The age of American Imperialism and tea

Not tea, the other thing!

Not the most exciting title, I grant you, but what else can it be when your southerly neighbour threatens to bankrupt you in order to absorb you (a liberty I know!)?

From the Canadian side, I get it! We Canadians definitely needed a good kick up the backside, with respect to a level of complacency that only comes from an all too comfortable government and a lack of anyone, nay everyone, holding them to account.

OK, politics out of the way so what does this mean for tea?

Now, that's tea!

Well, all tea and herbal products come from a variety of different countries, some of which are tariff free-ish and some which are punitively administered to. Whether the selection and rate of tariff is deserved is not the discussion but the impact of these is.

Hibiscus Lushberry, blended from various origins

We may all think that consumers pick up the additional costs when these things happen but, generally, the supply chain is expected (illogically) to share the pain and some of it goes all the way back down the line to farmers and they can ill afford the discount.

Kenya high grown tea plucked by the beautiful people we all rely upon!

If I look at Ela's Tea products, it infuriates me how low our prices are, not because I want to charge more but because our prices do deliver a sustainable price back down to farmers and there is no real reason to charge more.

So, at approximately $0.20/cup (Canadian not US) we should be able to afford another 5 cents without yelping too much and, instead, smile knowing that you have maintained our promise, on your behalf, to farmers of all our ingredients. I mean, how much does a latte cost these days and yet we still think tea should be discounted so steeply.

I grant you, we are a tiny pimple on the elephant's rear that is tea, we do not have the costs of a true branded CPG company or the distribution, listing and other fees associated with selling mainstream BUT neither do we have their efficiencies so, my point on price remains valid!

Oh yes, I almost forgot, this only applies if you are in the U.S. We appreciate your, neighbourly, business as much as that from our home grown Canadian tea lovers, and would love to get back to a place where we could share a cup with you, at the same price, again!

It is ironic that the Boston tea party was a rebellion against the taxation of tea into the U.S and yet now....mmmm!

That'll teach those Limeys!

So, remember, if you are paying much under $0.20/cup (and I mean for any tea!) then you should question the economic sustainability of their farm sources and/or your palate!

Yours, mildly amused and highly frustrated

Keep sipping!