Tea

The many varietals of tea, all derived from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, are steeped in tradition and history. While some tea varieties fetch high consumer prices and can provide lucrative livelihood opportunities at origin, others unfortunately have been associated with low incomes and poor working conditions. In some geographies, inadequate wages and benefits, such as housing, fail to meet basic standards of decency for tea workers and their families—a situation which has drawn international attention. This has turned a spotlight not only on tea production, but also on trade and consumption.