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1) Where does tea come from?
The ingredient known as tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis, which means Chinese Camellia. The tea plant is an evergreen shrub or tree that can grow to tree height. There are three major varieties of the tea plant with over 500 recognized cultivars used for making different types of teas.
Black Tea: Black tea is made from leaf that has been fully oxidized, producing a hearty deep rich flavor in an amber colored liquor. Black Teas have a fuller and richer flavor than unprocessed green teas.
Green Tea: Green Teas are not oxidized. The greens are pan fired and undergo roasting, rolling and firing. Roasting kills off the enzymes responsible for oxidization. Green teas from Japan are steamed rather than pan fired.
Oolong Tea: Oolong tea originates in the Wuyishan (Fujian) Province of China. Oolong or Wulong means “dark dragon”. Oolong tea falls between the green and black tea categories. Also very popular in Taiwan.
Pu-Er Tea: Pu-er has been produced in Yunnan from ancient times. Pu-er is the name on the town in China that this type of tea originally shipped from. Pu-er can be made from green, white or black tea and undergoes a secondary fermentation period. This tea improves with age and can be found compressed in many shapes or as loose leaf.
Yellow Tea: Yellow tea is called Huang Cha in Chinese. It is similar to green tea except that it requires the additional “Menhuang” processing stage during which the leaf is piled and covered or wrapped and kept damp at temperatures between 77 F and 95 F until it turns yellow.
White Tea: White tea is called Bai Cha in Chinese. It is a white downy tea which only requires two steps to process: withering and drying. Often yields a pale orange-yellow liquor with a delicate sweet flavor.
Source: James Norwood Pratt’s Tea Dictionary. Tea Society Press. 2010.
2) Are PONOinfusions blends caffeinated or non-caffeinated?
PONOinfusions offers both caffeinated and non-caffeinated infusions. We call our products “infusions,” as they are a mixture of teas and other botanicals and spices. The ingredient that contains caffeine in our infusions is the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Another ingredient that we include in our Nahele blend is cacao (the main ingredient in chocolate). Cacao contains theobromine, which has a stimulating effect similar to caffeine.
The following blends we currently offer contain caffeine:
Both our Lani blend and Wai blend are non-caffeinated.
3) Where do PONOinfusions ingredients come from (where are they sourced from)?
Our ingredients are sourced from around the world.
Examples of where our ingredients currently originate from include:
4) Does PONOinfusions source ingredients from Hawaii?
Yes! We have been growing tea at our Maui Tea Farm since 2013, and we offer small batch quantities of organic Maui grown tea and herbs on a seasonal basis.
5) What does it mean that PONOinfusions sources Fair Trade Certified (TM) ingredients?
We source as many Fair Trade ingredients as possible for use in our PONOinfusions blends Fair Trade USA.
Fair Trade USA is a non-profit organization that certifies and promotes Fair Trade products in the United States. The leading third-party certifier, they work with more than 800 U.S. companies to audit and certify that the products they offer comply with international Fair Trade standards. Certified products carry the Fair Trade Certified label, which helps consumers to purchase their way to a better world, simply by looking for the label on the products they buy.
Fair Trade USA’s mission is to enable sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth.
For consumers, Fair Trade offers a powerful way to reduce poverty through your everyday shopping. For farmers and workers in developing countries, Fair Trade offers better prices, improved terms of trade, and the business skills necessary to produce high-quality products that can compete in the global marketplace.
Fair Trade principles include:
The impact of your commitment to purchasing Fair Trade Certified products include:
A) Environment
• Your purchase protects fragile ecosystems including water resources and natural vegetation areas.
• Your purchase helps communities access fresh drinking water.
• Your purchase keeps harmful pesticides out of the environment.
• Your purchase keeps harmful pesticides off of our food.
Your purchase supports the proper management of waste, water and energy
B) Business Skills
• Your purchase supports training for rural farmers.
• Your purchase helps small farmers become international businessmen and businesswomen.
C) Women
• Your purchase helps women support their families.
• Your purchases help women start businesses.
D) Education
• Your purchase keeps kids in school.
• Your purchase helps kids learn how to read.
Every delicious cup of tea and herbal infusions matters more than you think. Your everyday purchases, like your daily cup of PONOinfusions teas and herbal blends, can help farmers get better prices to help them keep their kids in school and protect fragile ecosystems. Look for the Fair Trade label. Buy Fair Trade Certified™ tea. To learn more, visit www.FairTradeUSA.org.
6) What does it mean that PONOinfusions blends are certified organic? Who is the certifying body?
PONOinfusions’ blends are certified organic under the USDA’s National Organic Program.
Our certifying body is Oregon Tilth.
The Benefits of Organic Certification
The presence of the USDA and/or CCOF seal on a product guarantees that the product has been grown, produced, inspected, and certified to be in compliance with federal organic regulations. The USDA organic seal represents to consumers that someone is working behind the scenes to
guarantee that their food is safe and healthy.
Beware of Other Labeling
Food labeling can often be misleading and confusing, which is why “certified organic” is an important choice for consumers. Learn about the differences in food labeling to demystify your purchasing.
“Natural,” “Local,” and “Sustainable”
There are no federal standards for “natural,” “local,” or “sustainable” claims. These products may include toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, or synthetic substances that are prohibited in organic production.
“No Spray,” “Pesticide Free,” and “Residue Free”
These labels do not ensure that your food is organic. Claims like “pesticide free” may mean that the edible parts of a crop have not been sprayed with harmful chemicals; however, synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, and fungicides may have been used to grow the food.
Organic food is produced without using harmful or toxic pesticides, sewage sludge or petroleum-based synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), bioengineering, or ionizing radiation.
Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from un-cloned animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Organic:
7) What’s the difference between JUSTinfusions LLC and PONOinfusions?
JUSTinfusions LLC is the officially registered name of our company.
PONOinfusions is the brand name of our teas and herbal infusions.
8) Where can I purchase or drink PONOinfusions teas and blends?
You can find our teas online, at our Maui Tea Farm store, and at select island retail stores or ask the manager at your favorite local store to stock our product.
9) As a business, how can I carry PONOinfusions or Maui grown teas?
Please Contact Us directly if you are interested in becoming a wholesale and foodservice partner.