Carmién Pure Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free tea, grown and packed with care. Behind every cup is a clear set of sustainable practices that focus on the environment, fair treatment of people, and product transparency. Our approach follows international standards for responsible sourcing.
Grown Locally
Our rooibos is grown across the region, with our core producer shareholders based in the Citrusdal-Piekenierskloof region. This is the only place where rooibos grows naturally. We farm using sustainable methods, without artificial irrigation. Rooibos is a dryland crop that depends on rainfall, helping us conserve water.
Over 50% of the farm is kept wild to protect natural ecosystems. We dry the tea in the sun and use solar power in our processing facilities to keep energy use low.
50% Worker Ownership
Bergendal Rooibos, Carmién tea’s exclusive processor and packing facility, is 50% owned by farmworkers through the Bergendal Worker Trust. This shared ownership model ensures fair economic participation and helps build long-term stability for workers and their families.
Certified and Audited
Carmién has Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Organic certifications, confirming our support for biodiversity, fair worker treatment, and responsible farming.
We are regularly audited by independent bodies to maintain these certifications and keep improving our standards.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Our Carmién Pure Organic Rooibos packaging is designed to reduce waste and avoid plastic:
- Teabags are made from PLA or Bioweb, both derived from renewable sources such as cornstarch and sugarcane. These materials are fully compostable and plastic-free.
- Retail and outer cartons are both recyclable and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means new trees are planted to replace those used.
- Inks and glues used in our packaging are safe, food-grade, and non-toxic.
Traceable from Farm to Cup
We produce around 20% of Carmién rooibos, source from credible farmers, and process, and pack rooibos ourselves. This gives us full traceability and control over quality. We work only with trusted partners who meet our ethical sourcing standards for ingredients used in our wellness and flavoured ranges.
Why This Matters
For customers, choosing Carmién Pure Rooibos means enjoying a clean, honest tea that supports responsible farming and community development.
For buyers and retailers, it means working with a supplier who offers certified, traceable rooibos from a vertically integrated, socially responsible source.
Aligned with Sustainable Sourcing Principles
- Environmental Impact: Organic and sustainable conventional farming, solar energy, wildland preservation, low water use.
- Social Responsibility: Investment in education and health care through the Mouton Foundation.
- 50% Worker Ownership: Carmién Tea’s rooibos is processed at Bergendal Rooibos, a facility that is 50% owned by farm workers. This means workers directly benefit from the success of the products they help create.
- Wider Impact: Through our partnerships with Bergendal Worker Trust and Mouton Workers Trust, more than 650 workers and around 5,000 of their dependents have a stake in Carmién Tea. This approach supports broad-based economic participation in the rooibos industry.
- Traceability: From Crop to Cup, any pack of Carmién Rooibos can be traced back to a specific rooibos field and crop.
- Supplier Relationships: Over 20% of Carmién’s rooibos is grown by our producer-shareholders. The rest is sourced from carefully selected farms across the rooibos region to capture the best natural qualities from each area. Our quality team supports all suppliers with certification and ensures sustainable farming practices are in place.
- Certifications: Organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance.
- Eco-Packaging: Plastic-free teabags, recyclable boxes, FSC-certified paper, and compostable materials.
- Ongoing Improvement: Carmién’s in-house product development team ensures each batch meets our high-quality standards, focusing on superior taste, flavour, and aroma. Regular audits, carbon footprint tracking, and continuous packaging innovation support our commitment to excellence and sustainability.
Growing Goodness
Carmién Pure Organic Rooibos is more than a quality tea. It is a product of responsible farming, fair partnerships, and a supply chain built on transparency. From seed to cup, every step reflects our commitment to doing better for people and the planet.