JOURNAL

As part of our ongoing efforts to minimize waste and promote sustainability, we have chosen to use 100% recycled cardboard for our outer packaging. The cardboard recycling process in India begins with the collection of discarded paper and card, which is transformed into paper sludge. Rolled out into flat sheets and sun-dried, these sheets are then pressed, flattened, and cut into packaging-ready cardboard.

By using recycled cardboard, we not only conserve natural resources and reduce energy consumption but also decrease landfill waste and our carbon footprint. The natural scent of our packaging serves as a gentle reminder that our choices contribute to a more sustainable future. Together, let's continue to strive for a cleaner and healthier environment for generations to come.

As an avid tea drinker from India, I was always on the lookout for a tea that matched the strong and fresh taste that I grew up with. However, when I moved back to Australia, I found that most teas available in the market were not up to my standards. That's when I started to research and discovered the disturbing reality of pesticides on tea leaves.

Due to the minimal processing that tea leaves undergo before consumption, any pesticides sprayed on the tea plants can easily make their way into your cup. This realisation led me on a mission to find and locate the highest-grade teas that are certified organic and trusted.

I spent months in Darjeeling learning about the process and cultivation of organic tea, and it was eye-opening to see how much effort goes into transitioning a tea plantation to organic practices. The farmers had to make sacrifices in output to farm in a sustainable and organic way.

While some tea companies may claim that their teas are pesticide-free, the reality is that it can be difficult to fully eliminate pesticides from tea leaves. This is why it's crucial to choose certified organic teas that are grown and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides.

Pesticides have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, neurological disorders, and hormonal imbalances. By choosing organic teas, you can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and support sustainable and ethical farming practices.

The next time you brew a cup of tea, remember that the choice of tea leaves can have a significant impact on your health. Choose certified organic teas to enjoy the full health benefits of tea while minimising your exposure to harmful chemicals.

Every morning, my partner Jo and I get up at 6:30 and brew a pot of tea in one of our small iron pots. We bring it back to bed to brew and then drink. It's a comforting routine that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Over the years, I've learned that the key to brewing a great cup of tea is in the details.

First and foremost, heating the pot before brewing is crucial. This helps to keep the water at a consistent temperature throughout the steeping process, ensuring that the tea is brewed evenly. I usually fill the pot with boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes before pouring out the water and adding the tea leaves.

Next, I make sure to wait at least five minutes for the tea to steep. This allows the tea leaves to fully infuse the water and release their flavour and aroma. Patience is key when brewing tea, and rushing the steeping process can result in a weaker, less flavourful cup.

For our breakfast tea, we love a strong brew with milk. I've even found a mini 100ml bottle that used to have peach nectar in it, which I use to add milk to our tea. It reminds me of the classic milk bottles that used to be delivered to houses every morning, something that I've never experienced but have seen in movies.

Brewing tea has become a ritual for us, one that we look forward to each morning. It's not just about the taste, but the experience of brewing and enjoying the tea together. Whether it's a quick cup in the morning or a leisurely pot on the weekend, taking the time to brew tea mindfully can make all the difference.

At The Organic Tea Project, we often receive feedback that our green tea is stronger than others on the market. This is due to a couple of factors. First, our green tea is the whole leaf, which offers a more nuanced and complex flavour profile compared to dust tea. Second, our tea is sourced directly from the tea garden and is much fresher than tea that has sat in auction houses for months.

But did you know that you can brew it twice? Green tea is a versatile and delicious tea that can be enjoyed in multiple cups, and re-brewing your tea leaves can save you money and reduce waste.

Here's how to do it:

1. Brew Your Tea at 80 Degrees: One thing to keep in mind when brewing green tea is to always use water that is around 80 degrees Celsius. Boiling water can scorch the tea leaves and result in a bitter taste. To achieve the ideal temperature, boil your water and then add a dash of cold water to the pot before adding the tea leaves.

2. Steep for the Right Amount of Time: When brewing green tea for the first time, steep the tea leaves for around two minutes. For the second brew, you can extend the steeping time to three or four minutes. This will allow you to extract the remaining flavor and nutrients from the tea leaves.

3. Enjoy Your Second Cup of Tea: While the second brew of green tea may have less caffeine than the first, it retains the same great taste and aroma. Plus, by reusing your tea leaves, you're reducing waste and getting more value for your money.

Overall, brewing green tea twice is a great way to get more out of your tea leaves and enjoy a delicious cup of tea. By following these simple steps, you can make the most out of your green tea and enjoy a sustainable and cost-effective tea drinking experience. So why not give it a try today and enjoy a second cup of tea?

As someone who has been drinking tea my whole life, I've always been amazed at the lack of awareness about the difference in quality between leaf tea bags and dust tea bags. While we go on and on about the special beans in coffee, we often default to a cheap dust teabag for a cup of tea. It wasn't until I discovered the benefits of using leaf tea bags that I truly began to appreciate the full flavor and health benefits of tea.

Using whole tea leaves in your tea bags can provide a host of health benefits, including higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals compared to dust tea bags. But the benefits of using leaf tea bags don't stop there. Leaf tea bags offer a more nuanced, complex flavor profile that is simply not possible with dust tea bags. In addition, using leaf tea bags can be a more sustainable and ethical choice. So why not join me on this journey and make the switch to leaf tea bags today?

Many tea drinkers may not realise the significant difference between pyramid tea bags and standard tea bags.

When we add artificial flavours to tea, we are essentially masking its natural flavour and disregarding the hard work that goes into producing a unique and high-quality tea. 

How to perfectly brew our Apres Meal iced tea.

We started The Organic Tea Project to introduce to the market the freshest, cleanest premium certified organic tea, free from chemicals and pesticides.

The process of tea production is a complicated one. To suppress disease, eliminate pests, boost production, and elongate shelf life, a cocktail of chemicals are used on crops which is inadequately washed off.