+ What decaffeination method is used?

Our decaffeinated black tea has 97 to 98% of the caffeine removed using the "carbon dioxide decaffeination" method. Carbon dioxide is the same ingredient that is used to make soda beverages bubbly. It is a clean process that does not use any of the chemicals that are commonly required to decaffeinate non-organic teas and coffees. This process is fully approved for use with organic teas and coffees.

+ What is the tea bag paper made of?

Our tea bags are made with fully biodegradable abacá filter paper, and they contain no plastics. The seal is achieved by using a plant-based lattice of PLA (poly lactic acid) which is made from the starch of plants such as corn, sugar cane and sugar beet, making it environmentally friendly and sustainable as well as 100% biodegradable (even in backyard composting). The paper that we use exceeds the highest EU and North American standards for tea bag filter paper.

+ Where are the tins manufactured?

Our steel tins are manufactured in the USA. They're made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. "Structural steel [has] high recycled content and [the] recycling rate exceed those of any other construction material. Over the past three decades, the steel industry has reduced greenhouse gas and overall emissions by 36% and increased the water recycling rate of steel production to 95%. Today, the American steel industry is the least carbon-intensive of all major steel-producing countries, and its footprint will continue to decrease as the U.S. power grid becomes more and more fossil-free." -The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

Our paper Twinpacks, the (plastic-free) cellophane bags inside, and even the eco labels are all produced in North America. We source locally as much as we can to reduce our carbon footprint.

+ Best tips/practices for the best cup of tea?

A really underrated part of the tea is the water! Depending on your location, tap water often has its own "taste", which can strongly affect the tea you're steeping. If available, we strongly encourage filtered and fresh (not re-boiled) water. Depending on the tea, it may also be important to squeeze the tea bag before taking it out! Check the label to see our recommendations and steep duration.

+ Can I sell your teas in my store/café?

We love working with local businesses, and we'd love to hear from you! The best way to find our wholesale tea is on Faire, and if that doesn't work for you, please send us an email: info (at) friendshiporganics (dot) com

+ Why Amazon?

Up until late 2019, our teas were being sold at the thirty-three Ten Thousand Villages stores across Canada, but unfortunately most are no longer active. In response to multiple store closures we recognized that we would have to start selling online. That’s when we opened our Amazon Storefront. When you purchase our teas on Amazon you are buying them directly from us, not from Amazon. The inventory is totally ours and we set the prices (they do charge us a fee for the pick, pack and delivery service). Amazon was the fastest way that we could make our products available across Canada and in the US. We are very independent and that is why we don't work with food distributors which take even higher percentages than Amazon’s fees. Additionally, distributors insist on achieving minimum sales volumes, and minimum inventory depth. If an item goes out of stock, there are heavy fines or penalties imposed. While we agree that a lot should be improved within Amazon’s operation, as a small business, it was too great a loss for us not to sell our teas through their platform.