Is tea part of your daily routine? We’re big organic tea drinkers here at Stonyfield and one of our favorite brands is a new partner in the myStonyfield Rewards program. Teatulia tea comes direct to you from their single garden in Northern Bangladesh’s Tetulia region where they let Mother Nature encourage their teas and herbs while rejuvenating the land, resulting in an uncomprimisingly clean flavor. Plus, Teatulia puts a lot of thought behind their packaging. Compostable canisters, biodegradable silken pyramid tea bags, water based inks and labels made from recycled paper — delicious tea with a mission!
We are happy to introduce Teatulia’s co-founder and CEO, Linda Appel Lipsius:
How did Teatulia get started?
Teatulia’s teas are grown in a single garden in Northern Bangladesh, the only tea garden in Bangladesh to be USDA certified organic. The garden was started in 2000 by my business partner, Teatulia founder and president, K. Anis Ahmed. He adds, “We wanted to create jobs in this remote and impoverished rural area. But we also wanted to do it in a socially responsible manner, hence organic tea.”
A friend to my husband Adam, he was discussing a possible move into the U.S. tea market during a visit to the United States in 2006. I had a background in marketing and was interested in the mission of Teatulia (named for Tetulia, the region in Bangladesh where the tea is grown), and I offered to analyze the potential U.S. tea market. Though I quickly discovered the most formidable challenge — the average American doesn’t know a lot about tea — I realized the company’s unique focus on organic tea and corporate social responsibility had potential.
A partnership was born, and now I work from Teatulia’s office in Denver, managing sales and operational issues. In April, I visited the garden in Bangladesh to see firsthand the expanded operations. In addition to providing workers with a living wage, the Teatulia Cooperative also offers education, as well as health and cattle-lending programs for the garden’s workers and neighbors.
What is your company’s mission/philosophy?
To do things better. To give back. Farm responsibly. Treat people right. Package minimally.
Why are you excited about being a partner in the rewards program?
We think it’s ideal to partner with like-minded companies, and who better defines the concept of “Green Business” than Stonyfield? Stonyfield really paved the way for companies such as Teatulia to succeed with a sustainable business model. It’s like we get to partner up with one of our heroes!
Tell us about one thing your company is working on right now that you are really excited about.
We are just about to open our first community retail concept called Tea Bar by Teatulia. Tea Bar will feature organic and unique teas from all over the world, artisan pour-over coffee and extraordinary sweet and savory food from locally produced sources! It will also provide a fabulous space to meet friends, work or just relax.
What is your favorite flavor of Stonyfield yogurt?
I’ve always been partial to the classic Strawberry and French Vanilla flavors. Yum!
Check out Teatulia organic teas in an eco-friendly canister on our myStonyfield Rewards site and if you are not already a rewards member, sign up here!
What’s your favorite pairing with organic tea? Organic cookies? Organic toast? Organic yogurt?
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