First Rishi Fair Trade Certified Teas for me

[Chip]

I am receiving my first 2 FTC/Cert. Org. from Rishi Tea that I am anxious to try. Space has been talking about Fair Trade tea for some time. It is long overdue that I experience this newer realm of tea.

One is Spring Sprout.

The other is Ancient Tea Flower which is from Yunnan and is the actual tea flowers from ancient tea tree from which pu-erh, white, etc are harvested. This is an awesome tea and is supposedly low in caffeine. I have had Upton's version of this and have always loved it.

I am also getting a sample of their Kagoshima Organic Sencha which won top Japanese tea award at the World TeaExpo.

This is my first adventure into the world of Fair Trade Certified tea. I am pretty excited.

[Victoria]

Sounds great! Let us know!
Really interested to see if the Flowers differ from Upton.

[Space Samurai]

Having delved into Japanese tea for the past year has taken me in a different direction than Fair Trade (Japan, a country with extablished labor laws, has no use for Fair Trade), but all this talk has got me worked up again, so I too placed an order today.

Chip, I've always meant to try those flowers, we'll see how good they are. I'd like to know what you think of the spring sprout. I've had their Jade Cloud from Hubei, and I liked it, and you know how I feel about Chinese green.

[Chip]

Hey Space, did you order the flowers?

I will let you know about the Spring Sprout.

I hear a lot more excitment about Japanese teas from you.

[kongni]

Good to see that you're interested in organic tea Chip! I can't wait to hear your review

[Chip]

The tea is in the house. First Organic/Fair Trade tea likely ever in Reading, PA.

3 new teas to try. Maybe this evening I will try one.

[Space Samurai]

Just brewed the tea flowers myself. Gonna give it a few chances to change my mind before I tell ya'll what I really think of it.

[Geekgirl]

Wow, Space, this picture is beautiful! Who cares what it tastes like, it was worth the photo!

[Salsero]

Mmmm, nothing beats a good bowl of Wheaties to start your day! The flowers I have are fermented and compressed into a cake, à la puerh. Quite a different look, but no less unappetizing.

[greenisgood]

i'm able to get the ancient snow sprout at my local co-op for about $6/ounce from the bulk bins. it's really similar to white teas that i've had but has a very subtly complex flavor, its really interesting but definitly not worth $22/ounce + shipping!

[Chip]

I tried the Spring Sprout last night. This was the first Organic/FTC green tea I ever had. I was rushed a little as I brewed, but it is VERY flavorful. I will try it again this weekend when I am not so rushed.

The Ancient Tea Flowers are growing on me. I think these get better with time. The Upton version I had was actually better at 2 years old than when I got them.

[greenisgood]

it's good cause you can't taste the exploitation and injustice

[Shannon]

I have tried both of these recently. I really liked the "flowers" especially in the evening. The flavor is really unique and sweet. Defies classification in so many ways.

The Spring Sprouts are very interesting. Very different. Bold for a green, highly vegetal, artichoke comes to mind. I quite enjoyed this green.

I like Rishi for the O/FTC. I will try some more of the O/FTC soon.

[devites]

it's good cause you can't taste the exploitation and injustice