Why is Good Tea So Expensive?

With hundreds of varieties to choose from, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. There are varying costs to tea as well, and it is important to understand how the difference in cost indicates the quality of the tea.

What makes a high quality tea?

There are many factors that contribute to the quality of a tea, the first being how the leaves are processed. Whole leaves retain more of their nutritional value and flavor, and the best leaves are hand picked by experienced laborers instead of machines. Machine harvesting may be faster and more affordable, but yields a lower quality product. Bits of stem and less desirable parts of the plant get mixed together, and that changes the quality and flavor of the tea.

Tea sold as loose leaf tends to be more expensive because the leaves are whole, whereas tea sold in bags or sachets tends to be less expensive because they contain the machine harvested, smaller bits that are less desirable. It is possible to purchase high quality tea in sachet form, and to do so, it’s a good idea to purchase from a company that is involved in the sourcing, blending, and packaging of the tea as close to home as possible to ensure high quality standards are being met.

Tea processed and packaged abroad is less reliable because of quality dilution, loss of aroma, and a shortened shelf life. Poor processing—which includes picking, steaming, drying, or roasting—can ruin the flavor of the tea, whereas the best processing comes with better equipment and expertise. Laborers will roast leaves by hand for 8 to 10 hours a day to ensure the best results.

Location and Environment

The flavor of a tea comes not only from the particular plant variety, but also its growing environment. Teas grown at higher elevations cost more than teas grown at sea level because they are less affected by weather, changes in temperature, and pollution. Each of these factors alters the quality of air and soil, which changes the flavor profile of the plants. Farms positioned more remotely have cleaner air and soil than those situated closer to a city.

Tea plantations situated at higher elevations, like up the side of a mountain, as is common in parts of Asia, are also harder to access, and are potentially more dangerous to harvest from. While the remote locations benefit the tea, they also have higher labor costs.

Labor Expenses

Hand picking tea comes at a higher cost because the laborers need to be compensated for their time and expertise. Usually, when tea is less expensive, it means that the leaves are grown on a large plantation with high yield, but harvesting is done cheaply either by machine, or by laborers who do not receive fair compensation.

Higher quality tea tends to come from smaller farms that value higher production standards. Smaller farms means more control over crops, higher labor cost, and more precise processing. Purchasing tea fair trade is a great way to ensure that the tea you are purchasing is high quality because you know you are paying for human expertise and not a machine.

Good Brands and Where To Buy Them

These popular brands are easily accessible at most groceries stores in the United States and are either organic, fair trade certified, or both.

- Rishi Tea

- Mountain Rose Herbs

- Numi

- Equal Exchange

- Guayaki

- Traditional Medicinals

Spring Teas

With the return of Spring comes the promise of new beginnings, and new blooms. Floral flavors like Hibiscus, Rose, Chrysanthemum, and Dandelion, as well as fruity flavors like Blueberry and Elderberry, will delight whether enjoyed warm or cold.

- Rishi Scarlet Loose Leaf

- Equal Exchange Organic Hibiscus

- Numi White Rose

- Guayaki Revel Berry Organic Yerba Mate

- Mountain Rose Herbs Blossoms of Health Tea

- Traditional Medicinals Dandelion Detox Tea

Resources:

Demarest, Abigail. “Is Good Tea Worth It? Experts Explain the Difference”. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/difference-between-cheap-and-expensive-tea_l_60087a9cc5b62c0057c29f85.

Falkowitz, Max. “Why Great Tea Doesn’t Come Cheap: Digging into the High Mountain Economy”. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/tea-economics-pricing.

Stone, Daniel. “The World’s Top Drink”. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/the-worlds-top-drink.

Tea Association USA. “Tea Fact Sheet 2019-2020” Retrieved from http://www.teausa.com/teausa/images/Tea_Fact_Sheet_2019_-_2020._PCI_update_3.12.2020.pdf.

“11 Organic and Fair Trade Teas We’re Sipping On” Retrieved from https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-organic-tea.

“12 Best Organic Tea Brands to Reap the Most Health Benefits”. Retrieved from https://twigscafe.com/10-best-organic-tea-brands-to-try-in-2021/.

“How to Identify Quality Tea”. Retrieved from https://www.pureleaf.com/us/how-to-identify-quality-tea.

Protecting Your Energy

And just like that: the year is almost over… December 21st marks Winter Solstice this year. It’s when yang energy is at its lowest and when yin energy is at its highest. These are the longest, darkest, and coolest days of the season, meaning extra hours of darkness to repair, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Winter is ruled by the water element and the emotion of fear. Water is the most nourishing element, and it is essential for life. Typically this time of year, we tend to feel over-worked and are sleep deprived. Since the water element stores our energy reserves, a lack of rest will deplete this element and the kidneys, winter’s yin organ. This is why protecting our energy and resting is so crucial in the winter… for empaths and HSP’s (Highly Sensitive People), it can be especially difficult to speak up or set boundaries.

What are some ways I can protect my energy this winter and holiday season?

• Imagine a beautiful, white bubble around you… Envision it protecting you from any low vibrations (people’s negative thoughts, actions, or beliefs). Do as needed.

• A technique to start (or end) your day with… When you’re in the shower, visualize the water as white crystalline energy cleansing your body, as well as your energetic body. Visualize the soap cleansing you of any energy that isn’t for your highest good. Then, visualize the soap (the negative energy) washing down the drain.

• Ground yourself… Visualize big tree roots at the bottom of your feet going all the way to the core of the earth, which is the center of the earth.  Being in nature will help ground you s well (being by the water, playing in the garden, sitting under a tree). Energy is all intent… Try just simply saying “Please ground me now. Thank you.”

• Set an intention for your day when you wake up in the morning…When you start off with positive intentions you are bringing in positive energy to start your day in a more meaningful way.

How can I stay present when experiencing irrational fears?

• Stop and breathe... Step back from the situation to allow your emotions to get out of your way. Ask yourself, “what is really happening?” When we get our emotions out of the way, we gain more clarity of the situation that we are fearing. Look at it from an observer’s point of view, then ask yourself if the fear you’re experiencing will matter in a year from now? What about six months from now? Or even a month from now?

  If the worst happens (which isn’t often), we must trust that we will somehow handle it. It’s the fear of not knowing how to handle things which amplifies this intense feeling. Look back at something you once feared… You most likely were able to handle it better than you ever thought you could.

I’m an empath or an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). How can I handle the heaviness of the world?

• Try a “shielding” visualization… Shielding is a quick way to protect yourself. Many empaths and sensitive people rely on it to block out toxic energy while allowing the free flow of positive energy. Begin by taking a few deep, long breaths. Then, visualize a beautiful shield of white or pink light completely surrounding your body and extending a few inches beyond it.

• Define and express your relationship needs… Knowing your needs and being able to assert them is a strong form of self-protection for empaths. Finding your voice is equivalent to finding your power – otherwise you may become exhausted, anxious, or feel like a doormat in relationships where your basic needs are unmet. Your partner isn’t a mind reader – speak up to safeguard your well-being.

• Prevent empathy overload… When you’re absorbing the stress or symptoms of others, it’s important to find an outlet to release the negative energy. Try inhaling lavender essential oil or put a few drops midway between your eyebrows (on your third eye) to calm yourself. When you can, spend time in nature. Balance your alone time with social time. Time management is key for empaths… Try not to plan too many things in one day. aIt’s ok to cancel plans when you get overloaded. This is a skill all empaths must learn so that you don’t feel obliged to go out if you are tired and need to rest.

• The “Jaguar Protection Meditation”… When you need extra protection, we recommend using this meditation to call on the power of the jaguar to protect you. The jaguar is a fierce and patient guard who can keep toxic energy and people away. This type of meditation is useful when there is too much negativity coming at you too quickly. Picture what the jaguar looks like: their fierce, loving eyes; their sleek body; the graceful, yet purposeful way the jaguar moves. Envision yourself feeling secure in the circle of the jaguar’s protection.

What Your Tongue Says About Your Health

Did you know that the tongue is like a road map for your health? Tongue Diagnosis is an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) assessment and evaluation. This is why you’ll often hear your Acupuncturist ask you to…well, “stick out your tongue”.

Ok, wait, can you back up? In TCM, we look at the whole person. This means that all body systems are relevant for a specialized diagnosis: body temperature, appetite, digestion, hydration, blood circulation, body aches and pains, sleep patterns, elimination patterns, menstrual history, vision, hearing, emotional habits, energy levels, and so much more.

Complete review of systems is the way that TCM differentiates individual patterns to provide the most precise diagnosis and very specific treatment protocol. Once an individual's pattern has been identified with a review of systems, a pulse reading and quick look at the tongue verifies these findings. Because the tongue is the only internal organ we can actually see, the conditions of the interior may be observed (what us Acupuncturists call: hot/cold, wet/dry, excess/deficiency). Examining the shape, size, color, and texture of the tongue and coat helps reveal the state of organ functions and progression of any underlying imbalances or conditions.

Each area of the tongue corresponds to the internal organ themselves (think: Heart, Lungs, Kidneys/Bladder/Intestines, Spleen/Stomach, and Liver/Gallbladder), as well as the meridians where your energy (Qi) flows through. The organs govern a section of the tongue similar to how they are sectioned in the body. Imagine your tongue… the organs in the upper body represent the tip of your tongue, the organs in the digestive center represent the middle of the tongue…and so forth.

So, what is my tongue trying to tell me? No two tongues are exactly the same, and everyone’s tongue can be a mixture of different features or patterns of their diagnosis. Characteristics we look at include:

• Shape - small, thin, long, swollen, puffy, pointed, stiff?

• Color - pale, red, purple, grey?

• Texture - dry, rough, tender, wet, oily?

• Body - cracks, peeled, spots?

• Coating - thick, thin, sticky?

Looking at these different characteristics help us determine a patient’s Tongue Dx. Someone with a “damp heat” diagnosis would most likely have a swollen and red tongue with a yellow-greasy coating. Damp heat is typical if someone experiences IBS/IBD, acne, or UTIs, for example. Those who tend to worry or struggle with low energy, poor appetite, or bloating/gas, are typically diagnosed with a “Qi deficiency”. These patients would have a pale tongue with thin white coating, teeth marks, and spotting.

Find out what your tongue is trying to tell you! Book an appointment with one of our Acupuncturists today by calling 414-367-7023.

References:

Dyer, Lauren. “What does your tongue say about your health?”. Retrieved from https://empowerchiroacu.com/empowered-living-blog/what-your-tongue-reveals-about-your-health.

“Tint Condition”. Retrieved from https://www.thomsonmedical.com/article/tint-condition/.