Tea Loose Leaf
Tea Loose Leaf
The tea industry in the United Sates is a growth industry and the role of retailers or value added resellers has played an important part in the overall expansion. Value added resellers and retailers add significant value to the tea industry as they bundle tea offerings with quality dining and other services but they must be supported by comprehensive wholesale programs that are reliable , consistent and profitable.
What trends are driving the market?
In most countries in the world, tea is the second most popular beverage after water. The one exception is tea drinking in the United States. But the market for quality loose leaf tea has unlimited upside potential for tea drinkers in this country.
The market for high quality loose leaf tea is experiencing strong growth and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The growth of revenue and profits in the value added retail sector of the market is also very strong particularly when tea is prepared and presented as a part of a total offering in tea rooms, fine dining establishments and hotels.
There are a number of factors influencing this growth in loose leaf tea demand:
- The incredible good taste of tea and blends.
- The health benefits of tea.
- The wide variety of tea flavors and blends.
- A growing awareness about the enjoyment benefits of loose leaf tea .
- An expansion of the value added reseller network for quality loose tea.
- Many consumers are looking for an alternative to coffee as a hot or iced drink of choice.
- Consumers are tired of the "tea bag mentality" where the taste and quality of tea is sacrificed for the convenience of the tea bag.
Because of a number of historic factors like the American Revolution and other socio-economic events, the market for loose leaf teas was stalled for over two centuries in the United States but that is changing dramatically and rapid growth is now a fact.
What is the biggest mistake retailers make in regards to their tea program?
The biggest mistake that retailers make is the failure to prepare and present tea properly.
Quality tea, served either hot or iced, is a wonderful discriminator for any restaurant, tea room or hotel. Quality, loose leaf tea on the menu of a high quality food establishment will separate the retailer from the competition.
Quality tea can also serve as a profit center for the retailer as consumers are willing to pay extra for a quality cup of hot tea or glass of quality iced tea.
Many resellers however, have not focused on the value that tea can bring to their Unique Selling Proposition. Through oversight in the tea offering, many consumers are left with lower levels of satisfaction and this is adversely affecting retailers and their overall product offering.
For consumers, there is nothing more deflating for the total dining experience than a bad cup of tea, offered without consideration to the consumer. At the close of an otherwise ideal meal experience costing in excess of $100.00 per person, customer satisfaction can be ruined by simple oversight. This happens time and again as tea drinkers, expecting a quality brew are slighted by a saucer with tea bags mixed with a cup or bowl of warm tap water.
Ending a meal this way is a good way to loose customers to the competition.
Advice to retailers to maximize their tea program
High quality loose leaf tea can play an important part in a retailer's business. As the demand for quality loose leaf tea expands, retailers should :
- Understand the tea culture and the role of tea in growing your business
- Use only the highest quality loose leaf tea
- Train your staff to prepare and present both hot and iced tea in a quality manner.
- Offer the customer the best tea ware (tea infusers and pots) to complete the presentation.
- Include quality tea as part of you Unique Value Proposition and product/service offering.
Things to keep in mind for new retailers
The most important thing is to deal with a tea manufacturer that offers a total benefit program to the retailer including:
- Highest quality, best tasting tea backed up by superior packaging and a no questions asked guarantee of quality.
- Dedicated customer support with staff knowledgeable about tea and the tea business (not just taking orders)
- Multiple-tier wholesale pricing. with volume based discounts.
- Easy ordering and order lookup
- Unlimited shipping locations per order.
- Single point of billing for multiple locations
- Automatic recall of locations and recipients.
Value added tea resellers and retailers add significantly to the tea industry but they also need quality wholesale programs to support their value added efforts. Retailers should seek out the best tea suppliers that meet their value added requirements.
Jon M. Stout is Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, wholesale tea and black tea go to goldenmoontea.com
Brewing Loose Leaf Tea : Loose Leaf Tea Vs. Tea Bags
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 Hibiscus Tea Loose Leaf 16 oz One Pound Herbal  US $8.50
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 Rooibos Masala Chai Loose Leaf Tea 1 4 lb US $4.10
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 Blueberry Pie Blend Loose Leaf Black Tea 1 4 lb US $3.02
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 TEAVANA Yunnan Emerald Buds Tea 2OZ loose leaf US $5.49
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 Provence Rooibos Loose Leaf Red Tea 1 4 lb US $2.25
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 Gyokuro Japanese Style Green Tea loose leaf 4 OZ Packed in a box US $12.99
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 PURE ORGANIC ROOIBOS TEA 1 2 LB LOOSE LEAF US $9.99
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 5 lbs Premium China Pearl Jasmine GREEN LOOSE LEAF TEA US $167.31
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 Chocolate Loose Leaf Flavored Black Tea 1 4 lb US $.99
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 Irish Breakfast Green Loose Leaf Tea 1 4 lb US $.99
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 T POUCH T SAC LOOSE LEAF TEA COFFEE FILTER HERB BAG US $9.46
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 Lemon Grass Chai Loose Leaf Tea 1 4 lb US $.99
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 The Tao of Tea Loose Leaf 100 Organic Lincang Maofeng Green Tea lot of 2 tins US $9.99
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 Authentic Thai Iced Tea Loose Leaf Black Tea w Filter Imported from Thailand US $15.50
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 Sowmee White Loose Leaf Tea 1 4 lb US $.99
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 Taiwan Taroko honey frangrace black tealoose leaf 2011 spring 75g 025bl US $10.00
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 Black Currant natural flavored black tea loose leaf tea 3 OZ Bag US $.99
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 LOOSE LEAF SLIMMING WEIGHT LOSS DIET OOLONG HERBAL TEA US $7.88
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 Jumbo Variety Sample Pack Premium Loose Leaf Tea US $15.00
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 Green Tea Chai Loose Leaf Tea 1 4 lb US $.99
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Finum 100 Tea Filters, Large, Brown List Price: $9.95 Sale Price: $3.95  |
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Unbleached natural tea filters. These large filters are perfect for brewing loose-leaf tea in a pot or cup of your choice. Simply open the filter and place your favorite tea or blend inside and enjoy! 100 filters per box. |
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FertiliTea: A Natural Fertility Tea Blend List Price: $20.00 Sale Price: $14.95 |
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FertiliTea is the all-natural tea designed to enhance fertility. Developed by leading fertility expert, Dr. Amos Grunebaum, FertiliTea contains ingredients that have been scientifically demonstrated to optimize your chances of conceiving... |
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The Tea Spot Steeping Mug, 3-Piece Handcrafted Porcelain Ceramic Tea Mug with Infuser & Lid, 16-Ounce, color: Blue Sky List Price: $22.00 Sale Price: $16.99 |
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Enjoy tea for one without the hassle of preparing a full pot with this steeping mug set by The Tea Spot. Hand crafted out of stylish blue porcelain, the mug insulates and keeps your tea warm and drinkable... |
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NEW THERMOS NS105BK004 SIPP(TM) VACUUM INSULATED TUMBLER (ELECTRONICS-OTHER) List Price: $52.32 Sale Price: $35.37 |
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16-OZ CAPACITY; DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATION FOR MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RETENTION; BPA-FREE, UNBREAKABLE STAINLESS STEEL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR; LEAK-PROOF LID WITH 1-HAND PUSH BUTTON OPERATION; BUILT-IN TEA HOOK, EASILY HOLDS TEA BAGS OR MOST LOOSE LEAF INFUSERS; DISHWASHER SAFE |
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PG Tips Black Tea, Pyramid Tea Bags, 240-Count Boxes (Pack of 2) List Price: $38.99 Sale Price: $24.99 |
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UK's no. 1 tea. Better taste, free flow bag. With PG, you've not only got a tasty cuppa, but a healthier diet brewing! Caffeine in tea is relatively low, almost half as much caffeine as coffee, and moderate amounts of tea (6 cups/day) do not show adverse effects on the body... |