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.

Understanding Your Body's Sleep-Wake Cycle

Most living things have a 24-hour body clock, and the body’s circadian rhythm is tied to it. When we sleep and when we wake up is regulated by our circadian rhythm. It is tightly linked to the rotation of the earth and gets reset every day by the sun’s light-dark cycle. Although we don’t have total control over our body’s circadian rhythm, there are a few things you can do to ensure a better night’s rest.

Dim the lights before bedtime

Your circadian rhythm is influenced by outside factors like light and dark. Dimming the lights helps signal to the body that it’s time to go to sleep. As the lights dim, our bodies start to naturally produce the sleep hormone, melatonin, which is secreted by the pineal gland in response to the darkness.

Reduce your exposure to blue light

Blue light shifts our sleep rhythm and tricks us into thinking we are still meant be awake. In addition to shifting our circadian rhythm, spending time on our devices can trigger the release of dopamine, the hormone that makes us happy… making it harder to put our phones down and fall asleep.

Wake up and fall asleep at the same time every day

Here’s looking at you weekend! Yes, even on the weekend. An inconsistent sleep schedule is confusing to your circadian rhythm. Getting up and going to bed at the same time each day helps us synchronize our biological clocks.

Expose yourself to bright light first thing in the morning

Sunlight creates increase alertness ,and it signals to our bodies that it’s time to get up . If sunlight isn’t available first thing when you wake up (like in the winter), turn the lights on bright.

Try a natural sleep aid

CBD:

• has a calming effect on the nervous system

• can alter mood because it affects the serotonin system

• reduces anxiety, which can contribute to poor sleep quality

Valerian:

• Helps manage anxiety + insomnia

Chamomile:

• An herbal remedy with a calming effect

• Helps you feel more prepared for sleep

Melatonin:

• Hormone produced by the pineal gland in the center of your brain and is responsible for regulating your body’s circadian rhythm

• Decreases the time it takes to fall asleep

Magnesium:

• Activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for getting you calm and relaxed

• Regulates the hormone melatonin, which manages your natural sleep cycle

***Always consult your doctor first before taking any supplements***

Don’t be too rigid

Nobody is perfect, but it’s important to use these tips as a guideline. If you want to identify your circadian rhythm, try observing your body’s natural wake time by not using an alarm for a few days or even a week.

References:

“How to Wake Up For Non-Morning People.” Retrieved from https://www.headspace.com/sleep/how-to-wake-up-for-non-morning-people.

“Circadian Rhythms and Circadian Clock.” Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/emres/longhourstraining/clock.html.

Eating What You Want at a BBQ

Summer is the season of outdoor barbeques and picnics, but have you ever been to one that doesn’t have what you want to eat or doesn’t have the foods that make you feel good? Traditional barbeque foods (think: brats, hotdogs, potato chips, mayo’d pasta salads, and sugar-filled desserts), can make a mess of our digestion systems and leave us feeling bloated and sluggish. If you’re not sure how you’ll fill up at the event, try eating beforehand or whip up one our favorite lightweight and cooling (+ super tasty!) recipes below.

Arugula + Goat Cheese Pasta Salad

Who knew a pasta salad could be mayo-free? Add sliced cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and fresh ground pepper for a kick. *Tip: reserve some of the pasta water and drizzle over the goat cheese to give you the creamiest sauce ever. Toss to combine.

https://cookieandkate.com/arugula-and-goat-cheese-pasta-salad/

Watermelon Salad with Feta + Mint

This refreshing salad is a mix of peak-season fruits and veggies. The juicy watermelon pairs well with the other creamy, crisp, tangy, and spicy ingredients. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to throw together.

https://www.loveandlemons.com/watermelon-salad/

BBQ Jackfruit ‘Pulled Pork’ Sandwich

Jackfruit grows in Africa, Asia, and South America, but in the US, we can find it in the canned section or sometimes even in the frozen section of grocery stores. Jackfruit has the texture of shredded meat, so it works really well as a substitute. Pile the cooked BBQ jackfruit on a bun and top with a quick cabbage slaw to make the perfect summer sammie.

https://www.loveandlemons.com/bbq-jackfruit-recipes/

Healthier Cowboy Caviar

Serve this crowd pleaser as a dip or side salad. Tastes best with chips or on top of lettuce. For more of a salad, squeeze lime juice, add some crumbled feta, and sprinkle crushed corn chips or toasted pepitas.

https://cookieandkate.com/cowboy-caviar-recipe/

Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli

This yummy grilled corn brings a fresh take on the traditional aioli recipe by using cashews in place of classic mayo ingredients. Soaked cashews will give you a soft and smooth vegan mayonnaise. Best as a side dish or snack.

https://minimalistbaker.com/grilled-corn-sriracha-aioli/

Best Quinoa Salad

Vegan and gluten free, this deliciously hearty salad will keep you full all afternoon. To change it up, scoop some onto fresh greens. Drizzle olive oil and squeeze lemon juice for the dressing. Top with crumbled feta.

https://cookieandkate.com/best-quinoa-salad-recipe/

Cucumber Agua Fresca

Are you ready for the best thing you’ll ever sip on all summer? Popular in Mexico, Central America, and the US, agua fresca translates to “fresh water” or “cool water.” A sweet and cooling, light and non-alcoholic drink.

https://pinchofyum.com/cucumber-agua-fresca