A 'FAIR' CHANGE MADE FOR A CONSCIENCE-DRIVEN TEABAG 'TRADE'... (Clipper Fairtrade Tea)

Member Name: totalserenity

Product:	Clipper Fairtrade Tea
Date:	03/06/09 (349 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: YOU PURCHASE A GOOD QUALITY PRODUCT & HELP SEVERAL DIFFERENT NATIONS ESTATE WORKERS AT THE SAME TIME

Disadvantages: CAN BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER NAMED BRANDS - ALTHO ARE ON 'HEIGHTENING AWARENESS' OFFER AT THE MO

Say what you want about this new age bracket of technology-fed, hand reared on console games, indulged and cosseted youths - but the one thing these human gifts to the Earth's future are - is more educated than the older generation stalwarts in the ways of recycling, distasteful prejudices (far too many and varied); plus the morally abhorrent Third World poverty, depravation and neglect that disgracefully still exists today...

I am proud - if a tad more impoverished myself now due to her admirable integrity - to say my Emo/Goth teenage darling daughter falls under the category of a more caring, sharing, young and idealistic individual; who believes that small consumer baby steps can culminate in big adult-like changes for the less fortunate members on this big blue wondrous planet of ours.

During a 'big shop' at Morrisons two weeks ago now, Goth-Zilla seemed especially motivated to take a keen interest in the different sized sturdy, machine-stitched re-usable carrier bags being prominently displayed - stressing rather vocally that we should buy at least three (including a 10p Cancer Research plastic one).

Of course, ethically my daughter's arguments for 'saving the planet' were sound; less plastic manufactured if we all did our 'bit' by recycling our generally disposable shopping bags spoke my girl's honed and sensible social conscience.
Thus, my one floral indulgence of the week - a bunch of reduced 99p lemon-hued carnation flowers were henceforth sent back to the black storage bucket I had gluttonously snatched them from - and a trio of funky carriers were bought in their place!

Not surprisingly, I felt better for my miniscule sacrifice, and genuinely hope we have helped in some small way...

Next on the agenda were much needed teabags, as my heart had nearly skipped at least two beats on spying only half a dozen little pyramid teabags sat in solitude on the bottom of my chrome and glass tea caddy that very morning!
As a 'Loud and Proud' chocoholic, running out of my beloved beverage is second only to not having any Cadbury's left in my kitchen's Confectionery stacker box drawer!

Speedily - well as much as I can with my dodgy arthritic facet joints - heading towards the hot drinks aisle, I hoped there would be a decent offer on one of the labelled brands of Cha, so I could afford to stock up again.

With a quick gander up and down that particular section, Gothy happened upon two different 'Clipper' labelled boxes of 'Natural, Fair & Delicious' offerings just as my covetous little paw was just about to grab a bargain box of 160 Typhoo pyramid bags for only £2.50...

"Ahem" Goth-Zilla fair growled in frowning discouragement, whilst superciliously wafting the duo of 80 tea bagged 'Fairtrade' and 'Organic' packets towards me.

Face falling; I knew my child meant business as her Cyclops eye was positively glaring at me to see things 'Her' way...

Well I would, of course, if I sported a Hitler-style flopped-over-face fringe to display only one ocular aid!

A few minutes later we had studied both boxes intently to try and ascertain the differences between them.
The Organic option looked identical to the Fairtrade choice; both the packaging looked identical in colouring and wording except that the latter alternative had a dark brown background with green, white and brown writing set against a white silhouetted teapot - whereas the former was a mirror image of the Fairtrade item...

Gothy opted for the ying/yang type emblem of the Fairtrade trademark as the blurb on the side of the biodegradable carton informed us 'We only work with producers who are striving to improve standards of welfare for workers and their families'.

At a third off the original RRP my box of unbleached little rectangles of dried tea leaved flavour cost a very reasonable £1.29 for 250 gram, whereas the organic version was £1.22.

Figuring it wasn't a high price to pay if I didn't like the infusion these perforated rectangles released, I was at least doing my bit for the less fortunate estate workers in Sri Lanka, Africa and India too...

The manufacturers explain their ethical aims on the back of the box, saying 'Clipper products are made with pure ingredients and a clear conscience. We use only the highest-quality sources, add nothing artificial and strive to improve the welfare of the workers. No wonder they taste so good'; with more information regarding their product beneath promising a 'Full bodied, rich and refreshing blend of teas...' from the aforementioned global areas.

Ethically it all sounds very good; with the ingredients listed as 'Faritrade tea' with these tea bags being 'certified to International Fairtrade Standards' - the ingredients from the various countries being imported to the UK to be backed by Clipper teas Ltd. The Fairtrade Foundation now sells over 3000 certified products in the UK alone via catering and retail outlets.

Now when the concept of Fairtrade was first introduced into the marketplace it sounded morally very altruistic; however in practice the prices were extremely high - making most of these honourable products way out of this reviewer's limited income price bracket.
Luckily, as the concept has taken off very, very well indeed, the cost of the merchandise has become much more affordable; with the likes of ground and instant coffees, green, herbal, and fruit teas available to name but a few of their wholesome beverages...

Needless to say, these worthwhile little delicious smelling bags made their way home with me, and as soon as Gothy and I got home that kettle went on and I was ready to Taste Test away!

First thing to comment upon is the fact I have never seen unbleached teabags before, and my word they do look strange compared to the usual white versions we are usually met by on unwrapping the plastic splinter-packed outer protective cover.
The colour is akin to a murky wishy-washy light brown, which was a bit disconcerting at first, but I've soon got used to them!

With a BBE date of 09/05/11 these little parchment-like opaque paper bags will be lucky to last much longer as I have nearly ploughed through the lot!

There is even advice on the back on how to make the perfect cup of tea, bless Clipper!

As a bona fide 'teabody' I just do as it says on the box really - pour boiling hot water onto the fragrant bag - then leave to soak for a couple of minutes to allow the tealeaves essence to permeate into the steaming water.

I don't EVER put my milk in the cup first, that is a total abomination of everything I hold dear when making a beloved brew!!

My first attempt with this brand was an unmitigated dish-wash water weak disaster, and to be honest I put it down to my usual impatience at needing a sip of a hot, refreshing drink far too quickly!
Don't forget, dear dooyoo'ers, I had been dealing with the looser pyramid shaped bags for a while, so to go back to the standard old-style flat rectangular design of bag was a difference I foolishly had taken not into account...

Obviously my second attempt was much, much better!

Leaving the second teabag to stew alone- well let's face it, it can be like trying to watch paint dry waiting for those tiny brown leaf fragments to infuse into the hot, originally clear liquid - I duly trotted back to check on my cuppa's fermenting progress a couple of minutes later.
With a final flourishing squeeze to tease the last tannin drops into the now rich medium brown brew; a sweetener and a decent drop of low fat milk added for good measure, I checked the fragrance within this time with my nose rather than my impatient taste buds!

'Mmm', the first tentative sip was divine! The second even better! To say this Fairtrade brand has its own unique undercurrent of after-flavour would be an understatement I think...

Quite strong in its infusion; to my palate it was evident there were several different essences at work here; and again I must admit to being surprised at the quality of the flavours within as it packed quite a strong after-taste punch that lingered on a while after the cup had been eagerly drained.

'Full-bodied' it is indeed; 'Rich' oh yes I should say so, and 'Refreshing', why undoubtedly so!

As I sit here typing, two conjoined teabags to one side, the wonderful aroma of a truly magnificent tea assails my senses, insidiously urging me to go put the kettle on...

Would I buy these again, all questions of doing the decent thing by buying Fairtrade merchandise wherever/whenever possible?

Yes, indeed I would, for as a super quality, medium strength enjoyable brew in its own right these Clipper fairy-light treasures are a find for sure.
I recommend them to anyone who respects the rights of plantation workers; plus if said person really enjoys a high grade tea then you would be doing a three-fold favour - and everyone is a winner then - you, the less fortunate members of Earth, plus the workers within the UK employed by this company...

Health wise, nowadays the antioxidant qualities of this plant's rejuvenating leaves is renowned in the fight against those nasty harmful free radicals - but also well advertised is that a good old cup of Cha can have a mildly diuretic effect if drank too excessively (last time I checked the stats the recommended amount per day was 2-6 cups).

Well you know what they say 'A little of what you fancy does you good', so as with all liquids it's a fine balance as far as consumption goes...so don't ask how much I drink - let's just say 'lots'!

Last but not least, a passionate 5 steamy tea-steeped Stars today; plus a big Thank You to my beautiful daughter for teaching me to shop with more of a social conscience than I already had...Ooh, and don't forget to plant your used teabags in the soil if you have a garden, the plants love 'em too - it's true!


***There is a customer services address on the side of the pack if you have any queries. Alternatively you can log on the company's website on: www.clipper-teas.com for more information regarding their ranges, extra information, plus competitions to enter.

The Fairtrade Foundation website address is: www.fairtrade.org.uk for more facts and figures regarding their trading ethics, in addition to the organisation's longer term aims***

Summary: WE CAN ALL CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING THOSE LESS AFFLUENT THAN OURSELVES BY OUR USUAL SUPERMARKET CHOICES