High-Minded Tea
You may have stumbled upon the newest merchant on the tea block in Food & Wine magazine, in the New York Times, or, if you’re lucky, in a classy grocery store.
But in case you haven’t yet heard about the Highland Tea Company, allow me to introduce you.
Wanja Michuki drew up the plans for a Kenyan tea company on a whim. That whim has become a highly successful operation in more ways than one. Ms. Michuki was driven to develop a business that would help rather than hurt the tea farmers of Kenya, which is where she was born. Through a partnership with the Freeplay Foundation, customers are invited to sponsor a radio that will go to a tea farmer in Kenya. “Redefining the Heart of Tea” is a flowery name for this rather serious endeavor–through the radios, farmers will learn about issues like HIV prevention, sustainable farming, and educational opportunities.
But the good feeling you might get from helping out a farmer isn’t the only reason you should check out Highland Tea. The six tea blends, each with flowery names of their own, like Sunshine Spice, offer flavor you won’t find in your regular cup of Lipton. Ms. Michuki created these herself, and their reception has shown that she has more than business acumen. She has a talent for tea.
(Picture courtesy of highlandteacompany.com)
