Our Philosophy

Organic Tea Leaf specialises in the supply of only certified organic teas, with one of the worlds largest varieties of organic tea available from one place. Organic Tea Leaf is a union of specialists comprising botanists, horticulturalists, herbalists and master tea blenders.

We choose only the finest product nature produces. Quality is our priority but also our ethic. We seek out the finest tea plantations and herb farms, free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Hand harvested and prepared by the most natural and sustainable means. Strict organic growing standards ensure that our leaf contains the same pure and health giving constituents as they did in ancient times.

Freshness, Flavour and Vigour are the consistent markers at Organic Tea Leaf. We deliver the whole leaf to the customer with as little processing as possible to preserve the plants aroma and purity. Our Speciality Blends are hand blended without the use of any industrial machinery that degrades the quality of the tea.

We hold the utmost respect for our teas and honour and respect the growers who work at source. Tea is endemic in cultures of the east for over 5000 years and in the western Celtic culture for the last 400 years. Today true tea quality comes from the organic loose leaf, not highly processed powder put into a teabag. Please take time to view our teas on this site and discover real tea.

Our Clientele



We supply the Finest Tea Houses, 5 star Hotels, Award winning cafes, Luxury spas and Exquisite restaurants.

Our pre-packaged organic loose leaf teas are sold by health stores, select spas and respected food venues.

Our Quality

At the beginning of our venture Organic Tea Leafs experts sat around a table and asked the questions "should all our teas be organic?" the answer came with the backing of science and tradition, and it was concluded that " all our teas must be Organic!"

Since our inception Organic Tea Leaf has questioned the quality of existing conventional teas produced with the aid of destructive synthetic chemicals. These chemicals devastate not only the soil used to cultivate tea (and any other food), but systematically destroy the surrounding ecosystem and the health of the very people who farm the land.

It remains the goal of Organic Teas Leaf to raise awareness across an industry dominated by conventionally cultivated tea to the benefits of sourcing of organic teas. We ask consumers to look for the Organic Certification Seal on your tea packet to ensure that your tea was grown and processed according to the National Organic Standards.

Here are a few reasons why:

Improved soil fertility

Toxic chemicals are bypassed, freeing soil from exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides. Workers instead rely on substances such as compost, natural organic matter, and plants to provide the necessary ground cover and nutrients. Weeds and insects are controlled with traditional techniques such as crop rotation, mulching, and the encouragement of "beneficials" - such as extra, pest-controlling spiders. Organic soil also has far more earthworms and soil microbes.

Studies show that healthy, live soil at an organic tea garden returns far higher crop yields per unit of energy and fertilizer expended than conventional farming methods. Diversity is healthy.

Better for wildlife

Organic cultivation of tea is better for local wildlife. The Soil Association, an international organization for organic cultivation, notes that a typical organic field has five times as many wild plants, 57 percent more animal species, and 44 percent more birds than a conventionally cultivated farm. Conventional synthetic herbicides and pesticides often kill non-target animals, plants, and insects.

The Times of India reported that at least 10 leopards and five elephants died between 1999 and 2001 due to leakage of pesticides from tea gardens in West Bengal. Certainly more have died since then. When mixed with other solvents, these pesticides exert a massive toxic effect on the environment for a long duration, affecting birds, animals and humans.

Safer for humans

If organic farming is safer for wildlife, it is certainly safer for the workers in the tea gardens. On conventional tea estates, the health security for the workers is very low. According to Oxfam, a British non-profit agency working to put an end to poverty world-wide, the spraying of pesticides on tea estates is often done by untrained casual daily wage workers, sometimes even by children and adolescents, who are illiterate and cannot read the warnings on the containers.

Many tea farmers spray their plants upwards of 15 to 20 times each year depending on pest infestations. Most of the chemicals they are using (such as - Aldrin 20E, Carbofuran 30, Endosulfan 35 EC, Malathion 50 EC, Tetradifon 8 EC, Calixin 80 EC) are listed as hazardous and toxic, and a number of them are banned in western countries. Despite the dangers of exposure to toxic materials, workers frequently are barefoot and in shorts rather than protected by recommended safety gear such as masks, gloves, rubber boots, and polythene aprons.

Organic Tea Leafs response

Ultimately, the decision to buy organic products is a choice you make for yourself. If you were to buy a conventional apple at the shop, you'd be sure to wash it off before eating it. With tea, though, the first time you "wash" the leaves is when you brew the tea to drink it. Tea should be your medicine like in the old days, not part of your daily toxin exposure.

When people here at Organic Tea Leaf are asked, "Why are you organic?" our response is quick. The answer is easy. "How could we be anything other than organic?"

Our Safety



To ensure the safety standards of all our teas Organic Tea Leaf demand that there is a thorough lab analysis of each batch by Gas Chromatography to safeguard our customers against any possible contamination.

Partner

AMEDARO - alternative medicine, herbal treatment, organic herbs, biodynamic food and health products

Lapsang Souchong

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black tea

Aroma

The aroma of Lapsang Souchong is distinctively Smoky

Palate & Finish

The palate and finish of Lapsang Souchong is of Black tea with a subtle smokyness

History

Lapsang Souchong black tea is grown at high elevation in the Wu yi Mountains of Fujian Province. It is not blended with lesser teas from other regions, as is the custom. The leaves are first withered over fire and rolled, then lightly smoked in bamboo trays over a wood fire. These plants are older and more care is taken with the smoking process. This results in a tea that is far more subtle and refined. Some call this the origin of black (aka red) tea.

Origin

Fujian Province, China

Brewing Guide

We recommend using glass, clay or porcelain tea ware. Rinse tea cup and teapot with hot water. Use about 2 grams of tea leaves (1-2 teaspoons) for every cup (225 ml) of water. Steep tea leaves in hot water at 100°c (212°F) for 2-3 minutes for the first and second brewing. Gradually increase steeping time and water temperature for subsequent brewing. If you like milk with your tea, add 10 to 15 ml of milk and stir.

This link will link to the preparation of the herb tea, drying etc
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