There is a definite role for those tea companies and merchants that can provide consistent top-quality products that represent excellent value. Tea's healthy benefits will continue to lure more consumers. More new products are being developed using tea as a base, for example, dietary supplements, colognes, perfumes and skin care products. Tea merchants and importers are improving quality and flavor in order to meet stiff competition. As members of the tea industry, whether importers, producers or merchants, we need to address some issues regarding the growth of our industry.
Tea is far more intricate than coffee.
There are also dozens of ways to brew it and serve it. Because of this, tea requires an educated consumer in order to fully appreciate it. Now that the Tea Importation Act has been repealed, we need to be even more vigilant about quality, industry-wide. Without quality, tea is just another beverage made with water. With careful controls and accurate, thoughtful consumer education, the tea market will flourish in 1997.