The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
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| The Ethical Tea Partnership at Work |
| The Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) was originally established in 1997 in the U.K. by a group of British tea packing companies under the name Tea Sourcing Partnership. Many of their goals were much the same as those of Fair Trade, but worked differently. |
| Their early objectives were to monitor conditions on tea estates in countries from which they (British tea packers and blenders) bought their teas. They believed in a shared responsibility for the physical, social, and ethical conditions involved in tea production, packing, and supply. The ETP is a shining example of industry leaders setting up a program monitoring tea production methods and living conditions of workers on tea estates, and finding ways to improve them from within the tea industry itself. The Ethical Tea Partnership has grown into an international non-commercial alliance based in Europe and North America, who independently monitor the lives of tea workers worldwide. |
| Funded completely by its members who are leading tea packers the ETP monitors tea workers and estates in Kenya, Sri Lanka, southern and northern India, Indonesia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Argentina, China, and Brazil. The success of ETP monitoring is based on its openness and autonomy - independent governing of the tea industry by the tea industry. Independent ETP monitors from PriceWaterhouse Coopers visit the member tea gardens, taking notes of current conditions, as well as any changes from previous visits. |
| Because they are already familiar with local laws, customs, statutes, and languages, the ETP monitors are able to observe and evaluate a garden's condition without prejudice. Monitor's usually visit a tea garden for several days, interviewing the workers, managers, and estate owners, along with any village or community members who interact with those on the tea estate. The tea estates aren't asked to conform to any harsh certification standards or economic models, and there is no cost to them for participating in the program. Any increase in price the individual tea gardens might receive will be based on a higher quality product and the reputation gained by having their tea grown under higher standards. The ETP's goal is to continue to improve the workplace quality, which will in turn improve the quality of the product, giving tea buyers an added incentive to buy tea from ethically sourced gardens. As of 2008 the ETP expanded their global standard. It is now based on the Ethical Trading Initiatives base code principals, environment, and community issues, which are all added to by trade union agreements and each country's individual laws. More emphasis is being placed on setting up best practices in tea estates and factories, and on tea estate management systems that strive to maintain ETP standards. ETP members can add the ETP logo along with the words "working for a responsible tea industry" on their packaging to identify their tea as being grown under ETP standards. Some packers who endorse the goals of the ETP will list the web site on their packaging, and many bulk tea sellers will list a specific tea garden as being ETP monitored. Enjoy. |
| For more information and to learn more about tea, visit our other pages. What is Fair Trade and how does it work? The origins of the early Fair Trade program and the organizations that helped to develop it and are considered to be the founding fathers of Fair Trade. Organic teas aren't just good for you, but Mother Earth, too. Learn how organic teas are grown, and how to ensure the tea you're buying is certified organic by the country it was grown in. Tea and caffeine - how the caffeine in tea affects us. A look at the amount of caffeine in each type of tea and how it affects our body, as well as the positive and negative effects it may have on our system as a stimulant. The secret of China's medicinal pu-erh teas. For centuries China has been making pu-erh teas using a secret manufacturing process. Learn what scientists have gleaned about this secret process, and how it works to produce these unique teas. |
| How do I calculate how much loose tea to use for brewing either one cup or a pot of tea? Learn how to measure the proper amount of tea to perfectly brew either a single cup or entire pot of tea. Also learn how to calculate the number of cups and cost per pound of loose tea. Learn where and how the beloved teapot began. Nearly every home has a teapot - some that are used daily and some that are purely decorative. Learn where and how the beloved teapot of today began its journey centuries ago. (Try Genmaicha Tea from Silver Leaf Tea - a mixture of milder, low caffeine bancha green tea, popped corn, and toasted hulled rice kernels makes for a refreshing, savory tea that's especially good w/light foods). Down and out with a cold or the flu? Then this recipe is for you! If you've been hit by a cold or influenza virus, this is one tea recipe that will get you back up and on your feet and feeling rosy again in no time. How does tea help boost the immune system? Learn what ingredients are in tea that help give your lagging immune system a boost, then helps to maintain it at an optimum level. (Try EnergiTea from Silver Leaf Tea for a great afternoon energy pick-up or just to enjoy. This healthy, energizing tea contains green tea, rooibos, ginseng root, linden blossoms, rose petals, and lemon & orange flavor. Very low caffeine so no jittery hi-low feeling-just a nice, healthy pick-me-up and great tasting, too). Are you always on the go? Take your tea with you. Tea tools, like travel, electric, and insulated mugs keep your tea hot while on the go. Learn about other convenient tools and accessories that will help you take your tea on the go and enjoy it anywhere. What's the difference between China's pan fired green tea and basket fired green tea? Learn how the processing method for pan fired green tea and basket fired green tea differs, and the secret to their unique flavors and qualities. Do you have a question about tea? If you've read through our pages and still have a question about tea we haven't covered, please feel free to visit our questions and contact page and ask away and we'll try our best to find the answer. |
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