Local politics, Fair Trade and tea-tinis

Last night at Flyte, Partners Tea Company sponsored a teatini party for the Ward Cammack for Governor of Tennessee campaign. While we served up delicious Fair Trade and Organic Summer "tea-tinis" (you can find the recipes below), Ward shared his beliefs about the new green economy; the importance of education to fuel that economy and Tennessee's unique opportunity to lead the country in green technology and sustainable agriculture.

Here are some highlights from his talk:

1. Focus on education: pay teachers what they are worth

2. Embrace sustainable business: The green economy is THE economy of our future

3. Protect the natural beauty with which we’re blessed and our natural resources for our children and grandchildren

4. Support your local businesses and farmers

Education, health care, sustainable livelihoods-- what Ward Cammack is aiming to achieve for Tennesseans, Fair Trade is aiming to achieve for agricultural workers in the developing world.

As Tennesseans, we are fortunate enough to be working on raising the bar from good to better. I have seen growing communities in places like India and Sri Lanka looking to raise the bar from kids making some sort of moonshine out of corroded metal car parts to building a school where these kids can learn and play instead.

Awareness of ethical trading practices and the real value of quality teas are helping to raise that bar. When people in tea purchasing countries become aware of the superior taste and quality of sustainable teas, then demand for them increases and everyone's livelihood improves. You get better, cleaner teas. Children in India get an opportunity.

Case and point: Idulgashinna, a bio-dynamic and Organic tea Estate in Haputele, Sri Lanka, where kids do have school-- and uniforms, teachers, computers and the opportunity to learn about their cultural traditions, while also learning about and engaging in the cultural trasitions of their neighbors. In this way, peace is being cultivated. For example, rather than Sinhalese school children growing up opposed to their Hindi neighbors, they are instead forming friendships through sports.

As the tea leaf passes through countries and cultures, so does it's story and those of the people it affects along the way. From a tea garden in Sri Lanka to a cocktail bar in Nashville, it turns out people are striving for the same thing-- for peace. Organic and Fair Trade tea, then, weather in the form of a warm cup by the fire, an iced drink on a hot Summer porch or a "tea-tini" at Flyte, is not only a means for achieving the goals that Ward Cammack and Fair Trade and many other individuals and organizations are working so hard towards, but also a vehicle for the communication of these goals. Below are some recipes to help you get started. I hope you'll share them along with some good conversation!

Photo: Students at Idulgashinna Estate. Sarah Scarborough, 2005.

Summer tea-tini recipes by Partners Tea Company

MIDSUMMER NIGHT

For 8 4 oz. teatinis:

1. Brew 2 8 oz. cups of Midnight Moonlight tea, as per directions on tin

2. Let tea come to room temperature

3. Add 8 St. Germaine Elderflower liquor

4. Add 8 oz.Gin

5. Shake with or serve over ice, serve in a martini or a high ball glass with a twist of lemon

SUMMER WINE

1. Brew 2 8 oz. cups of Sweet Friend Blend tea, as per directions on tin

2. Let tea come to room temperature

4. Add 12 oz. white or rose wine

Chill. Serve chilled with fresh raspberries!

SWEET FRIEND BLEND TEA-TINI

For 9-10 4 oz. teatinis:

1. Brew 4 8 oz. cups of Sweet Friend Blend tea, as per directions on tin

2. Add 2 Tbs. sugar and 1-2 Tbs. lemon juice

2. Let tea come to room temperature

3. Add 4-6 ounces vodka, or to your preference

4. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh raspberries and a slice of lemon