Organic foods and drinks are becoming increasingly popular, and tea is no exception. Organic teas be can be purchased in most places that sell tea, but shopping online is the surest way to make sure that you get best selection at the best prices.

Organic tea is grown without the use of any fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, natural methods are used to help the crops. For instance, compost and a layer of mulch are added to the soil, which provide extra nutrients for the crops.

There is a downside to growing organic, however: The process requires more labor and can result in smaller crops. For this reason, most farmers choose to not grow organic, in fear of losing money. Those who do tend to charge more for their product. This is why organic tea is generally more expensive than non-organic.

That being said, there are many benefits to buying organic. Growing organic is generally considered to produce a superior quality of tea. Major tea competitions, which have been held in Japan, China, and Taiwan, time and again select organic teas as the best of their class–based only on the taste, smell, and color of the teas, oblivious to the fact they were grown organic.

In addition to tasting better, organic teas are also healthier. Organic teas have antioxidants, such as catechins and polyphenols, which provide many health benefits. And studies have shown that these antioxidants are more plentiful in quality organic tea.

Another perk of organic tea is that it is also better for the tea farmer. Did you know that tea plants sometimes survive for more than a hundred years? Of course, healthy plants will last the longest, and in turn provide the most tea. Growing organic crops is the best way to maintain healthy crops–crops that will live the longest, that will live the healthiest lives. The organic farmer reaps the rewards, and is able to save money on not having to replace tea plants.

As for you, the consumer, make sure the organic tea you’re buying is really organic. There are several agencies that certify teas as being organic or otherwise, so you need to be careful–you need to be informed. Some of the bigger organizations are the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM). They observe the plantations themselves, guaranteeing that the teas are, in fact, organic. Look out for these labels, which are a sure sign that you’re getting what you’re paying for, and nothing less. A bit of research should also turn up other respectable agencies, and the contrary. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which ones you trust.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, enjoy your organic tea! You have all of the same options when shopping online as you do at retail: organic chai tea, organic early grey tea, organic black tea, organic green tea, organic blackberry tea, etc. Whatever your preference, consider the “organic” label a seal of quality. Just make sure it’s a seal that you can trust. If the tea isn’t great, then it’s probably not organic. Settle for only the best.