About us - Teas Etc

Beth Johnston, a mental health professional, underwent a life changing experience on her honeymoon in 1998 and no one could have for seen what was on the road ahead. On a ski trip in the mountains of Colorado Beth had a terrific cup of Mango Ceylon tea. Being a native of South Florida, Beth was never a tea drinker but was really hooked on the new brew. Determined to find the source for this delicious tea, she and her husband, Newman, found themselves in a warehouse filled with loose-leaf tea and an enthusiastic Brit. Excited about the whole "tea" experience the new bride announced to everyone that she was going back to Florida to open a tea company.

Consumer's misconceptions, the lack of credible information, the need for quality tea in her market and her enthusiasm to immerse herself in her newly found passion immediately began to define the company objectives. Eager to learn everything she could about tea her passion quickly grew and continues to drive her ongoing quest for knowledge still today. Johnston has realized that it would take three lifetimes to know all there is too tea.

Sourcing and providing high quality loose leaf teas at a fair price dictated the need to work directly with growers. Directly importing from China, Japan, India and Sri Lanka affords Teas Etc the opportunity to import rare, limited harvest teas and teas created to meet the specific taste requirements of the company.

Beth can easily be described as enthusiastic about tea. This is never more apparent then when she is sharing her excitement and knowledge with an audience. She has been a featured speaker at hundreds of events and holds both public and private workshops on an array of tea topics. Her animated speaking style, interactive presentations and expertise has made her a highly sought after speaker.

Questioning many of the attitudes and long time "beliefs" associated with tea, along with her desire to share factual information has lead to Beth's monthly newsletter, BLOG and numerous tea articles. She has been published or quoted in; Fresh Cup Magazine, The Palm Beach Post, India Daily, Tea Experience Digest, Boca Magazine, The Miami Herald, The Naples Times, Gainesville Sun, Specialty Food News, and The Palm Beach Daily News among others.

Beth has also been featured in news segments on Post Cards from Paradise ( WPEC - NBC Affiliate), South Florida Extra (WXEL-PBS Affiliate) and Bloomin' In The Garden (Independent TV Production).

The main goal continues to be simplifying and enhancing the tea experience for everyone. That is accomplished by maintaining our commitment to quality at a fair price. Just as important is consumer education which not only benefits consumers but the industry as a whole. Furthering tea in the US is the critical to the success of every tea vendor in the country and the responsibility of us as a collective group and individually especially those who realize financial gain from tea. The only way to achieve this lofty goal is to work together as an industry to and can only be achieved by supporting industry organizations, quality products, fair prices and consumer education is the ongoing mission of Beth and Teas Etc.