Rishi Tea

Rishi Tea goes back to 1997, when Joshua Kaiser decided to make the delicious traditional handcrafted teas he loved (hat were mainly found only in Asia) available to North American consumers. His belief was that people who had learned to enjoy the pleasures of gourmet coffees from around the world would also welcome the experience of these superb teas. Of course, he was right.

The Rishi Tea Company offers high quality loose-leaf tea from all over Asian made by remaining loyal to the ancient methods and traditions, while still adhering to Fair Trade standards and organic cultivation techniques. It paid off, for his commitment has made him a well established leader in specialty teas.

It all began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he and his partner, Benjamin Harrison hand blended and packaged imported premium blends that Joshua had discovered in his travels.

Soon they were required to expand their facilities, but they didn’t give up the practice of hand blending and packaging…all under the eye of strict quality control.

They are constantly checking on their tea crops in China, Japan, Laos, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, and Thailand, staying close to the artisans and farmers that have tended the tea generation after generation.

Between the tried and true methods of the past and the newer, more efficient and sanitary practices introduced by Trishi Tea, both the entrepreneur and the artisan have managed to provide wonderful teas to the rest of the world.

The company was one of the first to receive organic certification in 2002 and was also in the forefront regarding Fair Trade…known to be one of the highest payers to farmers and artisans alike, providing them with a better life, improved communities, safe working conditions, and education.

In addition to all that, their tea is amazing. At the world Tea Championships last year they took eleven first place awards for best tea! Their teas are fresh each and every season, always direct from the origin, and each with its own distinct flavors and scents.

Let’s look at some of the wonderful teas offered by Rishi Tea. The Green Pu-erhs are made from Saiqing Ya Cha; sun dried green tea sprouts that faintly remind you of fruit and honey. They do not require aging. Black Pu-erh is a darker green tea.

To be authentic, these teas must be made from Yunnan’s broad-leaf tea trees, both wild and semi-wild. They are picked, withered, roasted, rolled, kneaded in the sun, reversed and dried before grading.

This tea is not coarse and doesn’t contain the harsh smokiness that is found in other Pu-erh teas.

Every Rishi tea is uniquely flavored, allowing a gourmet tea lover to identify the origin, variety, method of processing, and vintage of each perfect cupful. Western Hubei (Zuan En Fair Trade Cooperative)produces Lu Zen, or "Green Needles" tea, one of the best tasting and most reasonably priced teas available today.