Tazo

Tazo is a big name. If you drink tea you have most likely heard of them. Unfortunately, when a brand gets big they often don’t care much about small fry blogs like this one. This was the response I received from them:

At this time, our company has long-standing global supply chain service and resource relationships established. While we appreciate your interest in our company, unfortunately we do not have any further information to offer you. Sincerely, TAZO Consumer Services.

I bring this to light not to make Tazo look bad or slander their name in any way. Simply to show that when a company becomes big enough, they sometimes gloss over ‘simple’ things like this blog. Perhaps and hopefully someday founder Steven Smith will reply in his own words. That all being said, what is written below is what I rounded up from the Tazo website.

Website: https://www.tazo.com/ 

Location:

• Founded in Portland, Oregon, now a division of Unilever based in Kent, Washington. Online and in retail locations pretty much everywhere.

Company Focus:

• TAZO was founded as a brand that challenges the status quo to better society. The way we see it, we have a moral responsibility that extends beyond our products. We have to be better to do better. Read more here.

Most popular company tea(s)?

• They do not list what their most popular teas are so I’m surmising that it is Awake English Breakfast, Classic Chai, Wild Sweet Orange, and Passion.

Does the company name have a meaning?

• The name TAZO was inspired by the whirling mating dance of pharaohs of ancient Egypt.  It’s also synonymous with the cheery salutation used by residents of Easter Island in the 5th century.  It’s pretty incredible. True?  Maybe, Maybe not.  Either way, it’s how founder Steven Smith explained the name and it’s as good an indicator as any of the spirit of creativity, adventure, and originality that TAZO is built on.

Do you participate in any charities?

• Climate Justice. In June, we pledged $250,000 to fund anti-racism work. We’ve invested those funds into two amazing organizations led by Black women fighting for climate justice: WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Intersectional Environmentalist. We recently supported a new paid internship program with Intersectional Environmentalist aimed at providing valuable experience, mentorship, and training to BIPOC youth passionate about developing inclusive climate solutions.

What are your thoughts on transparency in the tea industry?

• There really is no mention of sustainable practices but they do list the NON GMO label which is one step.

What role does tea play in our lives?

• Camp Tazo. This is just a hypothesis but I believe this is what they would talk about.

TeaTiff Picks: I no longer drink this one but I used to love Passion. It had the right amount of tart and sweet blended to make a great cold tisane.