The alternative to tea from small farmers is chemically grown, mechanically harvested and processed, uniform teas of low quality. They hold no interest for the connoisseur. There is little adventure in a cup of bagged tea, blended for consistency. We do not rest in our pursuit of great tea. Teas, by nature, are inconsistent.
Life is inconsistent.
This is something we celebrate . Weather and other conditions in picking and processing create new, un-reproducable teas each season. Each pot, indeed, each steeping of each pot of our tea should be a unique experience, full of life. Rather than blend for consistent mediocrity, we continue to seek out the best teas from each region, each year. An ancient beverage, tea has been drunk for pleasure and health for thousands of years.