Meet George Rodriguez of Adhara Tea & Botanicals

Today we’d like to introduce you to George Rodriguez.

Hi George, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a tea drinker for many years and took a deeper interest in tea, herbs, and botanicals around 2018. During that time, I did a lot of reading and research about the different tea styles, production, regions, culture, and history surrounding tea globally. It’s fascinating how all “true tea” is from the same plant technically but develops different flavors and aromatics from the production techniques that have been passed down for generations.

In 2019, I reached out to tea plantations and tea importers around the world to get more information and sample premium white, green, oolong, black, and Puerh teas. Many of them were very helpful and sent samples from China, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka. Sampling teas helped broaden my palette and overall understanding of the differences between tea regions around the world.

Covid in 2020 gave me the incentive to dive deep into herbs and blend teas. While trying to stay healthy a collection of signature blends was created and shared with friends and family. Before the end of the year, I decided to form Adhara Tea & Botanicals as a business, built a website, imported teas in bulk, and started selling them online.

My goal is to set up a brick-and-mortar shop and tea bar to share my knowledge and promote the culture, and benefits of tea.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall the process has been pretty smooth, and enjoyable. The only obstacles have been delays with shipping due to Covid and backed-up supply chains overseas. I try to remain patient and reassure myself it will be worth the wait.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Adhara Tea & Botanicals is an importer, online retailer of premium loose leaf teas, botanicals, and signature herbal tea blends.

We personally source and purchase our teas directly from tea producers or representatives of tea plantations around the globe, and specialize in loose leaf teas that are brewed traditionally using Gong Fu Cha brewing or tea ceremonies. Brewing tea traditionally gives you the opportunity to slow down and enjoy all the nuances of the tea. We view enjoying tea in this way as an opportunity to slow down and learn how to live mindfully.

I believe our approach to tea in a traditional way will resonate with those who are interested in mindfulness, yoga, nature, or world culture. We’re proud of how we present our curated products and the appreciation we receive from the producers overseas. I enjoy spreading the knowledge and giving the talented tea makers from small villages around the world some recognition for their dedication and hard work.

We’re a few years in with the company and have many ideas to broaden our offerings with tea tastings, events, education, and a location for “tea heads” to gather eventually.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the last two years, I’ve seen interest in tea grow and new products evolve in the ready-to-drink category.

You now find teas marketed closely to craft beers, cocktails, and sparkling teas as a soda alternative. Consumers are now looking for healthier alternatives and reducing their alcohol consumption.

I can see these products as a gateway for some consumers to expand their tea knowledge, and begin their own tea journey.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.adharatea.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/adharatea
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adharatea
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdharaTea
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbC8D7o0yr1zmmPyu6l56eA
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/AdharaTea