Not all teabags are created equal

Did you know the majority of tea drinkers are unaware that most pyramid teabags currently on the market are made from a nylon derivative? Byron Bay Tea Company’s (BBTC) new ‘Signature Herbal’ pyramid teabag range is made from a biodegradable material called Soilon (corn starch). Better for health but also the environment.

Celebrating the significant milestone of ten years as a much loved and successful Australian tea company, BBTC is not resting on its laurels. With the release of their ‘Signature Herbal’ biodegradable pyramid teabag range, they are now leading the way in the burgeoning Australian tea market. Proving that premium quality tea can come in the convenience of a teabag, BBTC’s “Signature Herbal’ teabags stand apart from the rest.

Unlike conventional teabags, the unique pyramid shape enables a superior infusion, meaning that the full-leaf and high-grade teas can be used rather than the “fannings” or “dust” commonly used in teabags found in conventional teabags on the supermarket shelves. It also means that the larger whole-leaf herbs and flowers can be used for the herbal tea bags and don’t need to be processed down.

BBTC founder – naturopath and herbalist, Sarita Merlo, has always had people’s health and wellness as the major driving force in decision-making regarding their range.

“Until now, I could never find a tea-bagging machine that could do everything I wanted without compromising on quality, taste, freshness or the consumer’s health. I didn’t understand why people would want to infuse their beautiful teas in a nylon/plastic teabag. It just doesn’t make sense to me! I also wanted to use exactly the same loose-leaf teas and blends in our teabags so that quality and health was not compromised. I am so glad that I had the patience to wait for just what I wanted. ” said Ms Merlo.

The ‘Signature Herbal’ pyramid teabag range is to compliment BBTC’s existing range of loose-leaf teas and healthy herbal blends. All lovingly hand blended in the green rolling hills of the Byron Bay hinterland, using carefully selected, certified organic, pesticide free and wild crafted ingredients from around the world, Australia and the local area.

For this signature range of herbal blends, BBTC uses not just organic herbs but also colourful ingredients such as spices, dried fruits and vanilla bean to create unique and exotic flavours. Each blend has been formulated around a health theme: “Energy”, “Calming”, “Digest”, “Immunity” and “Detox”. These are soon to be joined by the release of “Ginger Zing’ and the much anticipated “Nursing Tea”.

“I had always been fascinated by the healing properties of herbs” says Ms Merlo. “They have been used as a remedy by indigenous people from all over the world for thousands of years, so it’s a thrill to turn tradition into modern day practice.”

Plucking full-flowered ingredients right out of Ms Merlo’s own garden and others in the area, the BBTC made an immediate impact on visitors to the local markets of Byron Bay and nearby Bangalow.

Following an overwhelming response from consumers, Macro Wholefoods jumped on board followed by a number of enthusiastic spas and resorts across Australia, including Gaia retreat and Spa, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort. Ten years on the customer base continues to grow with the latest partnership at Byron Bay’s first 5 Star Eco Resort, Elements of Byron.

BBTC now supplies a wide range of businesses with its quality herbal, traditional and oriental teas- from cafes, restaurants, gourmet delis and organic stores, to day spas and health retreats, natural health centres, gift stores and has a very loyal customer base through their online shop and local market stalls.

The Byron Bay Tea Company Range:

SIGNATURE HERBAL loose leaf – launched January 2005
ENERGY /CALMING/ DIGEST / IMMUNITY / DETOX / SKIN* (* Added September 2010)

TRADITIONAL loose leaf – launched January 2007
ENGLISH BREAKFAST / PREMIUM EARL GREY / ORGANIC SENCHA GREEN / ORGANIC PEPPERMINT / ORGANIC CHAMOMILE / CHAI

HERBAL loose leaf – launched September 2010
GINGER ZING (lemongrass & ginger) / DANDYLICIOUS (roasted dandelion, wattleseed & cinnamon) / BLACK MAGIC (liquorice & peppermint)

ORIENTAL loose leaf – launched September 2010
BUDDHA’s TEARS / JAPANESE QUINCE / JASMINE / OOLONG / WHITE

BIODEGRADABLE PYRAMID TEABAG TRADITIONAL RANGE – launched November 2011
ENGLISH BREAKFAST
EARL GREY
ORGANIC SENCHA GREEN TEA
ORGANIC PEPPERMINT
ORGANIC CHAMOMILE

NEW = BIODEGRADABLE PYRAMID TEABAG ‘SIGNATURE HERBAL’ RANGE – launched 2016

ENERGY
CALMING
DIGEST
IMMUNITY
DETOX