Organic Tea Takes Hype Out Of Health

The world's first completely organic gourmet health-optimising tea range is enjoying a successful launch by The London Tea Company, a family-run business that wants to take the hype out of health. The range is the only one that offers tea containing 100% certified organic ingredients. Plus a 100% Caffeine Free Range.

In Japanese-inspired origami ecological packaging under the brand name LT Co., the Gourmet Teas (including white & red teas) is already stocked by Tesco and on the shelves at Fresh and Wild, Planet Organic, Wholefoods (the world's largest organic supermarket), Mitsokushi as well as other independent retailers. In addition, Pret a Manger removed its existing tea range and launched with The London Tea Company teas in January.

Managing Director Dinuk Dissanayake, says: “When we say something is 100% organic we mean that every single ingredient we put into our LT Co. ranges is certified 100% organic by the Soil Association. Have a look at other brands and you'll notice words like 'natural' or even overuse of the word 'organic' for an entire product whereas in fact only 1 or 2 ingredients are truly organic."

Dinuk goes on to discuss diet myths "I recommend simple moderation if weight worries you but obviously cutting out on milk and sugar in your teas is going to help. The subtle, organic flavours of our teas mean you don't need those unhealthy additions."

A medical doctor and a member of a family of tea estate owners in Sri Lanka going back generations, Dinuk continued: “I want to provide everyone with teas that are genuinely health-giving and ecologically friendly and are not just about image. Many companies rely on obscure terminology and pretty words that confuse consumers.''

Dinuk understands that there are still parts of the UK market that are used to so-called 'builder's tea' and intends to start a marketing campaign shortly that encourages people to not be afraid of Gourmet Teas and to understand and expect that these teas will have entirely different flavours

There are three ranges of LT Co. 100% organic teas - The Classic, the Gourmet and the Youth range. All are aimed at a worldwide market for down-to-earth connoisseurs who appreciate healthy, quality blends as well as people who are serious about making simple but necessary changes to the type of food and drink they consume.

LT Co.'s Best Seller is Vanilla Chai simply for its unique flavours - there are several 'chai's’ out there but the LT Co. Vanilla Chai doesn't have powdered milk or sugar added so you have the healthy option, plus it's 100% organic and uses absolutely no chemicals. Each tea has a specific purpose - from the lovely Lavender Camomile & Crimson Lush (both using white tea) that promotes sleep and relaxation to the Citrus Zest tea that helps you feel invigorated at any time of day and, of course, the teas put great nutrients (via specific herbs, spices & minerals) into your body like Honeybush Wildberries.

The Youth Range of 100% caffeine free tea is perfect for expectant mothers. Although all the teas and tisanes under the LT Co. banner are naturally high in anti-oxidants (which protect your skin from damaging free-radicals and keep it glowing) and low in caffeine, they also have a specific range that contains all the best properties but with absolutely no caffeine. This range is targeted at teenagers, pregnant women and mothers who want to encourage their children to have a hot drink before bedtime and anybody who wants to avoid caffeine at all costs.

A book on Japan in Dinuk's flat gave him the idea of packaging that used no glue, no unnecessary cellophane wrapping or sachets and instead harnessed the beautiful art of origami to create the bio-degradable box you see in the stores today.

The design on the LT Co box was recently featured in Design Week as one of the products to watch in the coming year and Dinuk, along with his family, are hoping it proves so.

The London Tea Company is a privately owned company which was started in London by Dinuk Dissanayake, a former medical doctor. The aim was to make genuinely health-optimising, ethical teas of the highest quality with original teas and flavours, which he felt were absent in the UK & US markets. The London Tea Company's LT Co. brand was launched in 2006 - it now operates from two offices in London and the company also creates 'own-label' teas for food-service companies.