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Fairtrade coffee gets all the attention, but for tea-drinkers, there's less choice. Cafédirect has now launched a new range of ethical teas called Teadirect Gold, which give those of us with a lower tolerance for caffeine a great Fairtrade alternative.
The teas are made of a blend of different leaves from Kenya, Rwanda, and India, which all bring unique properties to the drink. From the Nyambene Hills of Kenya, the company has sourced leaves that bring a bright flavour; from Rwanda, the leaves add a golden colour; and from India, they bring malty notes, or so Cafédirect claims. We bet you didn't know that tea could be so complex.
As well as paying a fair price for crops, Cafédirect invests an average of 60 per cent of its profits into growers' businesses and communities. This makes sure that there are still growers to buy from in future generations.
Tea-grower Julius Ethangatha, of Michimikuru in Kenya, says: "Together [with Cafédirect] we will strive to give the world quality tea that is fresh and decent; while at the same time the farmer gets value for his efforts."
If you want to switch from regular PG tips and give a fair trade option a try, then you can pick up a box from Waitrose and other major supermarkets now. It costs £2.35 for a box of 80 teabags. Cafédirect's range of hot chocolate and coffee is also well worth a try.
30 April 2008 01:21pm
Teadirect CTCs used to be the real bottom of the barrel (upmarked with the usual "good conscience" bonus, with a lot of chuzpah thus), so it would be desirable if they now at least offered a decent lower middle class tea.
Of course, it still is not real tea (= leaf tea, orthodox tea), but it is a tiny step forward towards the quality that normal (non-fairtreade) producers offer, and that customers rightfully may expect.
Henri Christophe
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