Tea Chest Hawaii pioneered sales of gourmet tea in Hawaii since opening in 1995. At the time, there wasn't a company in the state serving the needs of the hospitality industry for tea on a full time basis. The Tea Chest revolutionized product availability, equipment support, education and service. In 2004 the firm's Original Blend Nilgiri Iced Tea was selected Best Iced Tea in America in the first national tea tasting competition sponsored by the US Tea Association. The company has been recognized for using organic certified, natural and sustainable ingredients. It works with local farmers to cultivate and process local ingredients to create products that distinctly represent Hawaii which are served by distinguished establishments like Alan Wong's Restaurant, Halekulani Hotel, The Westin Moana, The Four Season Resorts, Mauna Kea Beach Resort and The Prince Hotel Waikiki. The company has been featured nationally in Gourmet Magazine, Business Week, CNN and Hawaii Magazine.