Organic and Biodynamic Teas

Since 1997, Strand Tea has offered Organic, Bio-Dynamic, Natural Grown, and Premium High Grown "Rational Farming" teas from several regions of the world. For more information see: Social Consciousness, Sustainable Agriculture section of our web site.

Organic Tea cultivation has taken a major step forward in the last few years, and as it does we continue to offer more and more Certified Organic Teas. A few Organic teas today actually have improved taste over their conventional counterparts.

We visit Tea Gardens, talk with the tea farmers, and try to see what they face in moving from conventional to organic practices. It is not easy from a farming/labor perspective, assuming the cost of obtaining official organic certification, or as a simple business decision of 'Can I sell my crop without needing to depend on the Western (primarily Europe and US) market'

In particular, we would like to mention one Organic and Bio-dynamic tea estate—Makaibari Estate in Darjeeling, India. They are a pioneer in Organic, Bio-dynamic, Natural and Fair Trade tea. Makaibari has won numerous acclamations for its tea growing and social responsibility and we are proud to have offered their teas from the beginning of Strand Tea Company.

Three things you should know about Organic, Bio-Dynamic, Natural and Fair Trade Teas:

1. Typically, Organic and Fair Trade teas come from large tea estates. Many smaller, family farms, even though they grow teas with no man made chemicals, can't afford the official organic certification(s). They also don't participate in Fair Trade organizations, because they operate as a family in owning and laboring on the tea farm.

2. Bio-dynamic practices go beyond organic farming by paying attention to the compatibility of plants and animals on the land, and by recognizing the role of healing energies in all aspects of cultivation and production.

3. Lower elevations and homogeneous crop plantings are much more susceptible to pests and soil depletion. Premium teas are grown at higher elevations (generally above 4.000 feet), in smaller patches within tea gardens, under purer air, soil and water conditions, and are hand-harvested. Most tea gardens producing premium teas practice inter-cropping, use indigenous, natural pest-repellent plants, and contain a variety of tea hybrids (cultivars). This reduces the risk of crop destruction while increasing the variety of natural tastes in the final tea leaf.

In addition to the Organic teas listed below, please visit our Rooibos teas.

Bai Lin Gongfu - Organic Special Grade – An amazing tea and a great find. When you’ve learned all the rules about Black Tea, here is an exception. It is brewed at a lower temperature (like Green Tea) for longer – a full 6 minutes. You get a delicious cup with almost sweet nutty flavors and no bitterness. $3.95 - $22.95	Bai Mu Dan Super Fancy White Tea Bai Mu Dan (also known as Pai Mu Tan) Super Grade White tea has as full and sweet taste as we have found in any Bai Mu Dan to date. It is clearly a grade above the standard ones commonly available and often flavored or scented to fill out the taste profile. $5.25 - $32.95
Bai Mu Dan White Tea Organic "White Peony" Bai Mu Dan, also known as Pai Mu Tan. Super Fancy Grade, from Fujian Province in China. $5.25 - $32.95	Black Dragon - Organic High Mountain Taiwan Organic Black Dragon Black Tea is a true tea lovers tea. As soon as we tried this excellent tea, we had several kilos air freighted in from Taiwan. Hand rolled long wiry leaves brew a reddish honey colored liquor with sweet aromas and a depth of taste that is remarkable. $4.75 - $68.95
Cloud Mist - Yunwu Green Tea ORGANIC. One of the famous teas of China, Yunwu means "Cloud-mist" because these teas are grown in high mountain areas where the weather produces more developed fragrances and tastes in the teas. $3.50 - $18.95	Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate Loose Leaf Black Tea ORGANIC , BIO-DYNAMIC, & FAIR TRADE. Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP). Superior grade First, Second, and Autumn Flushes made in the classic style. Makaibari has a bright copper liquor with a smooth, well-rounded taste when steeped 4 minutes. $4.50 - $26.95
Darjeeling - Makaibari Estate Loose Leaf Green Tea Makaibari Estate, India. Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (FTGFOP) organic, bio-dynamic, fair trade. Our best selling green tea. Another beautiful tea from Makaibari! This Green Tea offers a fragrant, mild cup, golden color and Darjeeling taste. $4.50 - $26.95	Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls - ORGANIC ORGANIC This is an exquisite Jasmine made from only the finest Green Tea. Customers describe this Organic Jasmine Pearl Tea as 'suberb', 'heavenly', 'a tea to spend an afternoon with.' $9.50 - $59.95
Nilgiri - Iyerpadi Estate Organic Black Tea Iyerpadi Organic and Fair Trade tea comes from the pristine Anamallai Hills on the Western slope of the Nilgiri Mountains in South India. We have chosen this BOP (Broken orange Pekoe) Grade for its flavor, particularly for making iced tea. $2.95 - $15.95	Nilgiri - POABS Estate Black Tea POABS Estate Organic and Bio-Dynamic Nilgiri black tea is back. POABS is a rich smooth medium bodied tea with a unique taste. $12.95
Nilgiri - POABS Estate Green Tea POABS Estate Organic and Bio-Dynamic Nilgiri Green tea is back. POABS is a medium bodied Green tea with a slightly nutty taste. $12.95	Tai Mu San - Organic Green Tea ORGANIC This excellent tea is grown by a local farmer in the Wuyi Mountain region; sales of this tea directly support his family farm. Our customers rate this as one of the best overall Green Teas for smoothness, body, mouth feel, and pleasant taste. $4.50 - $25.95