Summer's Blog For Food and Drink

When the global superpower known as the Soviet Union unraveled nearly two decades ago, few people would have predicted that the economic chaos produced by its downfall would actually result in a gain for the environment. The Caucasus mountains, between the Black and the Caspian seas, have long been inhabited by Georgians, Armenians and Azerbaijanis, to name just a few people groups. The economic instability and financial pain caused by the break up of the USSR plunged their nations into turmoil as high inflation and devalued currencies meant many farmers were unable to buy the fertilizers and pesticides they would normally use in cultivating their crops. The concurrent decline of industry resulted in an increase in both air and water quality as pollutants that once clogged the airshed in the Soviet era disappeared.
The result? Twenty years later, the Caucasus region has some of the most ecologically pure terrain in the world. Already remarkably diverse, with nearly 1600 plant species unique to its region alone, the Caucasian mountains now provide an extremely favorable environment for native flora to thrive. In fact, the highlands of tiny Armenia, roughly the size of the state of Maryland, are home to over 3500 species of plant life—fully 50% more biodiversity than would be found in a similar sized area in Europe. Herbs such as oregano, thyme, elderflower, mint and Linden flowers grow wild in the pristine alpine habitats. Many of these wild herbs have been used by Armenians to make herbal tea blends, or tisanes, for centuries. The country that lays claim to the world’s oldest winery may also harbor one of its oldest tea cultures. Ancient manuscripts contain what we would today consider recipes for tea blends that are still enjoyed by contemporary Armenians.
One company, Authentic Teas has been able to harness the purity of the Armenian highlands, the antiquity of its culture and port it around the world in the form of what CFO David Richardson calls “an unforgettable tea experience”. Since his late teens, Richardson has been on a tasteful quest to sample tea from every corner of the world. Encountering Armenian tea brought him to a full stop: he was captivated not only by the taste but with the story of Armenian tea.
Richardson explained that the secret to Authentic Teas’ uniqueness begins with its wild-crafting—meaning the herbs are harvested sustainably in the wild and then processed entirely by hand. The tea crafting takes place in indigenous village areas, where most of the economic benefits generated are returned to local artisans. He pointed out this is Authentic Teas’ way of making sure they give back to the local economy and help support a lifestyle and culture steeped in two thousand years of tradition. “We tell the story of tea through the people who handcraft each cup: we connect actual tea artisans to genuine tea lovers through the shared experience of tea excellence,” he explained.
Authentic Teas’ timing may be just about perfect. Tea’s popularity is booming around the world thanks to the increase in knowledge about the positive effects of regular tea consumption. Tea has less caffeine than coffee, and an increasing body of research evidences tea’s many beneficial health effects ranging from improved cardiovascular health, reduced cancer risks and obesity, and enhanced immune function. Even without the boost from recent research, the healthful benefits of herbal teas have been known for millennia of human civilization. Authentic Teas blending expert, Dr. Armen Mehrabyan, knows firsthand how tea knowledge has been handed down from generation to generation of Armenians.
Dr. Mehrabyan, recognized by the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization for his expertise in ancient Armenian food culture, has spent many years of professional study understanding the precise nature of tea crafting. “Harvesters must be thoroughly trained in herb collection and handling techniques in accordance with ancient Armenian traditions,” he explained. “They even sing traditional folk songs as they gather the herbs.” As each herb has a particular song, singing is believed to improve the quality of the tea. The time of day, the phase of the moon, and even the attitudes of the collectors are taken into account before the leaves are harvested. In addition, the World Health Organization sets out guidelines that ensure harvesting wild plants does not damage natural ecosystems or the unusual native biodiversity of Armenia.
Given the unique tea produced by Armenians, Authentic Teas’ Richardson sees tremendous opportunity. “Here in North America, tea is the new coffee,” he observed. Much like wine, coffee, and olive oil, consumer knowledge is beginning to unlock the differentiating qualities of teas. Tea drinkers are beginning to recognize the difference between run-of-the-mill mass-produced tea versus boutique teas. “Armenian tea represents thousands of years of tea knowledge, respect for both nature and people—it’s a way of life distilled into a cup of tea,” he commented. In addition, the purity of the alpine habitats has allowed Authentic Teas to gain organic certification for its teas, most of which are USDA certified organic or made with organic ingredients.
A study funded by the United Nations Development Program noted that Armenians have uses for over 2,000 of the plant species found in their country, including over 800 with medicinal qualities. With a plant base so wide-ranging, Richardson sees no limit to the potential of Armenian tea to contribute to healthy lifestyles around the world. “What we have today is a global awakening to the power of tea. Armenian tea is at the pinnacle of tea quality with healthful benefits we want to make available to the world.”
Anna Neufeld: As an experienced travel guide and freelance writer, Anna loves to unlock the secrets of extraordinary cultural treasures. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, but considers many places in the world to be ‘home’.