About Carmién Tea
Who We Are
Carmién Tea’s story started in 1998 in an old farm shop on the historic Brakfontein Estate near the small town of Citrusdal. Located on the foothills of the Western Cape’s splendid Cederberg Mountains, the farm falls within the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor.
The founder and now managing director, Mientjie Mouton grew up on a rooibos producing farm just a little higher up in the same valley before moving to Brakfontein Estate where rooibos was also produced. She saw great potential in the product rooibos and today the Carmién brand tells this story.
The deregulation of the Rooibos industry in 1993, enabled Carmién Tea to establish itself as producer, supplier and exporter of quality Rooibos tea products directly from the farm in South Africa. The company is not only a successful brand with a wide variety of rooibos-based teas, but also a successful bulk tea exporter and private label packer to many countries around the globe.
Carmién Tea secures the best quality organic and conventional Rooibos from prime growing areas such as Piekenierskloof, Nieuwoudtville, Wupperthal and Gifberg. The Carmién Rooibos range is available in organic (bio) and/or regular (conventional) products and is produced on Fairtrade principles.
The History of Carmién Tea
1993
Rooibos is deregulated in South Africa
1998
- The first Carmién retail pack is designed.
- The first Carmién packed product is sold in Spar, Citrusdal.
- One of South Africa's largest retailers, Pick n Pay, lists Carmién Tea.
2001
- Carmién Tea (Pty) Ltd is registered by Mientjie Mouton.
- Carmién Tea enters the international market with the export of bulk rooibos to the Netherlands.
2006
- Carmién achieves its first major international retail listing with Costco Taiwan.
- Bergendal Rooibos (Pty) Ltd was established as the exclusive processing and packing factory of Carmién rooibos with 50% shareholding by farmworkers.
2012
- Carmién receives its first export order from Costco Japan.
- The first teabag packing machines arrive at the Bergendal Rooibos factory.
2014
Rooibos was granted geographical indication (GI) status in the EU, making it the first South African product other than wine and spirits to receive the award.
2015
The Carmién Tea online store is launched in South Africa, allowing customers to buy rooibos tea online.
2017
A green rooibos processing facility is established at Bergendal Rooibos, expanding the range of products offered by Carmién Tea.
2018
Carmién launches two distinctive rooibos distilled gins.
2019
- Carmién acquires its first pyramid teabag packing machine.
- The world’s first industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement was launched in South Africa between the Khoikhoi and San, and the South African rooibos industry.
2020
- The South African government announced a national lockdown on 27 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Carmién closes its Cape Town office due to lockdown.
- The Carmién Tea Shop was opened at De Tol Farm Deli.
- Carmién hosts the first annual Rooibos2Muisbos mountain bike event.
2021
Rooibos becomes the first African food to receive the status of geographical indication (GIs), Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, granting it the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
2022
- The national state of disaster due to COVID is terminated, and all lockdown levels are lifted on 4 April.
- Carmién receives two Floral Berry and Revive blends awards at the Dubai International Taste Awards.
- Carmién receives one award for the Nursing blend at the Agency for Valorization of Agricultural Products (AVPA) Awards.
2023
- Carmién receives three awards at the Mediterranean Taste Awards for its Nursing, Cranberry Hibiscus Cold Brew, and Earl Grey blends.
- Carmién receives three awards for the Focus, Orange Chamomile and LMC Rose & Vanilla blends at the Agency for Valorization of Agricultural Products (AVPA) Awards.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Carmién is committed to the continual growth and empowerment of our workers and local communities. Our partnerships with Bergendal Worker Trust and the Mouton Workers Trust ensure that 650+ workers with 5,000+ dependents have a shareholding in any Carmién Tea product.
