Monthly Archives: April 2008

The Teapot

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These days most tea companies offer some sort of tea accessories line.  Whether it’s appliances to brew your tea, tea cups, tea balls, sticks, infusers, you name it – it’s out there.  Tetulia is going to stick to making top quality organic tea and leave the accessories to the accessories professionals – but who are those professionals?  Of course, that depends on your personal taste.

Just like plucking the perfect tea leaf, there is a craft and artistry to potting the perfect tea pot.  One of our favorites is local Denver Artist Annie Crietzberg.  Not only does she creat a huge range of beautifuly unique tea pots, but they are also functional!

Another great source for unique tea pots is Etsy.com.  With over 27 pages dedicated to all sorts of creative, funky, traditional, vintage, and whimsical tea pots, there is surely something that will do justice to that perfect cup of tea you want to brew.

If there are potters out there that you love, we would love to know about them!  Just post their information in a comment.

All Working Together

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With the recent celebration of Earth Day, we wanted to recognize some of the other products/companies that we think are doing a great job making our earth a better, safer, and healthier place to live.

Pangea Organics – This luscious skin-care line is not only amazing as a product, but it’s also 100% organic. Pangea has taken organic and earth-friendly to the next level with its Ecocentric Skincare by creating beautiful packaging that you can actually plant! The recycled paper package even has seeds in it.
gDiapers – gDiapers has invented an earth-friendly, flushable diaper. They have very fashionable cotton, washable outer pant, with a plastic free, flushable refill.  If you prefer not to flush the gDiapers, you can compost them. They break down in 50-150 days.
Dream Soft Bedware – Dream Soft Bedware has developed a line of linens that are made from 100% organic cotton. These sheets range from 200-400 thread count and are available in all sizes.
Horizon Organic Dairy – Horizon gives every family an option to enjoy organic dairy products. They also helped the United States develop the National Organic Standards and the USDA seal.
Patagonia - Patagonia offers much more than clothing and gear (some of which are certified organic) for an active lifestyle. They offer a place where purchasing quality products actually helps better our world. They have developed extensive programs to let us, the consumer, participate in their own Social Responsibility programs. For example they have developed a Footprints Chronicles feature where consumers can track the life cycle of a product and see how it impacts our environment.

We would love to hear about your favorite products and companies that are Organic, or helping our environment in some way. Also, Please feel free to just add to our list via Comments!

Tetulia – More Than Organic

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By definition, to be certified USDA Organic, you must adhere to the following:

Avoidance of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge. At Tetulia, we go far beyond Organic: We follow the Masanobu Fukuoka “Do Nothing” farming method. The Fukuoka Method ensures that the land is empowered to constantly enrich itself – relying on rain water alone for irrigation, organically-grown native trees and ground cover for shade, organically-grown herbs and plant extracts for pest control, organic fertilizer from organically-raised cattle and virtually no tilling, weeding, etc.

Farmland must be free of residual chemicals, often for three or more years. Before planting our first Camellia Sinensis in the year 2000, the land had lain fallow. As you can see, now it is rich with organic tea, fruits and vegetables, and other plants, foods, and herbs to sustain our garden and people.
Before Tetulia: Virgin soil After Tetulia: Lush Tea Fields

Detailed production and sales records. Our records are so precise that we are able to trace back to the person who picked the tea that you enjoy at home. By recording all schedules and activities, this allows us to further develop our cooperative and reach out to our employees and surrounding villages.

Strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products. From planting the Camellia Sinensis to developing our packaging, we never sacrifice the delicate organic nature of our tea. We strive to be “More than organic” so that you may enjoy the benefits of our work, and also contribute to sustaining our precious environment.

Why Amerca Needs A Tea Renaissance

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America – put down your laptops and cellphones and go enjoy a nice cup of tea. (after you read this, of course)

Volume 2 of The Leaf, a free online-zine about tea, just published an article that I think is worthy of a glance from anyone who is so busy in their daily lives that they can’t even fathom taking 20 minutes to enjoy a cup of tea.

See Why America Needs A Tea Renaissance – by Sandy M. Bushberg

The true spirit of tea is one of generosity, where sharing and growth happen without the need for any kind of reimbursement. Like the ancient Daoist mendicants, we offer this cup to you without any qualifications. It sits gently steaming before you. May you drink of it fully and progress in your understanding of tea. – The-Leaf.org