food | | | | I believe that the best brands of tea are those which |
| stores, especially Chinese and other Asian ones, | | | | have a strong commitment to sustainability. The first |
| often carry high-quality loose tea. You may wish to | | | | and foremost leader in sustainability among tea |
| research some tea-related topics online so that you | | | | companies is Rishi Tea. Some new |
| know a little bit more about what to expect and | | | | sustainability-oriented companies have recently |
| what to look for when you go shopping. | | | | entered the market, including Shanti Tea, a Canadian |
| In many areas, however, the only good option | | | | company, Arbor Teas, and Teatulia tea, a company |
| available is to order tea online. | | | | with its own cooperative tea garden in Bangladesh. |
| Choosing a company to buy tea from online: | | | | More mainstream brands with a significant organic and |
| When buying tea online, it is best to be cautious. I | | | | fair trade offerings include Numi Tea, Choice Organic |
| strongly recommend against ever buying from a | | | | Teas, and Organic India. |
| company that markets tea as a weight-loss product | | | | I also enjoy a number of companies that focus on |
| or nutritional supplement. The same benefits are able | | | | offering a high-quality product at reasonable prices. |
| to be obtained from teas marketed as a beverage, | | | | My particular recommendation in this area is Upton |
| and these teas are often higher-quality and lower in | | | | Tea Imports, which boasts a huge catalog and a |
| price. Legitimate tea companies are those that focus | | | | wide range of prices, although there are a number of |
| on the quality of their product, and offer teas at a | | | | other good options out there. |