We truly hope this note finds you and your family safe, healthy, and thriving despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Maybe you accomplished some long-neglected tasks and reached out to those close to you and people you’ve been missing for a while. Or maybe you just vegged out and are taking some well-deserved personal time!
I first want to express my gratitude to all the Tea Smithies. These have been difficult times for us and our families, as well. Our team has worked to keep the stores safe and clean and help customers shop with us. Their understanding and concern for The Tea Smith and our community have been most gratifying! Plus, we all get paid to drink (tea) on the job, which keeps us happy.
I am also very grateful for our customers, supporters, and well-wishers these past few months. Though Nebraska has not imposed a shelter in place policy, our café had to be closed. We have been able to keep our counter open and respond to our customers’ needs for one of life’s essentials: tea!
So far most of you have been able to avoid Tea Emergencies. Yes, your order has to be set at the counter, picked up curbside, or shipped, but your support and words of encouragement have kept us open and every member of the team working. I appreciate customers sneaking $5s, $10s, and even $20s in the tip jar. Those gestures mean so much to our Smithies.
You are probably wondering how the tea supply will be impacted in the coming months. I can tell you, it has been a very ‘fluid’ situation. (Pun intended.) When the pandemic hit, we placed some large orders to assure our supply for the immediate future. All those teas were produced and shipped before any known breakouts.
I have been in contact with my suppliers in several major countries and found the situation varies in each area. Here are some highlights:
Japan
Japan is in production, and the early Shincha should reach our store by mid-May. That is great news for all of us who look forward to that crop each year. You can sign up to get notified when Shincha Hashiri Japanese Green Tea is in stock.
Taiwan
Taiwan got ahead of the curve, so our suppliers tell us infection rates there have not had a major impact on tea production.
China
China has been producing its Spring harvest. Hubei, the province where the pandemic originated, is not a large producer, and none of our teas come from that area. I am told the gardens and factories are, in addition to other sanitation practices, taking workers’ temperatures, even in the offices. Logistics are slow, and transportation costs are up. There is great optimism for the June and July harvests.
Ceylon
Ceylon has slowed and moved their traditional auctions for tea online for the first time. Reports indicate the new selling methods are working well, and prices are actually up as a result.
India
India is under strict lockdown. The first flush in the North was virtually non-existent, and most of the tea produced was not shipped on time. Small numbers of workers are being allowed into the fields to tend the plants. As a result, there is uncertainty around the crop, so the amount of tea will be lower than expected for this year.
We were able to obtain 9 kilos of 1st Flush Darjeeling from Rohini Estate just before closed it down! The shipment is being processed and should arrive in mid-May. You can now pre-order Darjeeling 1st Flush.
Kenya
Kenya has started implementing changes to their system for selling tea. There seems to be some confusion and concern as to how this will impact the farmers and small producers of orthodox teas.
All in all, it appears the tea market will suffer, as will markets for many other goods. We will see spot shortages in various teas, herbs, and ingredients, but are working to maintain our quality and still have enough supply to keep us all well-stocked with your favorite blends.
In closing, let me again express our gratitude for your support during this time and the past 15 years! We are quite humbled and honored by your trust in us and your concern for all of us Tea Smithies.
Thank you for taking time to read this. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to me.
Kind Regards,
Tim Smith
Chief Leaf