Tea comes in over 3000 varieties. The processing of the leaves determines the type of tea created. White tea is the least processed type of tea. Green tea doesn’t oxidize; it's allowed to wither and dry naturally, preserving the green color. Oolong leaves oxidize the shortest amount of time and black leaves oxidize the longest of the tea leaves. The grade of tea often depends on the state of the leaves used to make the tea. A broken grade consists of particles or dust from crushed leaves, which tea distributors package in bags for brewing.
Tea distributors may focus on a specific type of tea, a specific region where leaves grow or a specific grade of leaves. Herbal tea companies generally focus on tea infused with herbs. International importers focus on types of loose tea or sell tea for a China or Japan tea manufacturer. Increase your markup and profit with unique and tasty teas that consumers can't buy from Target or Wal-Mart.
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Purchase from a tea distributor that specializes in food service
In the food industry, selling tea may occur by the cup or the bag. Providing your customers with a tea box or racks of individually packaged teas not only makes a nice display, it allows you to charge more for the tea than if you just bring the tea already brewed to the table.
I recommend: I recommend: Use a tea distrubtor like
Stash Tea that provides a variety of teas, packaging and tea supplies. Stash Tea also sells tea products wholesale.
Offer fair trade certified organic specialty teas
Purchasing specialty teas adds value to the tea you serve. Organic teas undergo natural processing and use packaging like non-bleached tea bags to help protect the environment. With fair trade certification, your customers know that the tea was purchased at a fair market value.
I recommend: Order from
The Republic of Tea, which sells fair trade certified organic teas. Contact customer service at 1(800)711-8768 to become an Embassy, which allows you to buy wholesale tea and products from the company.
Buy from herbal tea companies
Herbs add flavor, anti-oxidant properties and medicinal properties to tea. To make herbal teas, tea manufacturers use the leaves, roots, stems, flowers and seeds from herbs. Some companies may mix fruit or extracts with the herbs.
I recommend: Shop online with
Celestial Seasonings, which also offers herbal teas for
food service. Celestial Seasonings offers 100% natural tea blended with a variety of herbs.
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