Press Releases

TRADITIONAL HERBAL WISDOM GOES MAINSTREAM AT THE HERBAL CAFE®

The herbal cafe® delivers freshly made
herbal teas, green teas, tea accessories and products
for today’s health conscious lifestyle via the Internet.

Walnut Creek, California, 09/01/00

www.herbalcafe.com goes live with its online menu of gourmet loose-leaf herbal teas, green teas, tea accessories and carefully selected herbal products. The herbal cafe’s in-house herbalists developed the tea line, emphasizing ORGANIC and grown without chemicals. All of the teas are blended in small batches for freshness and flavor. The herbal cafe also carries premium herbal supplements and tinctures that are less familiar to the herb-buying public, but recommended highly by experienced herbalists.

Tea drinking has exploded in the last decade, doubling since 1990 to over $4 billion sales a year (Time Magazine, Dec. 1999.) Some analysts estimate that the entire market for health-oriented foods and beverages worldwide will top $200 billion in the next ten years (Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, June 2000.) 40%+ Americans have already turned to alternative therapies, including herbs. Many who haven’t tried them yet say they will (study by Market Facts for Celestial Seasonings, 1998.)

"It seems like the perfect time to marry the increased interest in drinking tea with Americans’ desire for better health. The herbal cafe was created to meet the needs of consumers interested in herbal products but who may have never felt connected to the way they were marketed. Our goal with the herbal cafe is to make it fun to learn about and try herbs in one of the easiest and most popular ways to use them – tea," says founder/proprietor, Laurie Clemans, AHG.

The herbal cafe menu includes loose-leaf teas like Full Capacity™, Safe Passage™ and Genmaicha Green Tea. The herbal cafe sells fill-yourself, bio-degradable tea bags, tea balls and baskets and offers a selection of tinctures (herbal drops added to water) including Herbalist and Alchemist’s™ Black Cloud™ and Ultimate Echinacea™. The herbal cafe also carries premium-quality whole food supplements providing nutrition from nourishing sources: flaxseed, barley grass, seaweed, blue green algae, shiitaki mushrooms and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Teas are packed in colorful Chinese pint and quart take-out boxes or bulk –by the pound. Each tea comes with its own fortune. Prices range from $6 to $36.

Visitors to www.herbalcafe.com can not only purchase things from the site, but can also gain information. They can check out the Herbapedia for descriptions of individual herbs, take a One-Minute Health History test, try meditations in Rituals and Traditions and visit Fresh Today to check out the recent herb arrivals from ORGANIC farms.

###

The herbal cafe® offers a complete menu of freshly packed loose-leaf herbal teas, green teas and exceptional herb products, including tinctures and whole food supplements. Emphasizing herbs that are ORGANICally grown and wild harvested, teas from the herbal cafe are formulated by professional clinical herbalists to help revitalize and maintain health and well-being.

###

The herbal cafe, Full Capacity and Safe Passage are trademarks of Clemans & Company, LLC. All other company, product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Company Contact
Laurie Clemans, AHG
The herbal cafe
President
Professional Clinical Herbalist

925 938 9505

---

An Innovative Tea Sommelier Program, developed by the Herbal Cafe tea company, debuts at Navio, the signature restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Half Moon Bay, Calif., October 20, 2002

Ritz-Carlton, With the old-world tradition of Afternoon Tea becoming a new trend, Navio, the signature restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, offers guests the opportunity to indulge in the tea ritual every evening, with an upgraded twist.

The innovative Tea Sommelier Program will present guests with fully trained tea experts to present and recommend appropriate tea varieties to pair at the conclusion of their meal. These specialists aid guests in creating the perfect “tea flight” of four varieties to complement their dining experience. Guests will be presented with a special tea menu featuring 24 varieties carefully created by the Bay Area’s Herbal Cafe Tea Company. Visitors will select a flight of four teas, or a single variety, to enjoy at their table. Teas include Carob Divinity, reminiscent of chocolate; this variety can assist the immune system. Another popular type is Geisha’s Passion, which has flavors of mimosa, said to be an ancient aphrodisiac.

Much like wine, tea is a traditional, carefully blended beverage that varies from season to season. The herbs and teas are picked at the height of the harvest and then blended for visual effect, full flavor and harmony with nature. The teas come from a network of dedicated organic farmers, tea gardens and estates in the United States, India and the Orient for the most scarlet hibiscus, the most fragrant lemongrass, the most delicate dragon pearls, the most potent pau d’arco and the most exotic mimosa flowers.

While this ancient art of cultivating superior teas has been largely lost in our modern mass-market society, The Herbal Cafe collection includes many organic and wild-crafted herbs, spices and flowers to enlighten the senses. Navio is the perfect venue for promoting the enjoyment and art of tea. The restaurant is lead by Chef de Cuisine Peter Rudolph who creates a captivating menu of coastal cuisine daily using the freshest local fare. In the restaurant’s warm and intimate atmosphere, guests can enjoy picturesque coastal views from floor-to-ceiling windows, while talented chefs put on a show in the spectacular 1000-square-foot display kitchen.

In addition to the Navio tea service, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay has several other tea offerings.

Afternoon Tea
Offered in The Salon, devoted solely to tea service, Afternoon Tea takes place daily from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for $23 to $38 per person. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has offered Afternoon Tea from its conception. With the most stunning Pacific Ocean views, the service offers 14 varieties that represent all major styles and growing areas of the world. Varieties include traditional favorites such as Earl Grey tea, specialties like Japanese Green Tea Whole Leaf “Imperial Gunpowder” tea and uncommon varieties such as “Special Rare” Darjeeling, Margaret’s Hope Estate tea. Three tea services are offered, with selections of traditional finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and English teacakes served on London’s Wedgwood Tapestry china.

Creating a New Tradition
Navio Presents an Innovative Tea Sommelier Program

Teddy Bear Tea
Around the world The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company celebrates the holidays with Teddy Bear Tea. Throughout December, Half Moon Bay joins in this tradition. Children of all ages treat their teddy bears and gather for a festive afternoon of classic holiday tales, “tea” of hot cocoa, children’s mini-finger sandwiches and assorted cookies. Reservations required.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is situated on a scenic bluff overlooking the rugged Pacific coastline and is located just than 45 minutes from San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay features deluxe accommodations, two championship golf courses and a 16,000-square-foot Spa and is the first oceanfront, five star caliber property to open in Northern California in more than a decade.

Reservations can be taken for Navio by calling (650) 712-7040 or online at www.opentable.com.

# # #