Opinions about Rishi

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Sep 23rd, '08, 01:40
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Opinions about Rishi

by devites » Sep 23rd, '08, 01:40

I was just curious as to what everyone's sentiment towards Rishi tea was. Personally I think they provide excellent teas, but they charge a little bit too much.

Sep 23rd, '08, 01:46
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by Pentox » Sep 23rd, '08, 01:46

I don't have much experience with Rishi. They have a nice variety, but I do agree that they are a bit pricey for some of their offerings. I don't really buy into the whole organic / fair trade stuff though. That's one of their big selling points I think.

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Sep 23rd, '08, 01:56
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by Wesli » Sep 23rd, '08, 01:56

First off, they do have good teas.

Now... Heh. They overcharge. They're very slow. Shipping, to Oregon at least, is slow and expensive.

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Sep 23rd, '08, 21:08
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by greenisgood » Sep 23rd, '08, 21:08

they sell good oolongs. they have very nice tea tables. they're too expensive and a little slow when it comes to harvest dates and freshness etc.

Sep 23rd, '08, 22:11
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by edkrueger » Sep 23rd, '08, 22:11

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Last edited by edkrueger on Dec 5th, '09, 17:55, edited 1 time in total.

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Sep 23rd, '08, 23:48
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by Space Samurai » Sep 23rd, '08, 23:48

I think that how you rate Rishi depends on what catagory you lump them in.

If you compare them with other mainstream tea vendors in the US, I honestly think they are superb, and comparatively speaking, not over priced. Also, from my somewhat extensive experience, I think they offer some of the best retail teas that you will find in specialty stores, and certainly a level of authentic, tradtitional, artisinal teas that are hard to find among all the fruity concoctions and Oprah approved buzz words.

However if you compare them to other online stores, specialty stores like Tea Spring, O-Cha, Ippodo and their like, its a whole nother story. Then quality can become an issue, also freshness (why buy tea that has sat on a boat for weeks, when you can have it flown to you in a few days?), and the prices start to look exorbitant.

In general, no matter how you lump them, their tea ware is top notch, and they have done a lot for organic and fair trade teas. I have several teapots and accesories from them that I think were worth every penny.

I think Rishi has a business plan that they are following, and are probably doing bery well at what they aim to do.

While I don't shop from them often anymore, I am still fond of them, I guess. In part becuase they were the ones who got me into tea, tought me about, helped me with lots of questions, gave me samples. Plus, that was before their prices jumped, back when it was a little hight but mostly worth it.

Besides, if you compare them with their direct competitors, Republic of Tea, Teavana, Rishi is kicking ass. I think they are one of, if not the best gateway tea companies in the US.

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Sep 24th, '08, 00:02
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by Wesli » Sep 24th, '08, 00:02

Space Samurai wrote:In general, no matter how you lump them, their tea ware is top notch, and they have done a lot for organic and fair trade teas. I have several teapots and accesories from them that I think were worth every penny.
I have 2 pots and agree 110%.

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Sep 24th, '08, 00:23
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by silverneedles » Sep 24th, '08, 00:23

Rishi should definitely step in and take some more shelf space from ROT & the other bag-tastic bunch... maybe it wouldnt work in regular supermarkets... how can anyone compete with 3$ teabags... whatever the taste those will sell 10:1 (i guess)

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Sep 24th, '08, 00:52
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by murrius » Sep 24th, '08, 00:52

I recently bought a small white clay Kyusu from Rishi. It came promptly and I was happy with the pot. I don't think I will buy teas from them but I will probably buy teaware again.

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Sep 24th, '08, 00:54
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by scruffmcgruff » Sep 24th, '08, 00:54

Rishi is noticeably absent from my local Whole Foods, though I have seen it in others. It would be nice to have it there for when I don't feel like paying shipping.

Sep 24th, '08, 01:07
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by Pentox » Sep 24th, '08, 01:07

Space Samurai wrote: Besides, if you compare them with their direct competitors, Republic of Tea, Teavana, Rishi is kicking ass. I think they are one of, if not the best gateway tea companies in the US.
I think that it would right to add Mighty Leaf to that category. I consider them in the same boat as TRoT and Teavana.

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Sep 24th, '08, 14:01
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by greenisgood » Sep 24th, '08, 14:01

i totally forgot about rishi's japanese stuff. i really love my fukugata kyusu which has been broken and glued but still does its job every day. and their fuka really first got me into sencha in general.

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Sep 24th, '08, 14:33
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by Chip » Sep 24th, '08, 14:33

I have had several of their teas and am pleased with them. The Ancient TeaTree Flowers is a unique tea that I enjoy in the evening. Supposedly it is lower in caffeine than leaf.

I do not know enough about Fair Trade Cert., but it was through Rishi ... well really Space, that I was first exposed to it.

Their Tokoname has Crave Factor written all over it.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!

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