THE TEA THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. (Co-op Fairtrade Organic Tea Bags)

Member Name: PRINCESSPUSSYCAT

Product:	Co-op Fairtrade Organic Tea Bags
Date:	08/11/07 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You Are Supporting third World Countries.

Disadvantages: Some may find it too tart for their tastebuds.

The British are one of the largest tea consumers in the world with each person consuming on average 2.1 kg per year.



****Co-Op Fair Trade Organic Tea Bags****

I have never tried Organic Teabags before so I was quite looking forward to actually tasting and reviewing my favourite hot drink in the Organic form. I went to the Teabag section in the Co-op, and searched high and low, but they were not to be found anywhere on these shelves. So I asked an assistant if they had any Organic Teabags in their store. He directed me to a single shelf where they kept their Fairtrade goods. Now this was a tiny slim shelf and only contained a very small range of Fairtrade items.


I wondered if this would grow over the months and years to become very much a part of the co-op range. At present there was only coffee, marmalade, sugar, and a few other items on display. The only actual Co-op branded items on this shelf were the Organic Teabags. They cost me £1.95 for 80 Teabags weighing 250 g.

There are four aspects to this review as I see it. The actual Teabags, the Co-operative Society, Fairtrade, and organic produce. So please bear with me as each section relates to, and has a baring on, the other.



****THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY****

I was interested to find out how the Co-op society had been formed. The society was established on the 21st of November, 1816, by the Officers and Workmen of His Majesty's Dock Yard, Ordnance and New Work, at Sheerness, in the Isle of Sheppey, to the purpose of obtaining for themselves and their families, a supply of Bread Flour, and Butchers Meat. From that day forward it became knows as 'The Economical Society.' and then went on to flourish and grow into the great consumers' co-operative societies of today. The Co-op is the UK's largest community food retailer, and the Co-operative Farms is the largest farmer in the UK.


****Giving you the Consumer a share of the profits****

The Co-op group have recently replaced the Dividend card, which is a card that is swiped when you buy purchases from the Co-op, with the Members card. The benefits of having one of these Member cards is that you will now get an even bigger share of the profits. The scheme states that you earn approximately 5p for every £1 that your spend, and this will be for Co-op branded items only. They will send you vouchers twice yearly in May and November, and the vouchers are to be used within one year of you receiving them. The Co-op also send out booklets containing money off coupons. So the Company is sharing their profits with the consumer.



***Co-op Fair Trade Organic Teabags***

The Product.
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The teabags are housed in a forest green square shaped box. They are neatly finished off with a sealed cellophane wrapper. To the top of the box there is a gold metallic strip which you pull to open. On the front of the box you have a picture of a steaming hot cup of tea, rich in colour, and looking very inviting. The words Co-op Fair Trade are to the top of the box, and ORGANIC in large writing beneath this. It also states that the box contains 80 Teabags. To the right top hand side you have the Fair Trade symbol, which is blue and green in colour.
It's claim is that it 'Guarantees a better deal for Third World Producers.'' Beneath this Logo is another denoting 'Soil Association- Organic Standard, and the weight which is 250 g, and telling us to store in a cool dry place. The box is well made, and attractive in colour. To the reverse of the pack is information on the Organic Tea. It is produced in the Organic Tea Estate in Southern Tanzania, and it tells a story of how Fairtrade is impacting the lives in the community.


The Aroma .
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On opening the flip-top box I am greeted with a waft of Tea which smells distinctly grassy, it has a very unusual smell of herbs and wood, with a smoky undertone. I think that sums it up quite well. I've just had another deep sniff and it definitely has a strange smell of smoke about it! So now I am wondering what on earth it will taste of!

The Appearance.
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The Teabags are round in white circular pouches and they appear and are sized as any other standard branded Teabag is. I have torn one open and the tea leaves are tiny and very dark. They are more of an even colour than my other tea bag contents that I have just compared it to. The Teabag is half full with small Tea leaves. Or half empty for the Pessimists out there ;0

The Colour.
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As I pour the boiling water into the cup I observe that the the tea is a rich Amber colour. I leave it for a moment to infuse before I put my milk in- On pouring the milk I notice it is now turning into a nice golden brown colour ready for the drinking!

The All Important Taste Test.
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As I put the cup to my lips I am greeted my a hot smell of aromatic Tea. On first tasting my impression is that of a rich strong flavour, tart and crisp. It is a good strong cup of Tea. It does taste a little woody, but I am actually quite liking it. It's got a depth of flavour that is very satisfying. I have to say I wasn't expecting to like this, but it is a lovely cup of Tea. It's strong, it's rich and it's full of flavour. It's a bit different, with a taste of it's own, but it definitely is a good cuppa!
Interesting to note that the earliest plantations of Tea in 1928 were planted between rows of Tobacco on the Satemwa Estate where the Co-op Tea is taken from. Two seasons of tobacco were harvested in order to generate cash flow to sustain the business through the first 2/3 years before any tea leaf could be harvested from the bushes. Could this be the distinctive flavour I am tasting? ~ I think what gives it that distinctive quality also is the fact that is is Organic.

Organic.
*******
Any food labelled organic must meet a strict set of standards. Look for the Soil Association symbol for your guarantee of the highest organic standards. Food additives linked to asthma and heart disease are among those banned under organic standard. Organic farming limits the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Any food labelled organic must meet a strict set of standards, and the Soil Association symbol represents the guarantee of the highest organic level. Also banned is the use of GM technology(Genetic Modification).
The treatment of animals is in a much more natural, free-range condition, and they are fed a natural diet. Organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil. Another restriction in place is that animals are not given antibiotics, drugs, or wormers routinely as part of their rearing. Organic food does tastes better. I think it has so much more natural flavour. And let's face it, it has to be healthier for you to eat food that hasn't been sprayed with chemicals and Pesticides, doesn't it?


FAIRTRADE.
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What is Fairtrade? And what part does it have to play in it's relations to the Co-op?

** The Co-op have supported Fairtrade from its beginnings. They have over 3, 000 stores nationwide now stocking Fairtrade goods, and they are taking the Fairtrade message to more communities than any other retailer. 'The Co-operative's ever-growing range of Fairtrade products is helping thousands of impoverished growers work their way out of poverty.' Their Fairtrade record speaks for itself. In the year 2000 the Co-op group introduced the UK'S first Fairtrade Bananas. Co-op Milk Chocolate was the UK's first own-brand product to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark.


** In 2002, they converted all its own-brand block chocolate to Fairtrade. They were the first people to introduce Fairtrade Mangoes, Bananas and Pineapples. Also Their Fairtrade Wine was the first in the UK. The Co-op launched guides on how Schools could become Fairtrade friendly. They introduced their own label Wines from South Africa grown by 22 farms belonging to the Co-operative. This is one of the biggest Fairtrade projects in the World. They have produced a Fairtrade cotton bag for life, and their expectations are to replace the 3.5 plastic carriers they sell each year at the moment with the cotton ones. So they are also concerned, and doing their bit for the envirement.

The Co-operative Group will be launching a new nationwide scheme, offering a total of £25,000 in vouchers for community groups and individuals to organise their own events to promote Fairtrade - Information packs are available by contacting Freephone 0800 0686727.

** The Co-op is heading a programme with leading development organisations to bring safe and decent working conditions for workers in factories producing Co-op goods around the world **

The co-operative's commitment to Fairtrade is recognized within the industry and they have been chosen to receive many awards for their dedicated work. The Co-op have the most stringent non-animal testing policy of all grocery retailers for over 10 years now and have actively campaigned against animal testing for cosmetic and non-essential purposes. They were the first major retailer to support the RSPCA's farm animal welfare standards. All their own Household and beauty products are free from animal testing, and they have the RSPCA logo on. Their valuable work and progression in Fairtrade is close to their heart and is ongoing.

'One water' is yet another Fairtrade product the Co-op is selling " I have been buying this for a while now, and at 45p a bottle you can be doing your bit, without breaking the bank~
One billion people in the world don't have access to clean water, and two million people die every year from water-related diseases.
'One' is a bottled water with a difference, with proceeds going to build unique roundabout-powered wells, which bring much-needed water to some of the poorest communities in Africa.



**So in my summing up of the Co-op Organic Fairtrade Tea**

I have to say I really enjoyed it. It has a very individual taste. It quenched my thirst, it had a lovely rich strong flavour. It was very aromatic, and it's Organic and Fairtrade. It costs a little more than most leading brands, but if it is helping the envirement and underpriviledged Countries then I shall definitely convert to this now. It compares favourably to conventional Teabags and though a little dearer in price, the blend of Tea is definitely a richer variety. After researching Fairtrade for this review I shall also be buying other Fairtrade items as well. Big Respect to the Co-operative Group for all their work in Fairtrade and for their efforts in supporting underdevoloped Countries and their workers, and for giving them real hope for the Future. ~


Availibility Co-op Organic Fairtrade Teabags.
The Co-op- £1.95 for 80 Teabags. 250 g.

Visit www.co-opfairtrade.co.uk
Email: customer.relations@co-op.co.uk

The Co-operative Group
Customer Relations
Freepost MR9473
Manchester
M4 8BB


Thank you for reading.
PRINCESSPUSSYCAT 2007.

Summary: A rich, strong cup of Tea.