David Rio Fine Teas

In 1996, David Rio of San Francisco, CA began marketing a line of specialty tea, coffee and accessories through an all-Japanese language catalog to Japan. Initially, they planned to market their "Elephant Vanilla" chai in Japan only, but soon after its release, domestic demand from both individuals and wholesalers led them to offer David Rio Chai in the US as well. From its success, "Tiger Spice" and "Tortoise Green Tea" chai followed.

What started as one of many items which had one square inch of space in a Japanese language catalog turned into the country’s premier chai brand which is available in cafes, restaurants, and specialty food stores across the US and is quickly picking up steam in other countries around the world.

David Rio also offers a line of distinctive, fine loose leaf teas which focus on green teas and unique Japanese teas. Within only a few months of its introduction, the line captured two awards including first place in the American Tasting Institutes category award for best loose-leaf tea and the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) first place award for best packaging and presentation at its 1999 annual convention.

Whitefish Group is the exclusive agent and distributor for David Rio Fine Teas in Canada.