In May 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 U.S. as well.  David Rio continued by offering several chai blends and continued in the tradition of naming each chai after endangered species. They strive to create innovative, great tasting products that blend eastern traditions with western style. Whenever possible, they use organic ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging while maintaining the integrity of our high-end product line. Their objective is to continue growing David Rio as the premier brand in the industry.