Tea Consumption Must Be Boosted To Match Supply
15/05/08 13:26
Tea consumption must be boosted to match supply, UN says
Boosting demand for tea is crucial to ensure price stability and returns to developing country producers, according to new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"Expanding consumption in producing countries could ease supply pressure at the world level and improve tea prices in the long run," said the study, prepared for the Intergovernmental Group on Tea whose three-day meeting kicks off today in Hangzhou, China.
Global tea production has continued to surge, rising 3 per cent in 2006, mainly due to record crops in China, Viet Nam and India.
Meanwhile, demand has not matched supply, with consumption only increasing 1 per cent, marking a slowdown from the 2.7 per cent growth rate from the previous decade.
Despite the vigourous economic growth in major tea producing countries, their per capita consumption lags behind. While Russians consume 1.26 kg and the British 2.2 kg annually, Indians take in 0.65 kg and Chinese only 0.53 kg per year.
The FAO report also stressed that enforcing minimum quality standards for tea - though reaching agreement on such benchmarks is complicated - will spur demand.
link
Boosting demand for tea is crucial to ensure price stability and returns to developing country producers, according to new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"Expanding consumption in producing countries could ease supply pressure at the world level and improve tea prices in the long run," said the study, prepared for the Intergovernmental Group on Tea whose three-day meeting kicks off today in Hangzhou, China.
Global tea production has continued to surge, rising 3 per cent in 2006, mainly due to record crops in China, Viet Nam and India.
Meanwhile, demand has not matched supply, with consumption only increasing 1 per cent, marking a slowdown from the 2.7 per cent growth rate from the previous decade.
Despite the vigourous economic growth in major tea producing countries, their per capita consumption lags behind. While Russians consume 1.26 kg and the British 2.2 kg annually, Indians take in 0.65 kg and Chinese only 0.53 kg per year.
The FAO report also stressed that enforcing minimum quality standards for tea - though reaching agreement on such benchmarks is complicated - will spur demand.
link
Green Tea Compounds Prevent Hypoxia Damage
15/05/08 13:22
Compounds in green tea protect against neurological damage from obstructive sleep apnea -- at least in rats, researchers said here.
The compounds also prevent loss of cognitive ability as measured in a maze test, according to David Gozal, M.D., of the Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, and colleagues.
The findings suggest that the "potential therapeutic role" of green tea catechin polyphenols (GTPs) deserves more investigation, Dr. Gozal and colleagues said in the May 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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The compounds also prevent loss of cognitive ability as measured in a maze test, according to David Gozal, M.D., of the Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, and colleagues.
The findings suggest that the "potential therapeutic role" of green tea catechin polyphenols (GTPs) deserves more investigation, Dr. Gozal and colleagues said in the May 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Bubble Tea - 珍珠奶茶 Zhēnzhū Nǎichá
15/05/08 07:54
Chinesepod.com is a website that has a great approach to learning Mandarin. The dialogues are available for free by podcast, with a subscription service that includes transcripts and other reference materials and archived lessons- Plus, the lessons are engaging and reflective of real life (flirting, going to a bar,
shopping). A great improvement from my elementary school Spanish lessons about a bull falling down the stairs!
This week one of the lessons was regarding Tapioca Pearl Tea (Bubble Tea). So if any of you are thinking about learning the Chinese language, and have a fondness for tea, this mp3 is as good a place as any to begin!
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This week one of the lessons was regarding Tapioca Pearl Tea (Bubble Tea). So if any of you are thinking about learning the Chinese language, and have a fondness for tea, this mp3 is as good a place as any to begin!
link
$20,000 'Calm-A-Sutra of Tea' Scholarship Contest
09/05/08 19:15
NEW YORK, May 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Tea Council of the USA, Inc. announced today the launch of the 2008 Calm-A-Sutra of Tea(TM), a nationwide scholarship competition awarding one creative student $20,000 towards their education, in an effort to introduce America's young people to the health-related benefits of drinking tea.
The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a nationwide search for the most unique and creative way or depiction of drinking tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea, all from the Camellia sinensis plant, explained in a one-to-two minute Internet video that incorporates some aspect of tea's many health-related benefits.
As the world's most widely consumed beverage (next to water), tea is great tasting and calorie-free. It contains flavonoids that are believed to be health-protective antioxidants, which ultimately make drinking tea part of a satisfying, healthy lifestyle.
"While educating the public on the emerging science supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council's main objectives, we also strongly support America's young people seeking a higher education," said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. "With rising tuition costs, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is an ideal vehicle for this Internet generation to pursue in their search for financial aid for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year."
link
The Calm-A-Sutra of Tea is a nationwide search for the most unique and creative way or depiction of drinking tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea, all from the Camellia sinensis plant, explained in a one-to-two minute Internet video that incorporates some aspect of tea's many health-related benefits.
As the world's most widely consumed beverage (next to water), tea is great tasting and calorie-free. It contains flavonoids that are believed to be health-protective antioxidants, which ultimately make drinking tea part of a satisfying, healthy lifestyle.
"While educating the public on the emerging science supporting the health-related benefits of drinking tea is one of the Tea Council's main objectives, we also strongly support America's young people seeking a higher education," said Joe Simrany, President of the Tea Council of the USA. "With rising tuition costs, the Calm-A-Sutra of Tea scholarship competition is an ideal vehicle for this Internet generation to pursue in their search for financial aid for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year."
link
British planners feared tea shortage after nuclear attack
06/05/08 15:32
LONDON (AFP) — Never mind the radiation: British contingency planners worried there would be a dramatic shortage of tea in the aftermath of a nuclear attack, recently declassified documents showed Monday.
The shortfall of the staple British beverage would be "very serious" if the country were to come under attack with atomic and hydrogen bombs, said according to a memo drafted between 1954 and 1956.
"The tea position would be very serious with a loss of 75 percent of stocks and substantial delays in imports and with no system of rationing it would be wrong to consider that even one ounce (28 grams) per head per week could be ensured," it said.
"No satisfactory solution has yet been found."
Another memo, written in April 1955, warned: "The advent of thermo-nuclear weapons ... has presented us with a new and much more difficult set of food defence problems."
The contingency planning documents listed a number of issues for discussion including arrangements to ensure stockpiles of food and the availability of bread, milk, meat, oils and fats, and tea and sugar.
The memos were among a number of documents released by the National Archives.
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The shortfall of the staple British beverage would be "very serious" if the country were to come under attack with atomic and hydrogen bombs, said according to a memo drafted between 1954 and 1956.
"The tea position would be very serious with a loss of 75 percent of stocks and substantial delays in imports and with no system of rationing it would be wrong to consider that even one ounce (28 grams) per head per week could be ensured," it said.
"No satisfactory solution has yet been found."
Another memo, written in April 1955, warned: "The advent of thermo-nuclear weapons ... has presented us with a new and much more difficult set of food defence problems."
The contingency planning documents listed a number of issues for discussion including arrangements to ensure stockpiles of food and the availability of bread, milk, meat, oils and fats, and tea and sugar.
The memos were among a number of documents released by the National Archives.
link
May 1968 tea
28/04/08 22:58
Paris: The times are changing in Paris, where a luxury foodstore is offering a "May 68" brand of tea to commemorate riots 40 years ago in which anti-capitalist students hurled cobblestones at police.
"Tea with a flavour of revolution", says the chic Fauchon in a statement announcing the launch of the collector item.
The tea, flavoured with lemon zest and rose petals, is packaged in a metal tin emblazoned with the image of a student with a raised fist and slogans from the riots such as It is forbidden to forbid and Poetry is in the street. The cost is 15 euros ($23.5) for 100 grams of tea.
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I am having some trouble thinking of lemon zest and rose tea as the 'flavour of revolution.' -jake
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"Tea with a flavour of revolution", says the chic Fauchon in a statement announcing the launch of the collector item.
The tea, flavoured with lemon zest and rose petals, is packaged in a metal tin emblazoned with the image of a student with a raised fist and slogans from the riots such as It is forbidden to forbid and Poetry is in the street. The cost is 15 euros ($23.5) for 100 grams of tea.
_________________________________
I am having some trouble thinking of lemon zest and rose tea as the 'flavour of revolution.' -jake
link
The Tea Business
28/04/08 08:25
Lapis Teahouse has been exclusively a private label packager for about 4 years now, but initially it began as a retail teahouse and extension of my acupuncture and herbal practice. Smaller private label projects started by chance, but our first big break was a project for Yankee Candle. It was a project that was about a year in the making, and in the end there was little profit, but big lessons learned.
The Yankee Candle project was too large to pack in house with our resources at that time, so I looked for a co-packer that had the ability to fill larger orders. I went to one of the biggest and most renowned companies in the industry, and with plenty of time to work out the details of production, had them set up to run the order for us. I explained that we had a purchase order in hand, but could not pay until the product was in the customers hands. They said this was no problem.
About six months passed, and the production deadline crept closer. And closer. They delayed and stalled. Finally we were at the last moment when it could be run and delivered on time. And suddenly, the co-packer contacted me and said:
"We are ready to start production, but we need a 50% deposit on the order."
Now, keep in mind that this was the very moment it needed to be packed if the order was to deliver on time. And they knew I did not have $35,000 to put down on the order at that time. Then the other shoe dropped...
"Or, if you do not have the money upfront, you can sign the PO over to us, and we will pay you a commission."
There we had it. They put me in a position of having to come up with $35K in a matter of hours, or of losing my biggest account.
It was an unacceptable choice. I spent the next 3 days calling every contact I could find, and looking for another co-packer to run the order. Finally it was done. Two weeks late, and losing almost all my profit margin. What is the moral? I still am not sure. I think it is that even in a business as seemingly pleasant as tea, some people will act unethically for a buck. Sad really. This was a company with millions in assets, taking advantage of a start-up with an opportunity.
One thing is for sure, it has re-affirmed my willingness to talk openly to anyone about their business projects and plans, without conniving and deceit. Tea, coffee and private label in general are booming industries. There is no excuse to not allow the tide to lift all boats. But be careful out there, folks!
The Yankee Candle project was too large to pack in house with our resources at that time, so I looked for a co-packer that had the ability to fill larger orders. I went to one of the biggest and most renowned companies in the industry, and with plenty of time to work out the details of production, had them set up to run the order for us. I explained that we had a purchase order in hand, but could not pay until the product was in the customers hands. They said this was no problem.
About six months passed, and the production deadline crept closer. And closer. They delayed and stalled. Finally we were at the last moment when it could be run and delivered on time. And suddenly, the co-packer contacted me and said:
"We are ready to start production, but we need a 50% deposit on the order."
Now, keep in mind that this was the very moment it needed to be packed if the order was to deliver on time. And they knew I did not have $35,000 to put down on the order at that time. Then the other shoe dropped...
"Or, if you do not have the money upfront, you can sign the PO over to us, and we will pay you a commission."
There we had it. They put me in a position of having to come up with $35K in a matter of hours, or of losing my biggest account.
It was an unacceptable choice. I spent the next 3 days calling every contact I could find, and looking for another co-packer to run the order. Finally it was done. Two weeks late, and losing almost all my profit margin. What is the moral? I still am not sure. I think it is that even in a business as seemingly pleasant as tea, some people will act unethically for a buck. Sad really. This was a company with millions in assets, taking advantage of a start-up with an opportunity.
One thing is for sure, it has re-affirmed my willingness to talk openly to anyone about their business projects and plans, without conniving and deceit. Tea, coffee and private label in general are booming industries. There is no excuse to not allow the tide to lift all boats. But be careful out there, folks!
Organic food market booms
18/04/08 23:43
Mintel reports that organic food sales have grown a whopping 132% since 2002, while organic beverage sales nearly doubled (97%) during the same period. Together, the organic food and beverage markets now make up a nearly $6 billion dollar a year industry.
“This isn’t a niche market full of environmental health nuts and affluent yuppies anymore,” says Marcia Mogelonsky, senior research analyst at Mintel. “Organic is now part of the picture for everyone from the Hispanic immigrant mother to the hip suburban teen next door. With health issues and food contamination cases in the news, many people have begun looking for safer, more natural food and drink.”
Mintel’s exclusive consumer research shows that over half (52%) of Americans purchased organic foods in the past year, while over a quarter (26%) went for organic beverages. This is a notable increase from the just 34% of consumers who bought either organic food or beverage products in 2002. What is more, nearly a third (32%) of adults now report purchasing organic products “as often as possible.”
Manufacturers have caught on and Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows a steady increase in new organic product development. 2006 saw nearly 1600 new organic food and beverage products launched in the US, over twice the number released in 2002 (732). Even retail grocers have sunk their teeth into organics, currently featuring over 300 private label organic products and entire departments dedicated to organic foods.
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“This isn’t a niche market full of environmental health nuts and affluent yuppies anymore,” says Marcia Mogelonsky, senior research analyst at Mintel. “Organic is now part of the picture for everyone from the Hispanic immigrant mother to the hip suburban teen next door. With health issues and food contamination cases in the news, many people have begun looking for safer, more natural food and drink.”
Mintel’s exclusive consumer research shows that over half (52%) of Americans purchased organic foods in the past year, while over a quarter (26%) went for organic beverages. This is a notable increase from the just 34% of consumers who bought either organic food or beverage products in 2002. What is more, nearly a third (32%) of adults now report purchasing organic products “as often as possible.”
Manufacturers have caught on and Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows a steady increase in new organic product development. 2006 saw nearly 1600 new organic food and beverage products launched in the US, over twice the number released in 2002 (732). Even retail grocers have sunk their teeth into organics, currently featuring over 300 private label organic products and entire departments dedicated to organic foods.
link
New Site Design!
14/03/08 11:52
Hi everyone!
It has been a while (6 months I think) since I started our web re-design, and here it finally is!
We are about to roll out all kinds of fantastic new offerings, including an expanded and updated lineup of teas in our private label offer, as well as some really top notch private label coffee- organic, air-roasted, and fair trade.
Stay tuned, and see what else is on the horizon! And please comment if you have praise or suggestions for the new site!
-Jake