Silk Road Teas, San Rafael, Ca., a wholesale importer of rare and artisan teas, is introducing an award-winning artisan tea line at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show (January 19-21, 2014, Booth # 4837). After 20 years of importing artisan teas for re-sale to tea and coffee companies, specialty grocers and tea drinkers throughout the U.S., this organic tea line marks the company's first branded tea line.

"Consumers have consistently shown they want higher grade teas - full-leaf, unadulterated varietals that are organic, tasteful and healthy," said Ned Heagerty, President of SRT. "Our artisan line answers this demand by offering awarding-winning tea that is better quality and more flavorful than is typically offered in a teabag."

Silk Road Teas' Tieguanyin oolong sachet won the 2013 North American Tea Championship for single-service teas. The new line features 8 varieties including white, green, Oolong, black and Pu-erh teas and a Chamomile flower tisane in a mesh-style, pyramid-shaped sachet. Heagerty noted the new line offers a higher grade leaf than is customary to the market and that the leaves were only partially milled resulting in an unusually strong flavor and depth of taste. The company will expand its line with additional teas and herbals planned for introduction in the first quarter of 2014.

"Over the years, we have developed access to some of China's finest teas," said Heagerty. "Once we find teas that offer strong, flavorful taste qualities, we work to preserve these flavors. The result is a cup of tea that yields a remarkably good taste that is groundbreaking for the U.S. market."

The tea box line is being packaged locally by adults with disabilities in support of the company's "hand in hand" program, an initiative to create jobs in the community for these individuals. Silk Road Teas' "hand in hand" program is also donating a percentage of its tea box sales to Ceres' Community Project, a Marin organization that has been working to create a healthy community around whole, sustainable food and the preparation of nourishing meals that sustain Marin families who are struggling with the challenges of life-threatening illness.

"We are grateful to our supportive partners. Silk Road Teas selection of premium organic teas carries the Ceres message and helps support our work with every purchase," stated Cathryn Couch, Ceres Executive Director.

"We want to create optimism about the future through 'hand in hand' by creating jobs in our business and our community," said Heagerty. "A key measure of our success will be in how many jobs we create for this very special community of adults that need inclusion in the workforce."

For further information, please call Ned Heagerty, Silk Road Teas, 415 458 8624.

Silk Road Teas
Ned Heagerty, 415-458-8624
nedh@silkroadteas.com