10 Organic Tea Brands You Must Try

Organic tea is becoming increasingly popular due to both health and environmental benefits. Unlike conventional tea, organic varieties are grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This means the tea leaves and final products have fewer chemical residues, which is better for your health.

Organic farming practices also help conserve water, maintain soil quality, reduce pollution and protect wildlife habitats. By choosing organic tea, you also often support fair wages and safe working conditions for small-scale farmers around the world through fair trade certifications. 

This article will introduce you to 10 excellent organic tea brands that combine quality with sustainability. Sipping one of these feel-good brews is a tasty way to care for your health and the planet at the same time.

Benefits of Drinking Organic Tea

There are several key advantages to selecting organic tea varieties:

Health Benefits

When you choose organic tea, you avoid consuming traces of toxic pesticides, fertilizers and genetically engineered substances used in conventional farming. This makes organic tea safer and potentially more beneficial for your health. Studies suggest drinking organic tea may help with skin issues, digestion, weight loss and more.

Environmental Impact

Organic production methods conserve water, maintain soil quality, reduce pollution from chemical runoff and preserve delicate ecosystems. Without pesticides, natural predator and parasite relationships stay intact, supporting biodiversity. Overall, organic tea farming sustains the land for future generations.

Support for Fair Practices

Organic tea brands focused on ethics often carry fair trade certifications as well. This means they pay fair, livable wages to small-scale farmers and invest in community development projects like healthcare clinics and schools. When you choose organic fair-trade tea, your purchase makes a difference worldwide.

Top 10 Organic Tea Brands to Try

After learning about the many merits of organic and sustainably produced tea, you may feel eager to try some eco-friendly brands yourself. Here are 10 fantastic options to get you started:

1. Arbor Teas

Arbor Teas, a tea company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, stands out as an eco-friendly tea vendor committed to sustainability from leaf to cup. Every tea they sell carries the USDA certified organic seal, verifying their teas are grown without synthetic chemicals. They offer an extensive selection of Fair-Trade options as well, supporting fair farmer wages and labor rights abroad. 

But what really sets Arbor Teas apart is their innovative backyard compostable packaging. They completely avoid plastic tea bags, which can release environmentally harmful microplastics. Instead, their teas come packaged in compostable pouches and wrappers made from sustainably harvested wood pulp. You can compost this biodegradable tea packaging along with spent tea leaves right in your home compost pile after brewing.

In addition, Arbor Teas provides reusable loose leaf tea filters with purchases so you can keep enjoying delicious loose leaf organic tea free of disposable bags. They make high quality stainless steel and fabric tea infusers available on their website. These creative solutions eliminate excess waste while letting you savor flavorful loose tea again and again.

Beyond organic ingredients and eco-friendly materials, Arbor Teas partners with Carbonfund.org to counteract the environmental impacts of operating their business. This demonstrates a 360-degree commitment to sustainability across their entire supply chain. From ethically grown tea leaves to compostable packaging to carbon offsets, Arbor Teas lives up to their green reputation.

2. Pukka

Pukka, a leading international seller of organic herbal teas, holds numerous credible certifications attesting to their ethical and eco-friendly practices. As a Certified B-Corp their entire business model centers around social and environmental justice along with profit. 

One way Pukka accomplishes their goal of people and planet-friendly tea is through close partnerships with small-scale growers worldwide. Instead of commodifying tea as a basic cash crop they work hands-on with family farms to implement organic methods. This guarantees fair incomes and healthy, ecologically sound cultivation without exploiting farmers and workers. The result is evident in their vibrant, expertly crafted blends of organic herbal teas.

While not every part of Pukka's production and packaging qualifies as sustainable yet they continually improve their environmental footprint over time. Currently their tea bag sachets contain 99% plant-based fibers, with the remaining 1% necessary resin to maintain integrity when wet. And they remain firmly committed to eliminating plastics and synthetics entirely in the near future.

Pukka also plants trees worldwide to sequester carbon emissions through their partnership with TreeSisters. As of 2022 they funded reforestation charities to plant over 1.2 million trees across the globe - and counting! Through pragmatic, step-by-step efforts like this, Pukka contributes positively to environmental and social causes as an ethical, Certified B-Corp organic tea company.

3. TEECCINO

TEECCINO sets itself apart as an organic tea and herbal coffee company with a vision to conserve rainforests and support small-scale sustainable agriculture simultaneously. They produce a wide variety of unique herbal coffees and teas using interesting native ingredients, many sourced from tropical forest regions.

For example, one primary ingredient in their herbal brews is ramon seed, an ancient Central American seed traditionally used by the Mayans. By creating an international market for this uncommon rainforest crop, TEECCINO provides incentives to preserve wild forests instead of clear-cutting them for cattle or logging. They also boost incomes for indigenous farmers harvesting and selling these exotic botanicals.

In addition, TEECCINO works closely with family-owned organic farms in India to ethically source chicory root, another signature flavor in their blends. They pay fair prices to help sustain these small rural operations. This enables rural agricultural communities to prosper by growing herbs for tea and coffee rather than resorting to urban factory jobs.

Beyond sustainable sourcing methods, TEECCINO demonstrates environmental responsibility by minimizing packaging waste from their products, which come in fully home compostable bags. Socially they donate regularly to a variety of nonprofits through their “You Save, We Give” initiative, where sales fund projects supporting ecological conservation, education, healthcare access and economic empowerment.

4. Traditional Medicinals

All of Traditional Medicinals' premium wellness teas carry USDA organic, FairWild or fair trade certifications, following ethical sourcing standards from leaf to cup. These certifications guarantee no pesticides or chemical residues taint the final products. Beyond ingredient quality, Traditional Medicinals stands out through their social impact initiatives. 

They skillfully blend medicinal herbs like chamomile, echinacea and raspberry leaf to craft targeted wellness teas supporting relaxation, immune function, feminine health and more. The combinations draw from traditional herbalism wisdom passed down intergenerationally. This ancient plant knowledge informs their broad collection of over 60 varieties today.  

But Traditional Medicinals take their mission further than selling quality herbal teas. They founded a nonprofit organization that funds community-led initiatives near their sourcing regions worldwide. These projects meet pressing needs around food security, healthcare access, educational opportunities and women’s empowerment identified by locals themselves. 

Some examples include training women entrepreneurs in India, increasing food crop yields sustainably for Bolivian farmers, installing drip irrigation systems in Kenya and more. Traditional Medicinals remains committed to elevating underserved tea-growing communities beyond fair trade sourcing through targeted aid and partnerships through their foundation.

5. Equal Exchange

Worker-owned cooperative Equal Exchange takes a groundbreaking approach to the tea industry through their ethical sourcing model and collective ownership structure. Unlike most tea companies, Equal Exchange is completely owned by employees, not external shareholders seeking to maximize profits. This liberates them to focus on improving farmer livelihoods and environmental sustainability rather than answering to typical corporate interests.

They source organic and fair-trade teas directly from over 40 small-scale farmer cooperatives across Asia, Africa and Latin America. These groups supply artisan black, green, oolong, rooibos and herbal teas showcasing unique regional terroirs. By purchasing directly from member-run cooperatives, Equal Exchange ensures more income reaches the farmers themselves. They also fund community growth projects focused on food security, health, education and gender equity in these regions.

In addition, Equal Exchange’s farmer partners adhere to strict ecological production methods protecting soil, water and wildlife. Their model creates lasting trade partnerships where both parties—the cooperative and company—prosper financially while stewarding the land for future generations. Tea lovers can feel good knowing their money makes a tangible social and environmental difference when they choose Equal Exchange’s ethically sourced teas.

6. Art of Tea

Art of Tea carefully selects exceptional organic and fair-trade teas grown sustainably by dedicated artisan farmers they partner with worldwide. Their offerings range from delicate white and green teas to oxidized oolong and black varieties to fragrant herbal infusions. No matter the origin or type, all their teas share superlative flavor profiles and ethical, eco-friendly production methods.

The brand was founded 25 years ago by a tea blending expert seeking to share high-quality loose-leaf tea free of the waste generated by conventional tea bags. Today, Art of Tea packages their loose-leaf selections in innovative plant-based pyramid sachets that fully biodegrade through commercial composting. These bags allow tea to unfurl completely and steep properly while eliminating plastic waste and microplastics common with mainstream tea bags. 

Beyond sustainable materials, Art of Tea actively conserves natural resources across their supply chain. They import their teas using efficient transportation methods powered by biofuels rather than fossil fuels. The company also implemented energy and water conservation at their production facilities, earning them certifications for sustainability. So, you can feel good steeping and sipping their sublime teas knowing ecological stewardship infuses the entire process.

7. Lifeboost Teas

Lifeboost Teas, a family-owned business based in the USA, uniquely specializes in ultra low acid, gentle coffees and teas ideal for sensitive stomachs. Unlike most brewed beverages which tend to be highly acidic, Lifeboost ingeniously crafted their blends to avoid aggravating digestive conditions like acid reflux or ulcers.

They accomplish this by using pristine mountain spring water with a neutral pH instead of tap water, which often skews acidic. For their organic beans and leaves, Lifeboost sources single-origin varieties like light roasted Honduran coffee and Nilgiri black tea grown organically under shade trees. The shade-grown agricultural method supports soil health and biodiversity, with forests that preserve habitats for indigenous birds and wildlife. 

These sustainable practices yield superb beans and tea leaves bursting with smooth, rich flavor. By combining premium shade-grown ingredients with ultra-low acid spring water, Lifeboost’s artisan roasting and brewing methods produce delicious coffee and tea unlikely to disturb sensitive stomachs. Their dedication to stomach-friendly beverages makes Lifeboost a special find for eco-conscious drinkers with digestive issues.

8. Mountain Rose Herbs

In addition to their popular organic bulk herbs, spices and essential oils, Mountain Rose Herbs offers a signature line of USDA certified organic wellness teas. They blend each restorative tea recipe in-house to holistically nourish the body, mind and spirit. Mountain Rose sources all ingredients for their tea formulas sustainably from ethical growers committed to organic practices.

As a zero-waste certified facility, Mountain Rose Herbs strives to minimize their ecological footprint through mindful sourcing, streamlined production processes, eco-friendly packaging and carbon offset shipping. For example, their tea bags utilize plastic-free Abaca fiber derived from banana plant stalks, fully biodegradable and compostable. They also prioritize recycling, energy efficiency, renewable energy and responsible water usage in their operations and supply chains.

Mountain Rose Herbs' exceptional focus on organic, ethical sourcing and zero waste sustainability makes their lush herbal teas stand out. By supporting this exemplary brand, you can enjoy delicious organic tea blends aligned with your eco-conscious values. Your purchase helps fund their efforts to continuously improve sustainability from leaf to cup.

9. Rishi Tea

Family-owned for over 25 years, Rishi Tea takes pride in supplying artisan, small batch organic loose-leaf teas ethically sourced from vibrant tea regions across China, India, Japan, Taiwan and beyond. While they built their reputation on quality loose teas, Rishi also produces over 75 packaged tea varieties to meet customer needs. 

These teas come packaged in innovative plant-based sachets, a compostable alternative to plastic tea bags that prevents microplastic pollution issues. Rishi’s biodegradable sachets break down naturally when composted at home unlike conventional nylon bags. They utilize polylactic acid, a versatile substance made from corn starch or sugar cane.

Thanks to their extensive experience and ethical relationships with growers worldwide, Rishi offers one of the largest selections of unique organic teas on the market. Their sustainable practices and biodegradable tea bags also make a positive environmental impact compared to typical tea companies. When you want superb flavor and eco-friendly production, Rishi delivers.

10. Teapigs

Teapigs differentiates itself by specializing in premium quality whole leaf teas picked at their peak for the best taste and antioxidant benefits. While not every tea variety qualifies as certified organic, Teapigs analyzes all their teas for traces of pesticides to guarantee purity and safety. They fully reject teas with any detectable chemical residues.

True to their motto “tea as it should be,” the UK-based company packages loose leaf teas in innovative “tea temples” designed to brew whole leaves perfectly. These revolutionary mesh pyramids replace wasteful traditional tea bags which usually contain low-quality dust and fannings. Teapigs’ tea temples also completely biodegrade in home compost piles since they utilize cornstarch and paper instead of plastic.

By sustainably sourcing delicious whole leaf teas and inventing an eco-friendly alternative to toxic tea bags, Teapigs offers a refreshing way to enjoy the timeless ritual of tea. Their dedication to flavor and sustainability from field to cup results in a superior cup of classic tea.

Sustainability and Social Impact

The brands featured here strive for ecological preservation across their supply chains while empowering tea farmers and workers through ethical trade partnerships. 

Many have implemented carbon offset programs to counteract greenhouse gas emissions related to shipping and travel. For example, Arbor Teas teams up with Carbonfund.org on climate protection projects while TEECCINO directly conserves rainforest regions by sourcing unusual seeds and roots from those areas. 

These companies also invest in community growth in tea production areas abroad. Organic India helps over 3,000 small family farms gain organic certification. Traditional Medicinals founded a nonprofit supporting local food security, healthcare access, education and women’s empowerment initiatives in global tea communities.

Lifeboost Teas also contributes by sourcing shade-grown single origin beans and leaves, which enriches soil and provides wildlife habitat under forest canopies.

When you choose eco-conscious tea brands, your dollars make a meaningful difference through sustainable practices and social empowerment across the tea industry.

Conclusion

Organic tea makes perfect sense for wellness and sustainability. Choosing tea grown free from harsh chemicals benefits both your health and the environment. Beyond avoiding pesticides and GMOs, organic production methods help preserve precious water supplies, soil fertility and essential plant and animal habitats.

Organic tea brands also focused on ethics empower farmers in developing regions with fair wages and funding for schools, clinics and community advancement. So you can feel good while sipping these eco-friendly teas.

I encourage you to try the responsible tea brands featured here to taste for yourself how delicious ethical, organic tea can be. Lifeboost Coffee gets my top recommendation for their ultra-low acid teas and coffees specially crafted to be gentle on the stomach. Their sustainable single-origin beans and leaves grown organically under shade trees yield a smooth, flavorful cup every time. When you choose organic the benefits are truly endless.

FAQs

What makes tea organic?

For tea to qualify as organic, it must be grown without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or irradiation. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers like compost and control pests with beneficial insects, traps and other ecological methods instead.

Is organic tea healthier than regular tea? 

Yes, organic tea contains far fewer chemical residues than conventionally grown tea. Consuming organic tea may help avoid health issues linked to long-term pesticide exposure. Organic tea also offers nutritional benefits from higher antioxidant levels since plants under stress produce more protective phytochemicals naturally.

Does organic tea taste better?

Many tea drinkers believe organic tea tastes better thanks to careful growing practices preserving delicate flavors. Since the plants grow under natural conditions in balanced, mineral-rich soils they develop more complex aromas and tastes over time. The lack of harsh chemicals also allows their inherent flavors to shine.

Is organic tea more expensive?

Organic tea does sometimes cost a little more than conventional tea upfront. However, since it is higher quality and grown more ethically the value is greater. Also, the environmental preservation and social benefits make the modest extra expense worthwhile for many eco-conscious tea lovers. 

Is organic tea farming better for the environment?

Absolutely! Organic methods conserve water, maintain soil health, reduce pollution and protect biodiversity without synthetic chemicals, GMOs, or irradiation. Wildlife thrives in organic tea plantations and the lands stay fertile for future generations. Choosing organic tea directly supports greener, more ethical agriculture.

Which organic tea brand is the most sustainable?

Every brand featured here upholds admirable sustainability standards around sourcing, production and packaging. However, two brands stand out in particular for their trailblazing green practices. Arbor Teas uses backyard compostable tea bags and packaging. Meanwhile, Mountain Rose Herbs earned the coveted zero waste facility certification for their exceptional commitment to eco-friendly processes.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Crimson Hibiscus Infusion Tea.