Well, it’s that time of the year again. It always comes so soon. The weather is beautiful, sunny, things are starting to turn green, and this weekend marks the year’s first Farmer’s Market here in Boulder.

There’s a lot to look forward to: we’ve got a new and exciting tea list, some great new signage premiering our new look (not pictured here), and I can’t wait to see a few familiar faces out there. Oh, and the food. How could I forget the amazing food? It might still be early for some of my favorite veggies, but it should be a gorgeous day to grab a taster of tea by the creek. While you’ll have to come on down to see everything we offer, I can say with confidence that I’ll be serving out some Climber’s High, Chocolate Peppermint Patty, and Iced Blue Mountain Nilgiri (if it’s warm enough!). There will be other samples as well, so if you’re a Boulder local, come on down and check it out.

As always, our website offers a Farmer’s Market Pickup option so that you can pick up orders from us directly at Saturday Farmer’s Market and save on shipping.

Better than the B-side of a record, we’ve recently attained B Corp status! Certified B Corps (where B stands for ‘Benefit’) are a new kind of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and environment.  Cofounder of B Corp Jay Coen Gilbert states “B Corporation certification is key to distinguish good companies from just good marketing. With their commitment to the triple bottom line, The Tea Spot stands as a leader in the movement for a better way to do business”.

Throughout the certification process it helped us develop and articulate a set of core values for our company which we have since added to our employee handbook. Even though we’re a small company currently, integrating these hard core commitments now will help keep us aligned with our goals as we grow. Our vision for a profitable, sustainable and philanthropic business has a singular focus: to help people live longer, healthier lives by making loose leaf tea an everyday luxury. Our mantra, “Modern Brewing. Conscious Living.” translates into five core values:

1. Develop groundbreaking innovations and deliver extraordinary customer experiences in support of our mission.

2. Ensure that our products have a positive net effect on the environment and their practices are consistent with eco-friendly values.

3. Inspire and support each other at the workplace through employee ownership and reciprocal relationships – understanding that respect, integrity and active teamwork are the building blocks of our successes.

4. Build and maintain reciprocal relationships based on respect and integrity with the buyers, suppliers, and colleagues in our community and industry.

5. Advance our mission through social entrepreneurship by means of our 10% Pledge for Cancer Wellness, donating 10% of all sales in-kind to cancer wellness and community programs.

We were since featured by Development Crossing, a Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development media company, in their CSR Minute news report for attaining this certification. They feature companies committed to a triple bottom line (people, planet, & profits). You can watch the quick video segment here.

Visit The Unseen Bean!

Hey, Boulderites! Two of our favorite coffee+tea spots around town recently got a visit from Yellow Scene Magazine and Boulder’s Local Table Tours. No word on whether or not anybody tried out a cup of Tea Spot tea, but I’m not afraid to report that the coffee at both Tee & Cakes and The Unseen Bean is phenomenal. So if you’re a tea drinker in a circle of coffee nuts (as most of us tea drinkers seem to be), these are places that are sure to satisfy both of your palettes. Check out what Yellow Scene has to say about these spots here, then go grab a cup of Organic Dark Roast Oolong at The Unseen Bean, or try out slightly sweet cup of Boulder Blues at Tee & Cakes while your friends chug-a-lug their lattes!

Boulder Farmers' Market

The Tea Spot is getting very excited about the Boulder Farmers’ Market starting back up! Every Saturday, April through October, we’ll be there with tea for purchase and samples (while supplies last!).

If any of you Boulderites are interested in picking up your orders at the Market, this is a “Shipping Method” option when you buy tea online from our shop.

The Farmers’ Market is one of the best ways to enjoy Boulder’s weather culture, and fresh products. Bring the fam, bring your dogs, ride your bike or take the bus. Just as long as you make it one of these Saturdays… we look forward to seeing you!

Click here for directions to Boulder’s Farmers Market.

I love it when I first notice a new employee get really comfortable with loose leaf tea. Some jump right in, and start happily steeping up loose leaf tea in the break room their very first day here. Others almost noticeably avoid the break room, loose leaf teas and teaware at first, staying at their desks while the others imbibe…. But everyone who’s ever worked here can attest to the fact that they all eventually find their way over to the sunny side, and become fans of this healthful beverage.

Yesterday, I had two new reminders of how this rings true.

I met our ex-sales manager for breakfast, to catch up and also give her a silent auction Tea Spot donation for a charity she’s supporting, Colorado Youth at Risk. She said she’s watched her new company (a cycle jersey maker in Denver) start steeping our teas, and noticed the same progression.

Then, in the afternoon, our wholesale operations manager, who has more actual contact with tea than just about anyone here at The Tea Spot, had a super-dark and smoky brew going in his tea mug. What is that, I asked? “I mixed some organic Lapsang with Pu’erh bricks – it’s pretty awesome”.

Yep, he’s a guy’s guy :)

Pu'erh tea bricks