Fair Trade Black Dragon Pearl?
Hi all,
Does anyone know of a Black Dragon Pearl tea that is fair trade certified? I’ve done some looking through the companies that Fair Trade USA lists, and that’s about the one thing I haven’t been able to find.
I’m in central Ohio, but I’m out in the middle of nowhere, so I would prefer an online store. I greatly appreciate stores that let you buy samples or smaller amounts, but I’m not opposed to buying it in bulk.
If not Black Dragon Pearl, what are recommendations for tea with similar qualities? I’ve heard one person compare Golden Yunnan with it, but having never tried it, I’m clueless.
Thanks!
-Aeoliana
Not sure about fair trade certified, but several of the companies that are reviewed on Steepster are the direct growers of the tea or they work directly with small tea farms. The first that come to mind with Black Pearls are Mountain Tea and Teavivre.
http://www.mountaintea.com/pages/about-us
http://www.teavivre.com/about-teavivre/
As to the Black Pearl vs Yunnan, from what I have seen, most Black Pearls are made from tea grown in Yunnan province. Regardless, I find them to be very similar and highly enjoy both.
While I have not had it, Verdant’s Yunnan is highly rated and they also work directly with small tea farmers.
Actually the black pearl from Mountain tea is a different tea, kind of an apple tasting oolong.
Mandala has a black dragon pearl, I don’t know if it’s fair trade, but Garret is awesome & carries really nice teas. I’m sure he’d be glad to tell you.
http://shopmandalatea.com/black-tea/black-tea-pearls.html
I listed Mountain Tea because while it is an oolong, it reminds me quite a bit of a regular black pearl. :) Might not everyone, though, and I should have mentioned the difference. Thanks.
And good point – I’m sure almost any of the merchants who participate here on Steepster would be more than happy to tell you about their Fair Trade status. I wonder if a company has to be X size before they are listed on things like the Fair Trade USA lists.
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