Boulder , Colorado is the home to the tea company "Celestial Seasonings". They give tours, have a decent cafe on site, offer lots of free tea to try out and have a well stocked gift shop selling all of their offerings.
The folks that started the company have grown it from a small start in a garage in which herbs were sifted thru old window screens to a multi million dollar business today.
They created herbal infusion products that are marketed as 'teas' as this is a concept the buying public understands. Each of the products had original and beautiful artwork created for the packaging.
They give out bags of tea as your ticket for the tour. Each different tour time is tracked by a different flavor of tea.
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| This is the entrance to their gift shop which is full of all of their product offerings. |
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| This is where the tour starts |
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| If you walk around the back you'll find the Celestial Cafe - food is pretty good and served by friendly people |
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| I liked their logo in the chair backs |
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| Urns of various flavored teas are available to sample. Every tea they offer is available to try if you request it be brewed for you while you wait for the tour. |
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| Example of original artwork |
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| They also have examples of clever tea pots on display |
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| The history and timeline of the company is shown just outside the theater - they have quite the story of long haired 'hippie' types trying to sell bags of ground up herbs to a doubting public and how their marketing efforts overcame the perception of what might be in those bags. |
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| Just before the tour they show you dresses made of tea bags |
Photography is not allowed on the tour due to proprietary equipment being used on the factory floor. The tour is especially interesting for not only do you SEE lots of interesting manufacturing technology, but you SMELL wonderful fragrances from all of the spices and teas that make up their product. The Mint room is truly memorable.
If you find yourself in Denver the trip to Boulder is worth your time.
