Tea's the season to be giving!

BOULDER, Colo. -- The TeaSpot makes gift giving socially responsible by directing 5% of any online order toward the social initiative of your choice. Choose to make a difference with every gift you give. Shop the-teaspot.com and be proactive with gift giving this year. Steepware(TM) paired with Loose Leaves or elegantly packaged gift sets, such as "Tea for 2," "Teas & Teacups" and the "Student Starter Pack" make the perfect gifts for all tea lovers, from novice to connoisseur.

The time has come to make tea time easy, relaxing and fun while making a difference. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, and is now gaining tremendous appreciation in the United States. The tea industry is not only growing in numbers, but is also gaining social consciousness. Laura Everage, in a recent article for Specialty Food Magazine, entitled "Tea's Time," writes 'Consumers have become more socially conscious about how the products they choose affect the environment, tea growers and workers.'

Locally founded in late 2003 and organically grown in Boulder, Colorado, the TeaSpot has redefined the modern tea experience. A woman-owned & operated company, the TeaSpot strives to enlighten consumers about the superior flavors and health benefits of loose-leaf teas. In developing exceptional products for everyday use, the goal is to combine a socially sustainable company through creating 'sensational steeping experiences.' A fusion of tea, technology and design: Steepware and Loose Leaves make for healthy, luxurious and responsible living. Choose well for your health, your body and your consciousness visit the-teaspot.com to contribute beyond yourself this holiday season.

Steepware combines the beauty of ancient tea traditions with modern design and innovation and makes the experience of preparing Loose Leaf teas convenient and fun. The TeaSpot's Steepware collection consists of six vibrant colors of the Steepin' Cup, a single cup ceramic steeping set, sold at Whole Foods Markets in the Western US, and sold as the "Teamate" at locations nationwide. This elegant and versatile tea steeper is entirely handcrafted in porcelain, and thus serves as the ideal culinary tea-steeping tool, never altering the taste or aroma of the tea. Teamate makes a fresh cup of tea for any occasion, and provides a beautiful accent to any place setting. TeaMaestro(TM), the world's first automatic teapot, will be the next addition to the Steepware collection, going into distribution in gourmet & natural foods stores in time for the holidays, along with the new Steepin'Mug and colorful precision TeaScoops.

Loose Leaves are full-leaf teas selected from the world's best estates, and hand-crafted using ageless customs - they are, quite simply, the finest blends ever tasted. The Loose Leaves line includes eight tea products, spanning the gamut from black, oolong, green and white, to herbal teas. They are packaged in air-tight tins, in vibrant colors that coordinate with and complement the Steepware products. Each tin provides information on the tea's origins, failsafe brewing instructions, suggested food pairings, as well as a cooking recipe. Loose Leaves are sold at all Wild Oats Markets nationwide and Whole Foods Markets throughout the Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, and Northern California; as well as at the TeaSpot flagship retail location in downtown Boulder and online at the-teaspot.com.