Newman's Own Organic Royal Black Tea, 100 Count

Newman's Own gives 100 percent of its profits and royalties to the Newman's Own Foundation, which directs that money to charitable causes with a focus on children facing adversity. Paul Newman set the model up in 1982 and it has run the same way ever since, summed up on the packaging as let's give it all away. A box of this tea feeds into that same stream.

The Newman's Own Foundation reports more than 600 million dollars generated for charity since 1982. Packaging and retail listings often cite older milestones such as over 200 million or over 400 million, because the figure printed reflects when that production run was made. The foundation's own site carries the current running total.

The certifications printed on the carton are USDA Organic, certified by Quality Assurance International, and kosher. Fair Trade marks can vary between production runs and between the estates that supplied a given lot, so the box in hand is the reliable place to look for that seal. If Fair Trade sourcing is a firm requirement for you, check the carton for the certifier's logo.

USDA Organic certification means the tea was grown and handled under the USDA National Organic Program rules, which govern what may be applied in the fields and how the crop is processed and documented. Quality Assurance International is the independent certifier that audits Newman's Own against that standard. Its mark appears on the box alongside the USDA seal.

Newman's Own describes the leaf as coming from organic estates in India and Africa. That combination is what gives the blend its dark color and brisk body rather than the lighter character of a single origin Ceylon. The Royal name refers to that fuller, everyday strength.

It is a plain black blend built for strength, described by the brand as rich in color with a bold, crisp taste. It behaves like a breakfast style tea, which is why it takes milk and sugar well and stands up to a long steep. Think of it as the daily workhorse cup rather than a flavored specialty blend.

The directions call for one bag in 8 ounces of boiling water for three to five minutes, and the brand notes that five minutes brings out the fullest flavor. Going much past five minutes pulls more tannin and dries the cup out. Covering the mug while it steeps keeps the water temperature up.

Use three to five bags per quart, steep three to five minutes in hot water, then chill. Lean to the higher end if you plan to serve it over a lot of ice, since the melt dilutes it. Because it is a plain black tea it makes a clean base for lemon, mint or a simple syrup.

Yes, this is a full caffeine black tea and the box states that it contains caffeine. A cup of black tea generally falls somewhere around 30 to 60 milligrams per 8 ounces, depending on water temperature and steep time. A longer steep pulls more caffeine into the cup.

Yes, all 100 bags come individually wrapped with a string and tag. That is part of why this size works for offices and for households that only drink a cup or two a day. The wrapping also keeps the bags from picking up aromas when the box shares a cupboard with coffee or spices.

They are the same company today. Nell Newman started Newman's Own Organics as a division in 1993, it operated independently for roughly a decade, and it came back under Newman's Own when the licensing agreement ended in 2014. Products carrying the Organics name follow the same give it all away profit model.

Yes, Royal Black Tea carries kosher certification alongside its USDA Organic certification, and both marks are printed on the carton. Retail and food service listings for the 100 count box both note the kosher status. If your household follows a specific certifying agency, check the symbol on the box itself.