SENCHA NATURALS

Earth Day Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:59:00 +0000

SEN CHA has teamed up with Art of Tea for an Earth Day Giveaway!

What are you doing to make the world a better place? “Like” us on Facebook, tell us your story and you’ll be entered to win:

• 5 Pack Canister Sampler of SEN CHA's Green Tea Mints

• Tip n' Try Teapot from SEN CHA

• 3 pack of sensational green teas from Art of Tea.

• 40 oz tea maker with a glass to-go bottle

Just click on the sweepstakes tab on our Facebook page and enter before April 20th. Good luck!

Rules & Restrictions:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

To Enter: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To be eligible you must provide the sponsor of this contest, Art of Tea, LLC and Sencha Naturals (the “Sponsor”), with your name, email address and a short description of what you are doing to help the planet. Sponsor will not be responsible for entries lost, delayed, incomplete or misdirected. Entries will become the sole property of Sponsor and by entering, you expressly consent to adding your name to receive future promotional offers, and using your name for advertising, publicity or any other purposes whatsoever, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, without compensation and with or without attribution to you, as Sponsor elects.

Eligibility: Contest is open to legal residents of United States only. Must be 13 years of age or older. You are not eligible if you are an employee of Sponsor or a member of the immediate family (defined as parents, children, siblings or spouse, regardless of where they reside) or household of any of the above persons. By entering, you agree to abide by these rules and all decisions of Sponsor and the independent contest organization, which are final in all matters relating to this contest. This contest commences on April 20th 2012 and one (1) 3 pack of Art of Tea’s most popular green teas, a 40 oz tea maker with a glass to-go bottle, a tip-and-try teapot from Sencha Naturals and a 5 canister sampler of green tea mints will be awarded to the winner. The winner will be selected on April 20th 2012: At the conclusion of contest, Sponsor will select the names of the winner from all eligible entries received during the life of the contest. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the entry period. A potential winner will be contacted through a submitted email address. The potential winner will be asked to provide their full name and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner is contacted by email for verification purposes, he/she will have three (3) business days within which to respond to the notification email, or he/she will be disqualified and his/her prize forfeited, and an alternate potential winner may be selected. If a participant changes his/her email address or other contact information after he/she registers, it is his/her sole responsibility to update his/her registration information by logging in and making changes in his/her Sponsor website account. Failure to update such registration information may affect a potential winner’s ability to receive a prize. If a potential winner cannot be reached after a reasonable effort has been exerted, he/she is found to be ineligible, he/she cannot or does not comply with these official rules, or if a prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, such potential winner will be disqualified, and an alternate potential winner may be selected at Sponsor’s sole discretion.

Prize: One (1) winner will be chosen, subject to Sponsor’s sole discretion. There will be one 3 pack of Art of Tea’s most popular green teas, a 40oz tea maker with a glass to-go bottle, a tip & try teapot from Sencha Naturals and a 5 pack canister sampler containing 5 of their newest green tea mints from Sponsor. Prize is non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded, without substitution. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to substitute a prize with another prize of equivalent or greater value if necessary for any reason.

Disclaimers: Sponsor and its affiliated entities are not responsible or liable for contest entries that are entered by other than human means (such as by an automated computer program or any non-human mechanism, entity, or device), in excess of the stated limit, or for entries that are illegible, late, destroyed, lost, misplaced, stolen, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, damaged, incomplete, or otherwise not in compliance with these official rules, and all such entries will be disqualified. By participating in the contest, each registrant/entrant agrees and acknowledges to be bound by these official rules, all Sponsor-related terms and conditions, as well as the decisions of Sponsor which are final and binding in all respects; to waive any rights to claim ambiguity with the official rules, and that Sponsor and its affiliated entities shall have no responsibility or liability (including, but not limited to, liability for any property loss, damage, personal injury or death) in connection with: participation in contest; acceptance/possession (including, but not limited to, delays by shipping companies), defects, and/or use/misuse of a prize; discontinued prizes; human error; incorrect or inaccurate transcription of registration and/or account information; any technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer online system, computer dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, or internet service provider utilized by Sponsor; interruption or inability to access Sponsor, its affiliated entities and their respective websites, or any online service via the internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems; any damage to participant’s (or any third person’s) computer and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the contest; any lost/delayed data transmissions, omissions, interruptions, defects; and/or any other errors or malfunctions, even if caused by the negligence of Sponsor or any one of its affiliated entities. Each participant further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor and its affiliated entities from and against any and all liability resulting or arising from the contest and to release all rights to bring any claim, action or proceeding against Sponsor or its affiliated entities, and hereby acknowledge that Sponsor and its affiliated entities have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to a prize, including express warranties provided exclusively by a prize supplier that may be sent along with a prize. Sponsor and/or its affiliated entities shall in no event be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity that may be caused or contributed to (1) by any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the prize suppliers or any of their agents, servants, employees or independent contractors, (2) by any wrongful, negligent or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any other person or entity not an employee of Sponsor, or (3) by any other cause, condition or event whatsoever beyond the control of Sponsor or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliated companies. Title of this contest may change during the contest. ANY ATTEMPT BY A PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSORS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK ALL LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Additionally, any attempt to cheat the contest, as determined at the sole discretion of the Sponsor, may result in immediate disqualification of the entrant, as well as other possible consequences, including disqualification from any and all existing and future contests. In the event of a dispute, entries made by Internet will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the username submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to a username in the Sponsor website system.

What an Enlightening Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:00:00 +0000

What an Enlightening Show!

SEN CHA turned over a new leaf at the San Francisco fancy food show 2012! We stuffed our flex fuel SUV to capacity and road tripped up the 5 to San Francisco…sometimes taking more than one lane (look out David!). With new flavors, new packaging, and a new tradeshow booth – it all got greener. Yes, now even our tradeshow booth is eco friendly. Our new flavor blends were a smash hit, with Bombay Chai and Tropical Mango drawing the most attention. Besides seeing new and old friends at the show, we hosted a mixer at Samovar (thanks for hanging out 2 Leaves & a Bud and little i!) and sampled some delicious chai along with some delectable butternut squash dumplings and yummy cheese plates.

Enough about us - Here are SEN CHA’s top palette pleasers:

Three Twins Ice Cream: Unique Lemon Cookie & Cardamom flavors kept Elsbeth coming back for more!

http://threetwinsicecream.com/

Teatulia: Desiree has found her inner zen with Teatulia’s unique and savory teas.

http://www.teatulia.com/

Art of Tea: David’s good friends at AOT hooked us up with specially delivered pots of tea to keep us hydrated on the show floor!

http://www.artoftea.com/

David Rio Chai: Not only do they have the best Chai in town, but they also invited us to a groovy mixer and latte art competition. Michelle is hooked on the “Tiger” blend and has been drinking it ever since we got back.

http://www.davidrio.com/chai.html

Ginger: Ginger, ginger everywhere! We saw unfiltered ginger ale, ginger candies, ginger tea, ginger ice cream, ginger chocolate, ginger peppernuts, and even ginger salt.

After all of the excitement of the show, we returned to Los Angeles with our bellies stuffed and smiles on our faces. Until next year Fancy Food Show SF!

Turning Over A New Leaf

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

We are enlightened to announce that our Green Tea Mints have gotten greener! All of us here at Sencha Naturals have been working very hard to implement various eco-friendly improvements throughout our company. With the new year comes new progress, and we are proud to announce that our sustainable outlook now encompasses our manufacturing practices, product packaging, and ingredients. Here's a summary of our improvements:

Green Power
We are the first mint company in the USA to implement a solar-powered manufacturing facility. This green energy is the equivalent of planting almost 2,000 trees per year, as measured by carbon dioxide emissions.

Green Containers
We're excited to introduce brand-new containers for our Green Tea Mints: sleek, newly-designed tubes made of 65% post-consumer materials, which have the added bonus of being 100% biodegradable. We have also redesigned our rounded mint tins and modified the materials to be 100% recyclable as well.

Green Tea Flavors
Our SEN CHA line of Green Tea Mints now consists of five luscious flavors. In addition to the Original Green Tea, we are introducing four brand-new flavors that are hot off the tea fields: Bombay Chai, Pink Dragonfruit, Tropical Mango, and Moroccan Mint. As always, SEN CHA Mints continue to be 100% natural, vegan, and sugar/caffeine/gluten-free, and now all mint varieties are also 100% GMO-free.

Green Tea-Designed Website
We're so proud of our newly-redesigned website, created by the talented designers at Green Tea Group. Final edits are still being made, but you can click here to have a peek around.

We hope you enjoy our new designs & flavors as much as we do! Our new product containers and mint flavors will be ready to ship out March 15th, but if you can't wait that long, they will also be on display this weekend at the 37th annual Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Stop by Booth #336 to say hello and try some yummy samples!

New Pomegranate & Moroccan Artisan Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:26:00 +0000

We are enlightened to introduce our newest artisan blend of Pomegranate and Moroccan Mint. Not only is the duo a perfect combination of coolness and tartness, but it is our healthiest blend yet! As with all Sencha Naturals products, it is sugar-free, caffeine free and just 3 mints equals a serving of Green Tea (antioxidants).

The pomegranate, native to the Middle East, contains antioxidants and vitamins that help boost immunity and general health. This deep red fruit receives its coloring from the large amount polyphenols, a natural antioxidant it contains. Pomegranates, though the size of an apple are considered a berry and contain 3 times the amount of polyphenols than red wine or cranberry juice. Moroccan Mint provides the perfect blend of fresh cut spearmint and peppermint leaves that leaves the palate refreshed, but not overwhelmed.

The unique mix of coolness and tartness is a perfect way to refresh the soul while simultaneously nourishing the body.

To place an order or request a sample please contact us at order@senchanaturals.com.

Reintroducing our Spiced Fuji Apple

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:38:00 +0000

We are excited to reintroduce our artisan edition blend ~ Spiced Fuji Apple. A lively combination of organic apple & ginger extracts blended with a soothing peppermint oil. Fair Trade, All Natural and Sugar Free. Limited series of 5,000 canisters available through direct orders only at order@senchanaturals.com. Please feel free to call or emails us for complimentary samples.

* Holiday Promotion valid until Dec. 31st, 2010

Recent Study Suggests Green Tea May Prevent Oral Bacteria

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:04:00 +0000

We're excited about the health benefits of Green Tea, especially now that more valuable information has been added to its long list of benefits. We're referring to a November 2009 study involving Green Tea, where 3 groups with medical conditions were tested. The study's findings were significant, and indicated that green tea in generous quantities may prevent cancer.

The new study presents that green tea slows the growth of an oral precancerous condition called Leukoplakia, which can develop into cancer. There were 3 Groups of participants, and Group 1 was given 500mg of Green Tea 3 times per day, Group 2 was given 750mg of green tea 3 times per day, and Group 3 was given 1,000mg of green tea 3 times per day. Keep in mind this is quite a bit of Green Tea- 8 cups 3 times per day. Researchers saw a lessening or disappearing of the Leukoplakia in Groups 2 and 3! In Group 1, just over 35% of the participants experienced lesion improvement.

What is it about Green Tea that makes it healthy? The answer is polyphenols, scientists believe. Polyphenols are the chemical components of tea, and medical professionals have announced that they prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath, and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds. Epidemiological surveys and research have suggested that green tea may not only help to prevent tooth decay, but prevent bad breath as well. Green Tea contains more polyphenols (30-40 percent!) than any other type of tea.

Like so many studies, these Green Tea analysis are not completely conclusive, but do give us some insight into the potential that Green Tea has.

We Fancy That!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:48:00 +0000

The Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco was jam packed with the most unique gourmet foods around..not to mention an unusually large crowd of food lovers. Attendance increased by 9% from the last Fancy Foods show in Summer; higher than any show in the last 5 years!

The current trends were expected to be coconut products (try our lychee mints and bars, with hints of coconut!), gluten-free, exotic citrus, and nostalgic flavors like butterscotch.

Our show favorites include David Rio's Toucan Mango Chai mix. I'll be recommending this for Chief Enlightenment Officer and CEO David Kerdoon (find out more about David and the story behind SEN CHA ). His lifetime goal is to make the perfect cup of chai, and at our SEN CHA company meetings he proudly fills our teacups with his concoctions, eagerly awaiting a positive review. (Next time I'll sneak in a few scoops of Rio's blend for kicks!) We also enjoyed Republic of Tea's Hibiscus loose leaf tea blends, and Honestea's new cleansing Kombucha teas.

We like the spirit of giving that was present at Fancy Foods; 130,000 lbs of specialty foods (enough to fill 3 tractor trailers!) was donated to families in need in the Bay Area. The trade association also pledged to match donations put forth by its staff members.

Chief Enlightenment Office David Kerdoon (left) and Jessie Samovar at Samovar Tea in the Mission-Castro neighborhood in San Francisco. Samovar has 3 locations, and offers quality loose leaf teas and a delicious menu. David enjoyed recuperating in the lounge after a lively weekend at the Fancy Foods Show.

Spiced Fuji Apple goes to Fancy Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:09:00 +0000

It's that time of year again, and we're headed to the biannual Fancy Foods Show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. This time, we'll be introducing our first limited edition mint, Spiced Fuji Apple.

Fuji apples are a cross between Ralls Janet and Red Delicious apples, developed in Japan. They have become one of the more popular apples because of their aromatic flavor and crisp texture, and remain a favorite in Southeast Asia. As you may have noticed, Fuji Apples have become widely available in recent years in the United States.

Since our limited edition mints will be showcased at the Fancy Foods Show for the first time, we're excited to be giving away samples to our customers and friends. Stay tuned for our next limited edition flavor coming out later this year!

Spiced Fuji Apple mints are limited, with only 5,000 canisters available. Contact Sencha Naturals at (888) 4-SENCHA or place an order by emailing us at orders@senchanaturals.com

Ringing in the New Year at SEN CHA

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Now that it's time to ring in the New Year, we want to know what your New Year's Resolution is. Whether it be to exercise more, spend more time with the family or eat healthier, most of us have an agenda to improve ourselves for the new decade.

Here at Sencha Naturals, we are taking steps to become more eco-friendly and socially conscious in the ways our products are made. For 2010, we will be planning to donate a portion of our earnings to non-profit organizations. We'll also be using more eco-friendly packaging that can be more easily recycled, and giving consumers ideas on way to reuse our mint canisters. Always searching for healthier alternatives, our staff will be working hard to improve the quality of our products so that we can provide natural foods with the best possible ingredients.

Keep up to date with our progress by following us on Twitter, adding us on Facebook, or subscribing to this blog.

SEN CHA Supports Freedom and Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:14:00 +0000

At SEN CHA, we do what we can to support events that raise awareness ab out certain social issues, so when we were contacted by Jennifer at Freedom and Fashion, we asked what we could do to help.

What is Freedom and Fashion? "'Freedom and Fashion' is an organization that focuses on educating the public on matters of injustice as well as promoting Fair Trade companies." The kind of injustices the

y are referring to are associated with the ugly side of the fashion industry, which often exploits factory workers and oppresses children. Instead of focusing on a deeper understanding of the impact of the art form and how it affects society, fashion shows often focus on the beauty and glamor side.

"On one side of the fashion industry is the art and culture, wealth and privilege, and style and grace. The flip side, however, is the exploitation of factory workers, cotton harvesters and enslaved children."

In UCLA's Ackerman Ballroom we perused through exhibits of Freedom and Fashion's fair trade sponsors; 6 brands that are doing their part to change the often unfair fashion industry. Guests at the event enjoyed goody-bags with fair trade items including Sencha Naturals Green Tea Mints and Bars.

Freedom & Fashion Photo Shoot from Merely Avessel on Vimeo.

Giving Thanks is Celebrated All Around the World

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and the SEN CHA crew is super excited to indulge in delicious food and partake in the usual family festivities. In the U.S, most of us celebrate Thanksgiving with a big dinner with friends and family. But what do other cultures do to express thanks? Here we take a look at a few other cultures around the globe to see what their version of thanksgiving is like...

The August Moon Festival is celebrated by the Chinese on the 15th day of the 8th lunar moon. This holiday includes lots of food, and instead of a pumpkin pie, mooncakes are baked and sent to friends and relatives as a way of giving thanks. Chinese legend says that the moon is the roundest and brightest on this day, and provides the perfect atmosphere for friendships to be renewed. While in the West, we place emphasis on the importance of the sun, Easterners focus their admiration on the moon. The Moon Festival is also known as the Women's Festival, because the moon is known to represent beauty and elegance.

Kwanzaa is based on African harvest traditions, and it's literal meaning is "first fruits in Swahili." The festivities begin on December 26 and last for 7 days. Don't be fooled by popular belief; Kwanzaa is not a substitute for Christmas. It is a gathering of family to celebrate community and cultural values that are often celebrated in addition to Christmas. The 7 day celebration is based on the 7 basic values of African culture; unity, self determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

The Jewish community celebrates Succoth, which takes place in September and October, starting on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. Like Kwanzaa, Succoth lasts for 7 days. The reason for the festival is historic and religious; it goes back to a time when Hebrews had to travel through the wilderness on their journey to Isreal. During this time they lived in open booths called Succahs, where they would pray in thanks for crops.

Whatever holiday you are celebrating, Sencha Naturals wishes you a warm, loving and thankful one!

Hint Mint 10th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:21:00 +0000

We love mints, and naturally we have a fondness for our own...but we also support other companies who are innovative and unconventional. Hint Mints don't contain any animal products, and all profits from the breast cancer Awareness Series are donated to charity. We like that.

Our friends over at Hint Mint are celebrating their Tenth Anniversary with 6 weeks of celebration in Venice, California. They've opened up a unique space to display framed artwork used for their stylish mint tins. Along with the discernible Hint Mint artwork, a number of events are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks until December 31, 2009.

We were invited to attend Hint Mint's event with award winning poet Sekou Andrews who shared with us verses about luck. We drew on their gigantic art board, drank Izze sodas with Blue Ice Vodka, and sampled mints at the mint bar. All in all, it was a good night.

Framed artwork by the artist Shag was on display November 13. Hint Mint commissions artists like Gary Baseman and James Jean to decorate the 1920's style mint tins.

SEN CHA Attends the Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:34:00 +0000

We had the pleasure of witnessing some great things at the Beverly Hills Hotel on the evening of Friday November 6th at the 38th Annual Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Awards.

Peace Over Violence is nonprofit organization which was established in 1971 who works to 'build healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence’ since 1971 in Los Angeles.

The agency is a pioneer in providing crisis intervention and prevention education, as well as a national leader in advocacy and education around disability and victim services.

Whether it’s providing counseling to a woman in a hospital emergency room after the latest assault by her partner; providing comfort to a victim who’s called our hotline; giving legal counsel to a woman on how to get a restraining order; or a high school class where we teach youth that ‘my strength is not for hurting.’

Celebrity supporters of Peace Over Violence were in attendance; Calista Flockart, Pierce and Keely Brosnan, Rene Russo and Mariska Hartigay (Joyful Heart Foundation). Each gave moving testimonies illustrating the organization's positive effects on the community.

At Sencha Natuals, we are proud supporters of organizations who are taking action to improve communities. Green Tea Mint packettes were donated for this years Humanitarian Awards.

For more information about Peace Over Violence and tips about how to support peace in your community visit www.peaceoverviolence.org.

Take 15% off for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Yes, it's official; the holidays are right around the corner, and there's no turning back! We are all familiar with the traditional stocking stuffers; fudge, candy canes, shortbread and fruitcake. They call it pound cake for a reason.

Times are changing, and super sweet sugary snacks are making their way out from under the tree. Treats loaded with guilty goodness are proving to be not so great for our health. No one wants to feel lethargic during the holidays, and we all want to look our best.

So what to do? Give the gift of good health! Our Green Tea Mints and Bars fit perfectly into holiday stockings. Not only will you be doing a favor for their bodies, but you'll be doing the planet a favor, too. Green Tea Mints and Green Tea Bars are Fair Trade, made with organic ingredients, and contain real green tea extract.

Enjoy 15% off of your next holiday order! Offer good until December 31, 2009.

SEN CHA joins Winnie Couture for a night to remember!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0000

We joined Winnie Couture for an evening of bridal fashions with proceeds benefiting breast cancer awareness. The event was held on Friday, October 3rd in Beverly Hills, and was a night to remember. Our private label mints were included in gift bags for guests at the red carpet benefit.

Winnie Couture is a modern mix of classic elegant and sophisticated couture. It blends femininity and luxury to create bridal attire silhouettes that are flattering and timeless, while combining modern translation of vintage fashion and royal embellishments.

Let us help you tie the knot with our private label mints. Available in 4 delicate flavors and made with natural ingredients at our solar powered facility, ours are a chic alternative to conventional wedding mints. Design your own labels, or have us do the artwork for you.

~Moroccan Mint

~Berry Pomegranate

~Soothing Lavender

~Spiced Chocolate

For more info: (213) 621-4100

Makaibari; Creating A Credible Cup of Tea

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:12:00 +0000

Sencha Naturals Green Tea Mints and Bars contain the finest certified organic, fair trade green tea grown on quite possibly the most sustainable farm in the world; the Makaibari Tea Estate.

So the Makaibari Estate really is our cup of tea.

Nestled in the eastern Himalayan mountains in Darjeeling, India, the Makaibari Tea Estate is the world's first tea estate. Established in 1859, it continues to produce 120 tons of tea per year for a dozen countries. The expansive "tea garden" spreads out along rain forests that are home to endangered animals such as leopards, tigers, birds and an abundance of never before documented insects.

Makaibari grows tea based on a system of permaculture.
You see, Makaibari follows a system of forest management called permaculture, where farms are created based on an ecologically sound model where the arrangement mimics the relationships found in natural ecology. In other words, the Makaibari is virtually untouched by human industrialization.

At the Makaibari Estate in India, tea is a way of life.
A portion of the Fair Trade tea earnings at Makaibari go towards projects that benefit the community

The projects funded by their earnings include a computer based education system for the children who live on the seven villages of the Makaibari property. A homestay arrangement has been established for the many travelors that trek through Makaibari; fees are a modest $25 for a night which includes authentic meals. Fourteen families living and working on the estate have opened a portion of their homes especially for this purpose.

Makaibari Video “The Lord of Darjeeling”
The Makaibari Tea Estate is the birthplace of SEN CHA's most essential ingredient

Swaraj Kumar Banajerie (a.k.a Rajah Makaibari) is a fourth generation tea planter whose great grandfather bought the Makaibari Tea Estate in 1859. Rajah has a deep love for tea and for nature. He has spoken at dozens of conventions all over the world about ethical trade, sustainability and the importance of organic foods and how these elements can shape a harmonious future.

The Gluten Free Vendor Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Are you Gluten Free in Georgia?
If so, you're in for a treat this weekend!

The Gluten Free Vendor Fair is a free event open to the public with more than 70 participating vendors and 500 plus attendees. Everyone is invited to attend and take advantage of the many delicious gluten free snacks for sampling and for sale.

Created by the Atlanta Metro Celiac Support Group, donations will be graciously accepted with proceeds benefiting the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG). GIG offers support to those living in the Atlanta area experiencing the effects of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

Just a reminder that Sencha Naturals Green Tea Mints and Bars are wheat and gluten free, and may be enjoyed by those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Find samples of our natural food products at the Gluten Free Vendor Fair this weekend- just look for the Fine Food Marketing booth.

Sencha Naturals~ Proudly Vegan

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:40:00 +0000

Lately our fans have been asking why our mints and bars are vegan.

The answer is simple; besides being an ecologically and socially responsible company, we believe that making vegan food is important.

More tests are indicating that eating meat contributes to the destruction of the rainforest, the air quality crisis and the mass pollution of our waterways.

~According to a 2006 United Nations report, the meat industry produces more greenhouse gases than the world's cars, planes and ships combined

~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted that 90% of hazardous ammonia emissions in the United States come from farms that raise animals used for consumption

~The EPA has concluded that 35,000 miles of river in 22 states have been polluted by contaminated groundwater from farm animals on a greater scale than all industrial sources

S0 we may want to ask ourselves this question, "Why do we consume animals that eat plants when we can just eat the plants?"

Here at Sencha Naturals, we feel great about providing nourishing snacks made with plant based ingredients. Green Tea Mints and Bars are certified vegan, kosher, and wheat/gluten free. To try them out for yourself, visit our online retailer finder or order here.

We want to see you smile!

Here's your chance to win a SEN CHA Gift Pack with a handful of Green Tea Mint and Bar samples and an American Apparel tea-shirt.

Just send us a photo of yourself enjoying the company of a Sencha Naturals Green Tea Bar or Mint, and give us a reason why you like our products.

Submissions may be e-mailed to jamie@senchanaturals.com or sent by mail to:

Contests at Sencha Naturals
912 East 3rd Street Building 101
Los Angeles, CA 90013

*winners must live in the contiguous United States and have not won a Sencha Naturals contest in the last 90 days

It’s SEN CHA Survey time!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:26:00 +0000

What does that mean for us?
We get to know you a little better.
What does that mean for you?
A chance to win a sweet SEN CHA gift pack*!

We will choose 5 winners who thoroughly answer a few easy questions on our blog. Answers may be submitted to jamie@senchanaturals.com. The survey closes on Thursday September 24 at 5:00pm.

Good Luck!

What best describes you when purchasing food? Pick one.
a.) The cheaper the better!
b.) It’s all about taste
c.) I want the skinny; low calories, carbs, and fat
d.) Supporting eco-friendly companies is most important to me
e.) Other (please describe)_____________________

Where did you first hear about Sencha Naturals?
a.) I saw the products on a shelf at a store
b.) I’m a friend/fan on Facebook
c.) I stumbled upon the Sencha Naturals blog while surfing the net
d.) What is Sencha Naturals?
e.) Other (please describe)_____________________

What’s your opinion on wholesome and healthy foods?
a.) It tastes like bark
b.) I can’t get enough of healthy foods; I care about my body and what I put into it!
c.) I eat whatever tastes good, whether it’s healthy or not
d.) If healthy foods were cheaper, I would purchase them more often
e.) Other (please describe)_____________________

How often do you purchase breath mints?
a.) A few times per year
b.) I always have mints in close reach
c.) About once a week
d.) Other (please describe)_____________________

*gift packs include one SEN CHA Tea-shirt, 4 Green Tea Bars, Green Tea Mint Packettes, and a Morning Lychee Mint canister

International Day of Peace September 21

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:04:00 +0000

Started by the United Nations in 1981, the International Day of Peace is an opportunity for all of us to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. See what communities are doing this weekend to promote peace...

-All over the world, Giant Peace Dove kites are being crafted by young people from reused materials. From Santa Monica California to Mt. Kilimanjaro peace doves will soar

-Peace will be sung by children, starting in New Zealand, and around the whole earth back to Hawaii. Montessori schools will form a “singing chain” with a special song carried out by children continuously for the whole holiday.

-A 24 hour World Peace Celebration and Global broadcast commemorating the 27^th annual Peace Day will include highlights of the United Nations work toward peace. The broadcast will also feature highlights on individuals and organizations around the world who are dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable world.

-Earthwalker Paul Coleman has been walking from Korea to London in support of the International Day of Peace and will arrive on Peace Day 2012 where he plans to promote a Green Olympics.

Roots and Shoots celebrations will be gathering on Saturday September 20 to celebrate International Peace Day. Roots and Shoots was created by conservationist and humanitarian Jane Goodall, and has been a steadfast youth driven global network in over 100 countries working to promote concern for animals, the environment and human community since 1991.

singer Gavin Rossdale performs for Roots and Shoots Santa Monica

-Santa Monica, CA- An eco-friendly, free family festival celebrating peace by the beach on the Santa Monica Pier. This Day of Peace will include music and entertainment, celebrity guest speakers and performances, arts and crafts and other special activities.

-New York, NY- The public celebrates peace with music, activities and a parade at the Bowling Green Park. Following the festivities, participants are encouraged to join Jane Goodall at the Statue of Liberty to fly Giant Peace Doves. For more information contact Shawn Sweeney at sjssweeney@gmail.com

-Boston, MA-Join fellow peacemakers at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse. Journey with your 'peace passport' so you can play peace games, join a photo scavenger hunt, and create a video pledge for peace.

For more Roots and Shoots events in your area, click here

What can we do to promote peace?

-Make peace with someone who you care about

-Wear a peace facepainting or temporary tattoo

-Hang a peace flag from your window

Take a bite out of Green Tea Mints and Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0000

How familiar are you with our family of Green Tea Mints and Bars? Whether you a health connoisseur or just enjoy a simple,tasty snack, let us enlighten your mind with these tea tidbits...

SEN CHA Green Tea Mints and Bars are actually infused with real decaffeinated green tea that is organic and Fair Trade Certified. In fact, the green tea we use is grown in one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling, India; in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains spreads The Makaibari Tea Estate, the first tea garden to be certified for trade in the world.

SEN CHA Green Tea Bars and Mints are offered in 4 distinctive flavors...

SEN CHA Original Green Tea Bars- Mixed with lightly roasted brown rice and a medley of antioxidant rich goji berries, nuts and seeds

SEN CHA Delicate Pear Green Tea Bars- Arranged with a medley of ripe pears, dates and prunes to provide sweet overtones

SEN CHA Lively Lemongrass Green Tea Bars-
Combined with fresh lemon peel and zesty ginger for an eclectic fusion

SEN CHA Morning Lychee Green Tea Bars- An Asian inspired blend of luscious lychee fruit mixed with coconut pieces

SEN CHA Original Green Tea Mints- A subtle yet distinct green tea flavor that revitalizes the breath naturally

SEN CHA Delicate Pear Green Tea Mints- With fresh pear extract with green tea for a sweet sensation

SEN CHA Lively Lemongrass Green Tea Mints- A mixture of citrus, ginger and lemongrass zest for for a breath of fresh air

SEN CHA Morning Lychee Green Tea Mints- Inviting you to the Far East with an invigorating blend of green tea, lychee and coconut extracts

Now that you know more about our family of Green Tea Mints and Bars, feel free to enjoy them!

Order online at www.SenchaNaturals.com or find a store close by at our Retailer Finder.

Going for the Goji!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:39:00 +0000

We love the Goji Berry because it packs a powerful punch... not only in its tart flavor but in antioxidants, too. A Goji looks like a raisin in texture and is found on evergreen shrubs in Mongolia and the Himalayan Mountains. The Goji's history stretches back 6,000 years as a healing plant used by the ancient Chinese, and are said to...

-Protect eyesight by helping the retina absorb blue light, in turn prolonging vision

-Improve liver function

-Strengthen the legs

-Boost overall immune function

Find your daily dose of Goji Berries in the SEN CHA Original Green Tea Bar!

Fair Trade Retailer Focus: Pangea Artisan Market and Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:13:00 +0000

We are excited to announce one of our newest retailers, Pangea Artisan Market and Café, located in Washington D.C not far from the White House!

After crossing paths with the Pangea Crew at the Summer 2009 Fancy Foods Show in NYC, we became interested in their store, their ideology, and essentially their active participation in the Fair Trade movement.

Fair Trade certifies that farmers and artisans in developing countries are paid reasonably and promised safe and healthy working conditions. Fair Trade also prohibits child labor and supports social and business development in communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Purchasing a high quality, beautifully handcrafted item from Pangea supports skilled artisans in developing countries and their communities.

While browsing the store for unique gifts and home décor, visit Pangea’s café and enjoy the Trade coffee, paninis and SEN CHA Fair Trade Green Tea bars!

Sencha Naturals Invites First lady Michelle Obama To Make The White House A "Fair Trade Home"

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Press Release

LOS ANGELES, CA, AUGUST 2009:
Sencha Naturals, an organic green tea infused snack and mint manufacturer, is reaching out to the White House as a part of the national grass-roots, nonpartisan coalition “Fair Trade the White House.”

The Fair Trade the White House coalition consists of fair trade organizations, vendors, retailers, schools, and individuals, who are all cordially inviting the First Lady to join the fair trade movement and declare the White House a “Fair Trade Home.” By declaring the White House a “Fair Trade Home,” Mrs. Obama can encourage households throughout America to continue refining their buying habits toward ethical consumption so that poverty, both in America and around the world, is reduced.

Sencha Naturals is encouraging the public to sign the public invitation to the First Lady, online at www.fairtradewhitehouse.com. From Girl Scout Leaders, to actors such as Tony Hale from “Chuck,” and “Arrested Development” fame, all types of fair trade supporters are signing the First Lady’s invitation to show Mrs. Obama the momentum of the fair trade movement that has grown to over $4 billion in 2008 global revenue, and accounts for over 1.5 million workers around the world (FLO, 2009).

Through fair trade, people producing a product are treated fairly, paid fairly, and are being fair to the environment. Desiree Thomas, Marketing Director of Sencha Naturals, notes, “Through fair trade, we link small organic green tea farmers with ethical consumers. In doing so, shoppers directly support sustainable farming, fair environmental practices, and fair job creation in both the States and in countries throughout the world.”

If the First Lady accepts the “Fair Trade the White House” invitation, the goal is to conduct a ceremony in May 2010, “World Fair Trade Day.”

ABOUT SENCHA NATURALS
Enlightening mouths since 2001, Sencha Naturals is a leading purveyor of green tea inspired foods. Based out of Los Angeles, Sencha’s all-natural line of gourmet Green Tea Mints & Green Tea Bars currently consists of four luscious flavors, available at cafes, tea shops, natural & specialty food stores worldwide.

ABOUT FAIR TRADE THE WHITE HOUSE
Fair Trade the White House was initiated in February 2009 by Anti-Body (anti poverty, beautiful body), a fair trade body-care company. A steering committee joined Anti-Body in June 2009 and is comprised of representatives from Alter Eco, Dr. Bronner’s, Equal Exchange, Fair For Life (IMO), Fair Trade Federation, Fair Trade Resource Network, Green America, Handmade Expressions, L. Ishii & Associates, TransFair, and advocate Jacqueline DeCarlo. For a complete and current list of supporting parties, visit:
http://www.fairtradewhitehouse.com/ftwh_media_kit.pdf

We have a winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Sencha Naturals Blog) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:38:00 +0000

We would like to start off this week’s blog by congratulating Daniel Bonneau of Webster, Massachusetts for winning the first ever SEN CHA Pop Quiz! He did the research, and in turn has been handsomely rewarded with a SEN CHA “tea shirt,” and samples of our products. Be sure to stay tuned in to our blog and Facebook for upcoming quizzes, games and opportunities to win free stuff.

Become a SEN CHA Facebook fan:

Sprouting Sites
In our free time we enjoy surfing these sites for natural resources..

www.recyclebank.com

The recycle bank system rewards for curbside and electronic recycling. They have created a point system enhanced with an RFID chip attached to your recycle bin which weighs your recyclable waste. The reward; valuable coupons! Vouchers from Target, Kraft, and countless other vendors are rewarded to those who participate in the program.

www.tastybaby.com

Tasty Baby is the gluten free, frozen organic baby food that uses recyclable BPA free containers that has been making its mark on the natural foods industry. Whether you have kids or not , this is a great site to keep you updated with green celebrities, fashion, events, and news. Our favorite part of their site is called the “Tasty Throw down,” where Tasty Baby takes a hot topic in the news and stimulates debate.

www.localharvest.org

Includes a search engine for finding fresh grown food in your area. Just type in your zip code for a list of nearby farmer’s markets, grocery co-ops, and restaurants that can provide you with fresh and organic foods. Local Harvest gives resources on finding CSA (community supported agriculture) systems near you, and gives access to community farm news and photos.

www.Teance.com

At SEN CHA, we love our tea, and that’s why we love browsing the Teance website, which includes their fresh picked loose leaf teas that can be purchased online, all of which are as pure and premium as possible. Teance also provides information on all things tea, including how long to steep tea and store tea. If you are in the San Francisco area, participate in one of their classes for a small fee where you can sample their teas, take “steeping classes” and write “tea poetry.”