Mighty Leaf Tea Continues Expansion of Organic Tea Offerings with New Organic Spring Jasmine
San Rafael, CA – As part of an expansion to transition more teas to organics, Mighty Leaf Tea proudly introduces Organic Spring Jasmine.
The second of three existing blends transitioning to organic in 2007, Organic Spring Jasmine joins the recently introduced Organic Breakfast in retail cartons of 15 individually-wrapped Tea Pouches . Organic Breakfast was tapped in July 2007 by “Cook’s Illustrated” magazine as their pick for “best plain black tea” in the premium category.
Jasmine green tea is regarded as the oldest scented tea with roots in the Hunnan province during the Sung Dynasty 700 years ago. We bring this traditional tea alive in an organic way through blending smooth Chinese green whole tea scented by jasmine blossoms. Tea leaves can be easily scented since they take on the characteristics of what is blended in with them. Jasmine blossoms are collected in the daytime and stored until evening approaches. Then the jasmine flowers are layered over the tea leaves with another layer of tea and then another layer of jasmine. Since jasmine blossoms bloom at night, they infuse their floral aroma into the flavor of the tea leaves with their heady aroma lingering.
This blend pairs well with savory food such as Asian cuisine or rich chocolate desserts. Organic Spring Jasmine now replaces Mountain Spring Jasmine in retail cartons. The transition to Organic Spring Jasmine in foodservice boxes will take place spring 2008.
During 2006, Mountain Spring Jasmine, was slotted as the eighth most popular flavor in retail. In 2007, it had risen by .62%, enough of a shift to move it into the 5th most popular flavor in 2007. With its transition to organic, this blend will continue to move up in ranking.
“Green tea’s low caffeine and high antioxidant content make this floral blend a perfect choice for drinking in the afternoon,” said Gary Shinner, CEO of Mighty Leaf Tea.
The last blend to transition to organic in fourth quarter 2007, Darjeeling Choice Estate is an Indian varietal with delicately fruity muscatel notes, an aromatic nose and a sweet lingering finish.
Mighty Leaf Tea truly created the artisan-crafted blended tea category as it exists today. The company was formed in 1996 when Gary Shinner and Jill Portman founded the couple’s teahouse on Fillmore Street in San Francisco, and their quest to create the most incredible handcrafted whole-leaf tea blends from the finest, globally sourced ingredients led them to become the foremost tea company in the U.S. today. The company created the signature hand-stitched, translucent mesh Tea Pouch — since emulated throughout the industry — as the most effective way of delivering precision-portioned servings of its multi-dimensional whole-leaf tea blends filed with chunks of fruit, spices and flavors too big for ordinary tea bags. In 2005, Mighty Leaf became the first tea company to make its entire line of mesh Tea Pouches from biodegradable material, for which they won an award in 2006. For more information, please visit: mightyleaf.com
