Background

Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) teas are a delicious range of natural and organic green, white and oolong teas brought to you by a small ethical, family run business. The teas are grown at altitude and carefully prepared high up the remote Yellow Mountain region of China (where rich soils are fed by abundant rains) according to age old tradition.

Qi is taken from the ancient Chinese teachings which state Qi is the lifeforce and the natural energy of life. The idea that, as we move through our lives, we are ridding our bodies of negative Qi energy and replacing it with positive Qi energy which is where the Qi Teas foundations lay. As such Qi Teas are intended to help equilibrium as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Qi Tea is sourced from tea bushes (camellia sinensis) that grow in small clusters on the mountainsides around the village of Xitou (pronounced Sheetoh). Unlike mainstream teas, Qi does not come from a plantation, rather the tea bushes grow amongst the other native flora of the Yellow Mountains. Once the tea farmers pick the tea (scattered throughout the surrounding mountains), everyone walks back to the village so the processing of the tea can start within 2 hours. This halts the oxidation of the leaf and prevents any bitterness from developing.

In that sense, Qi Teas really is one of the most environmentally and ecosystem-friendly teas you can buy. The teas are a light and refreshing tea without any bitterness and will help to enhance your wellbeing by promoting mental alertness and is known to relieve digestive symptoms and headaches. Qi Teas are independently certified organic by international accreditation body Ecocert. Qi Teas are guaranteed to be free of chemicals, pesticides, formaldehyde and genetic modification.

At Qi Tea, the focus is on the lifecycle of every product. The wrapping outside each box of tea is made from compostable cello (plant-based). The tea bag paper contains a high percentage of plant fibre, giving the tea bags their natural colour—unlike the white bags typical of mainstream brands. This natural tone is achieved because the paper is completely unbleached. The tea bags are also free from aluminium staples and glue.

A Commitment To The Community

For decades, Qi Tea has worked hand in hand with ten remote mountain communities, growing and preparing tea in the true spirit of partnership. Through Fair Trade, local farmers receive fair prices, fair wages, and fair working conditions—ensuring that every stage of production supports both people and planet. With this ongoing support, these communities built their own tea processing facility, now proudly owned by the Farmers’ Co-op. Today, every box of Qi Tea helps these communities thrive, keeping profits where they belong—at home.

Fair Trade encompasses a wide range of criteria, but the key points are:

  • A fair minimum price per kg of product sold.

  • Longer-term trading relationships and advance payment.

  • Specific International Labour Organisation standards (such as prohibiting the use of child or slave labour).

Instrumental in setting up the first Fair Trade project in China, Qi Tea trades directly with its Fair Trade farmers. In 2012, the brand was awarded a Social Responsibility award for its business model at the Cathay Pacific Business Awards, and its organic teas have also achieved 'Best-Buy' status.

Qi Tea strives to be as ethical and environmentally friendly as possible. The facility in China, based right at the tea gardens, is run entirely on renewable energy from local hydro-electric power, and the highest quality organic ingredients are sourced locally to reduce the carbon impact of importing them from other countries.