Frequently Asked Questions
About the Teas
Where can I learn about other products from the Hain Celestial Group?
For a complete listing of the full range of natural and organic products available from the many Hain Celestial Group brands, please visit www.hain-celestial.com.
How do I make iced tea?
Each of our tea boxes includes detailed brewing instructions for that variety. For teas that are commonly enjoyed over ice, we include iced tea brewing instructions as well. Generally, preparing iced tea is as simple as using two tea bags, steeping in a heat-resistant container for the recommended amount of time, and pouring over ice.
Are your products Kosher?
Yes, each of our teas is certified Kosher. Information about Kosher certification can be found next to the Nutrition Facts panel on each package, as well as on each product's page on our website.
I've heard that I shouldn't add milk to teas that contain hibiscus. Is this true?
Yes. We do not recommend adding milk to teas with hibiscus. This is because hibiscus is quite acidic by nature and will likely cause the milk to curdle.
Do any of your teas contain gluten?
Yes. As of January 2024, two of our teas (Roastaroma and Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride) contain roasted barley, an ingredient that contains a form of gluten. For every box of tea that is gluten free, we utilize an independent third party certification, the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO) and their seal of verification will be featured on the packaging. If you have any questions about gluten, please connect with us and we'll be glad to help.
Do you list allergens on your packages?
Yes. We clearly label products that contain allergens such as soy, dairy, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and eggs as required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We also indicate which of our products are gluten free on the package. If you have any questions about allergens, please connect with us and we'll be glad to help.
What is soy lecithin?
Soy lecithin is a soy-based emulsifier used to keep ingredients from separating. As of August 2015, we have removed soy from nearly all of our tea formulas. Please check each product’s detail page for the latest nutrition information. If you have any questions about soy lecithin, please connect with us.
What are natural flavors?
In addition to natural herbs, teas, spices and botanicals, some of our teas use natural flavors to achieve their unique tastes. The natural flavors we use are derived from real ingredients and do not contain artificial or synthetic additives. Please contact us if you have a specific question or concern about natural flavors.
Do your teas contain caffeine?
Celestial Seasonings offers teas that are naturally caffeine-free, like our herbal teas, and green and black teas that are either caffeinated or decaffeinated. On the product detail pages, look for the Caffeine Meter below the ingredients list for the total milligrams of caffeine in each tea.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants can help protect cells in your body by neutralizing the damaging effects of molecules called “free radicals.” Vitamin C is most often recognized as having antioxidant qualities. Green tea (and white tea) naturally contains a special type of antioxidant called “flavonoids” that may account for green tea's reported health benefits.
Where do you show Nutrition Facts and Ingredient Lists on your website?
Each of our more than 100 varieties has its own product pages on our website. On these product pages, you'll find important information like Nutrition Facts, Ingredient Lists, Kosher certification, soy and gluten status, and much more. A great example of a product listing is our Black Cherry Berry Herbal Tea.
What are the differences between green, black, white and herbal teas?
Green, black and white teas are all made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The way tea leaves are processed after they are picked determines the type of tea they become. or Green tea is gently steamed or pan-fired immediately after harvest to preserve its bright green color and fresh taste. White tea is made from very young tea leaves and buds that are minimally processed after picking. Black tea is allowed to oxidize slightly before being dried to bring out a bolder, richer flavor. Herbal teas contain no Camellia sinensis leaves at all. Their flavor comes from a combination of herbs, spices, botanicals and natural flavors. Since they contain no tea leaves, herbal teas are naturally caffeine free. Oolong tea is a classic variety that’s partially oxidized. It has characteristics of both green and black teas but is still very much a unique brew.
Where do your ingredients come from?
We purchase more than 100 natural herbs, teas, spices and botanicals from over 35 countries—from Egyptian chamomile to Oregon peppermint, and everything in between. In accordance with our Blended With Care: From Seed to Sip philosophy, we purchase the majority of our ingredients directly from the farmers and communities that grow them.
Finding, Buying and Ordering Teas
I still can't find my favorite tea. What's going on?
If you cannot find a particular variety through our website, it's possible that it's temporarily out of stock or has been discontinued. You'll find a list of recently discontinued teas here. If you have questions about a specific product, connect with us.
Are your products available internationally?
Yes. Celestial Seasonings teas are available in many countries. If you're outside the United States and Canada, please connect with us and provide with your location and products of interest. We'll let you know if the products are available in your area. You can also see a list of our international distributors.
Can I buy your products in Canada?
Yes. Our products are widely available in Canada. Please visit our Canadian website for more information, or connect with us for a list of stores in your area.
How do I order Celestial Seasonings teas in K-Cup portion packs for my Keurig brewer?
To purchase K-Cup portion packs, please visit our friends at Keurig. You'll be able to purchase every variety of Celestial Seasonings K-Cup available, including our hot teas and specially formulated Iced Teas.
How do I check the status of my online order?
For questions regarding your order, please contact our Online Store Customer Service, or call 1-866-972-6879 (toll free) from Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time.
Where can I find my favorite Celestial Seasonings teas?
To find our products at a retailer near you, please visit our store locator. Customers in the United States can also purchase any of our teas by visiting our Online Store.
If you're having trouble finding your flavor, please connect with us and we'll be glad to help.
About Our Packaging
Should I use a product after the “Best By” date?
The “Best By” date codes on our packages indicate the end of a particular box's shelf life. While we cannot guarantee that a tea meets our standards for taste after the “Best By” date, it is perfectly safe to drink when it is past expiration.
How do I read the “Best By” date code on your box?
In the United States and most of the world, our date codes show the day, month and year (in order) of the end of that box's shelf life. For example, “09FEB15” is February 9, 2015. In Canada, however, date codes are usually listed as year, month, and day (in order)—so “13MA11” is May 11, 2013.
Are your boxes recyclable?
Yes. Our boxes are made from 100% recyclable materials and can be recycled again once you've enjoyed all of the tea.
Why don't your tea bags have strings and tags?
We've always felt that strings and tags on tea bags only do one thing—produce unnecessary waste. So we choose to use a unique pillow-style tea bag that doesn't need a string, tag, staple or individual wrapper—and as a result, we save 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills every year.
About Celestial Seasonings
How do I apply for a donation, contribution, or sponsorship from Celestial Seasonings?
Please see our Giving Back for more information about charitable contributions and sponsorships.
How do I apply to work at Celestial Seasonings and the Hain Celestial Group?
You can visit the Hain Celestial Group's employment page for an up-to-date listing of job opportunities here in Boulder CO and around the world.
Can I suggest a new tea flavor or product idea?
Absolutely. Some of our favorite teas were originally suggested by our fans. You can connect with us and submit your idea. Please note that we cannot offer compensation for ideas submitted in this manner.
Do you offer tours of your production facility?
Yes. We conduct tours of our Boulder, Colorado facility almost every day of the year. For more information, please visit our Tour Center page.
Small Business and Foodservice Questions
I own a small business. How can I order products or request samples for my store?
The best way to order our teas for your restaurant, small business or other organization is through your regular foodservice distributor.
If you don't currently have a distributor that carries Celestial Seasonings teas, please connect with us with your complete contact information. A Sales Representative will contact you shortly. We also invite you to order directly from the Foodservice section of our online store.
Certified Organic Teas and Fair Trade Certified Teas
Why are these teas only available at Whole Foods Market?
We partnered with Whole Foods Markets to create a line of teas that will appeal to both long-time Celestial Seasonings fans and Whole Foods customers.
I recently saw your Organic Fair Trade Certified Teas at Whole Foods. What are the main benefits of sourcing tea from Estates?
Our tea estates consistently produce high-quality products with recognizable taste profiles from harvest to harvest. By purchasing tea leaves directly from some of the world’s best tea estates, our Master Blenders are able to produce thoughtfully balanced blends that deliver a consistently delicious taste with every cup.
In addition, working directly with tea estates for our Organic Fair Trade Certified teas allows for total transparency from field to finished product. We’ve carefully selected estates that are known as much for their sustainable agricultural practices as for the taste and quality of the teas they produce.
What’s the difference between your regular teas and your Fair Trade Certified teas?
Long before Fair Trade certification existed, Celestial Seasonings purchased our most important botanical ingredients directly from the farmers. Today, we refer to this process as “Blended With Care From Seed to Sip.” By going straight to the source, we ensure that the agricultural communities that grow our ingredients keep more of the benefits from their labor.
In addition, “Blended With Care” promises a reliable, consistent source of ingredients that meet our high standards for purity and quality.
Today, some consumers prefer products that are Fair Trade Certified by a third party. We’re happy to give these consumers additional options in the tea aisle.
What are the main benefits of Fair Trade Certified teas?
Fair Trade Certified means that an independent third-party (in this case, Fair Trade USA) has confirmed that the farmers and workers that produce the ingredients for these teas have been fairly compensated for their work. It also certifies that our farmers and their families work and live in acceptable conditions and have sufficient community resources to continue to enrich their lives and improve their standard of living.
For more information about Fair Trade Certification, please visit www.fairtrade.org.
Will you be making more organic teas (and fewer non-organic teas) in the future?
If demand for our Certified Organic teas remains strong, we would certainly consider adding additional organic varieties in the future.
Are your conventional teas made with lower quality ingredients?
All Celestial Seasonings teas are made with real ingredients and do not contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. We source more than 100 of the finest botanical ingredients from over 35 countries, and we buy ingredients directly from farming communities whenever possible. For these reasons, we’re confident that all of our ingredients (Certified Organic or otherwise) meet our high standards for purity and quality.
It’s worth noting that Certified Organic does not guarantee flavor quality, as the certifying agencies do not evaluate and taste the teas as part of their review. Every Celestial Seasonings tea (made with Certified Organic ingredients or otherwise) delivers the outstanding taste experience tea fans expect from us.
Why are only some of your teas organic?
Tea drinkers are increasingly interested in Certified Organic tea options. While all Celestial Seasonings teas are free from artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, some consumers prefer to purchase products that are Certified Organic.
What are the main benefits of Certified Organic teas?
Certified Organic means that an independent third party (in this case, Quality Assurance International, or QAI) has certified that our ingredients were grown according to USDA Organic standards. These standards cover the product from farm to table, including soil and water quality, pest control and rules for food additives.
For more information about Organic Certification, please visit the USDA portal or Quality Assurance International website