And That's the Tea

Nothing says Welcome like a cup of tea or coffee. It’s an unspoken rule that you offer someone a tea or coffee when they come to visit. Whether it be for a job interview or a housewarming party, a hot drink provides the warmest welcome possible. Even the hairdressers are doing it these days. We’ve created a brand new Welcome Range and of course, we've gone BIG on the tea and coffee. But not just any tea and coffee, we've included only the finest tea and coffee we could find, provided to us by local producers, each with their own unique story. Here are a few of my favourites. 

Nemi Tea

Nemi are a London-Based Tea company that offer a wide variety of tea blends both in loose leaf and in teabags. They have a multitude of different flavours ranging from peppermint to earl grey, and even spicy chai. However, while we love Nemi and the quality of their products, we also love what they stand for and how they choose to protect their people and the environment.

Nemi are a fairtrade certified organisation, meaning that their farmers and workers can benefit from improved working conditions, training opportunities and more. They also provide employment to refugees and economic migrants, believing that they should benefit from the same opportunity to contribute to London and its economy.

Nemi are also an organic certified producer, meaning that they aim to ensure their tea is made in a way that is better for people, animals and the environment in general. Their teabags are 100% biodegradable while their packaging is based on cellulose- a sustainable and bio-based plastic alternative.

We love what Nemi are doing. I’m trying to cut down my caffeine intake, so I’ve replaced my afternoon coffee with a cup of Nemi Peppermint Tea. A fine replacement.

Qi

Qi are a small independent tea company based in Kent. Similar to Nemi, their roots are based in sustainability, organic ingredients and fairtrade agreements. The name comes from the ancient Chinese teachings about Qi energy. The idea is that Qi energy drives every aspect of our lives- our thoughts, our mental well-being, our environment, the food we eat and the exercise we do. As we go through our lives, we rid ourselves of negative Qi energy and replace it with positive Qi energy. Therefore, we must be aware of what we are putting in our body. This is where the inspiration for Qi tea came from. Qi Teas are 100% organic, grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides, and so they are healthier for you.

On their website, Qi place a special focus on Qi people. You can learn all about their employees based over in Kent, but also about their most valued tea-pickers based in China. Money from their fair trade premiums has been used to help improve primary schools in the Xitou region of China, improve roads and install street lights, and provide support for the victims of the Wenchuan Earthquake. I think that deserves a round of applause.

SD Bell

SD Bell is a household name here in Northern Ireland. The brand is synonymous with premium tea and coffees, and has been around since 1887 when Samuel David Bell founded the company. We use SD Bell products in the majority of our gift baskets, and we even have a little supply of them in our kitchen in the office. They have a variety of products ranging from loose leaf tea, to city roasted coffee bags. The coffee bags are my favourite SD Bell product. They work exactly like teabags- stick them in a mug, add hot water, leave it to brew and you’re good to go. A quick and easy way for me to get my caffeine fix in the morning!

If you’re interested in trying any of these products, you can check out our brand new Welcome Range here. The range includes New Home Gifts, Corporate Welcome Gifts, and a line of Best Wishes Gifts designed simply to keep you connected to your loved ones in these strange times.