Tea News
The Plight of Indian Tea Workers
As we in first world countries enjoy the convince of ready made tea bags and have the luxury and the means to comfortably sit back and relax, the tea plantation workers face many hardships. Their living conditions are shocking. In a recent investigation on the northeastern state of Assan, horrifying conditions were revealed, with living quarters severely lacking in basic hygiene and sanitation. Drains were left open and cesspits sometimes blocked and flooding into living quarters. And yet these are the workers who help supply most brand name teas such as Tetley’s, Lipton, Twinings, etc, yet they are paid only $1.50 for their work, far below India’s already low minimum wage. As a result, many tea workers are malnourished and prone to illnesses and diseases. Additionally, many workers are sprayed along with the plants, without wearing any protective gear. Some of the side effects of pesticide are numbness, tingling, difficulty breathing, and a profound loss of appetite. Lastly, though child labor is forbidden, child labor is sometimes used in some tea plantations. For more information regarding this visit http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34173532
For Rent: Teaware
Yes you can rent teaware. If you are short on teaware for a party or formal dinner, this company Vintage English Tea Cup allows you to rent any type of teaware you need for the occasion. Vanessa Gilbreath, owner and founder of Vintage English Tea Cup, was inspired to start this rental company when she invited some friends over to watch Prince William’s wedding. She was only assuming that only a true devoted Brit would rise in the middle of the night for tea. Unknowingly, at 4 am there was a line of women in hats on her street.
“Even when you are poor in England, you still have a tea set.” she says. And since no one was using real china at her gathering, she decided to open this rental company. Since this time, Gilbreath, has collected hundreds of plates, cups and sauces, plus dozens of teapots, stands, and soup bowls. All of these the Vintage English Teacup has for rent. Rent starts at $2 dollars per plate, with the minimum being $400 dollars with fees for delivery and cleaning. Tea and coffee stations are the most popular. And white-gold and navy are the most sought after color schemes. Nonetheless, Gilbreath loves to mix patters to give the teaware a more updated look.
source Alanta Magazine
Tea Quotes
“Tea tempers the spirits and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude, and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.” Confucius
“Tea does our fancy aid,
Repress those vapors which the head invade,
And keeps that place of soul serene”
Edumnd Walker “Of Tea”
Have a blessed day,
Alyssa