Eats and Beats: a visit with Celestial Seasonings blendmaster Charlie Baden

Celestial Seasonings was a forerunner in the now-crowded herbal tea space, but enduring numerous changes in its ownership and the marketplace,  is Charlie Baden, blendmaster.  As the brand returns to its classic, artsy packaging, Baden talked with Steve Chavis from “First Take with Lando and Chavis.”

 

“They (consumers) would look on the shelf, and be looking right at our tea and not see it,” explained Baden.  The artwork and metaphysical quotes are back on the boxes. 

 

As blendmaster, Baden is responsible for ensuring that the Celestial Seasonings standard of tea is upheld with every batch.  ”On a weekly basis, I have to produce about 200,000 pounds of tea that matches the gold-standard of our Sleepytime, Red Zinger (and other brands).”  

 

Images and descriptions of all the newly designed Celestial Seasonings boxes are posted here.

 

In the audio interview posted below, Baden describes his global quest for the perfect taste profiles, why they package tea bags with no string, and he reveals his personal tea (and coffee) drinking habits.

 

Music on this feature is by noted Denver pianist, Louise Duncan, “Tea for Two,” is on the album “The Two Sides of Louise Duncan.”