Is Murchie’s, a very old company based in Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (that’s Canada).
But I don’t know how much longer they will be in business.
A friend of mine told me , “Murchie’s has gone into receivership,” which basically means bankrupt. Follow the link to the story in the Globe and Mail.
There are lots of reasons an established business can die… but I hope that Murchie’s will continue to make and sell good quality tea for a while yet. I will start with some of the more compelling reasons for a new owner to keep it going: there are very few quality North American tea companies. Lipton’s teas are mass-produced (and very bitter); and most other tea companies in the U.S. are either strictly herbal or anemic when brewed… or highly overspiced if all you want is a nice soothing cup to take the chill off a rainy afternoon.
Murchie’s teas, though they don’t all appeal to me, are more refined — not anemic, but they also don’t grab you by the lapels and shake you. They have layers of interest, and lovely color. I highly recommend their teas (they do sell coffee, but I haven’t tried it).
Want to help out an OLD friend? Here is Murchie’s website. They ship all over the world!