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Specialty Tea Definition

By , About.com Guide

An image of Oriental Beauty Oolong (a.k.a.

This specialty oolong was harvested from a single tea farm and then hand processed.

Lindsey Goodwin
Definition: The segment of the tea industry that produces loose-leaf teas, single-estate teas, Fair Trade/organic teas, rare tea types (such as white tea and pu-erh tea) and (some argue) uncommon flavors of tea (such as some dessert teas). The specialty tea industry has seen substantial growth in the last decade.

Some high-end tea importers and retailers feel the term "specialty tea" has become overused and have begun to opt for artisanal tea as a descriptor for their teas instead.
Examples:
Makaibari Estate Second Flush Muscatel Black Tea (organic, biodynamic, Fair Trade)

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