Carmién Tea supplies Organic Rooibos tea, which means "Red Bush" in Afrikaans, directly from the farm in South Africa, where we are based in the unique region, which is the only place in the world where rooibos tea can be grown. This offers our customers full traceability from cup to crop.
Carmién Tea offers our full commitment to sustainable farming, job creation, and improving the lives of farm workers who are also shareholders of our rooibos factory. With our feet on the ground, we are committed to producing and processing high-quality products that meet international food safety regulations, with a special focus on flavour and taste.
We not only aim to offer clients more than a cup of tea, but a unique rooibos experience that supports a healthy lifestyle.
Our Vision
To be the preferred sustainable rooibos supplier, guided by a commitment to people, planet, and quality. We build long‑term partnerships through service, a focused product range, and transparent sourcing from crop to cup.
Working With a Sustainable Suppler
- Direct from origin: Grown, processed, blended, and packed within our controlled supply chain for full traceability.
- Certified & audited: Organic and Fairtrade certified; BRCGS food‑safety certified facility; alignment with Rainforest Alliance, and FSC, where applicable.
- Supplier partnerships: We collaborate with shareholder‑producers and contracted farms via agronomic support, fair pricing frameworks, and multi‑year offtake to encourage regenerative practices and long‑term soil health.
- Responsible sourcing: Documented quality specs, batch‑level traceability, and export/market compliance packs (incl. organic/Fairtrade paperwork).
- Community impact: Ongoing Early Childhood Development, after‑school care and skills programmes supporting our farming communities.
In May 2021, Rooibos became the first African food to receive the status of a geographical indication (GI), as per Regulation (EU) No. 1151/2012, thereby granting it the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Sixteen regions within the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa are the only regions where Rooibos can be grown and labelled as Rooibos Tea. Our Carmién Rooibos tea farms are located across these areas, and together with our long-term contracted producers, we are assured of obtaining Rooibos from all the specified regions.
The Carmién tagline 'Growing Goodness' refers to the commitment to consistently deliver a product that is of the highest quality and exceeds the expectations of our clients across the globe. The entire process from growing the product in the fields to developing the best taste and flavour is all controlled by strict processes and measures. To maintain consistent quality and optimal flavour, we adhere to international certifications and undergo regular audits by these certification bodies, including USDA Organic.
Health Benefits
- Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free (unlike black & green tea).
- Kilojoule and preservative-free , and supports weight-loss.
- Reduces high blood sugar levels, preventing type 2 diabetes.
- Has proven cancer-fighting properties in animal research studies.
- Rooibos is a good source of antioxidants and is the only known source of a potent antioxidant, aspalathin, which could play a role in combating several lifestyle diseases. These antioxidants bind with free radicals to lower oxidative stress, fighting cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Alleviates allergies - asthma, hay fever, eczema.
- Low in tannin and doesn't interfere with iron absorption.
- Excellent for hyperactive children, babies from 6 months old can consume rooibos tea.
- A naturally relaxing drink at night to assist with a good night's sleep as it is soothing to the nervous system.
- Stomach and indigestion problems like nausea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach ulcers, and constipation are relieved by drinking black rooibos tea
- Anti-spasmodic and alleviates colic and stomach cramps in babies.
- It has a soothing effect on the skin and relieves itching and certain skin irritations like eczema, nappy rash and acne when directly applied to the affected area.
- Rich in polyphenols (incl. aspalathin, nothofagin) that help counter oxidative stress.
- Cardiovascular support: Evidence of lipid profile improvements and support for blood‑pressure management.
- Blood‑sugar balance: Aspalathin is linked to improved glucose handling and insulin sensitivity.
- Stress modulation: Rooibos compounds have been shown to influence cortisol in lab models.
- Skin support: Used in topical products; the infusion is soothing when applied to irritated skin.
- Green Rooibos option: Higher polyphenol content; popular in wellness and skincare formulations.
Industries We Serve
- Food & Beverage manufacturers: RTD tea, concentrates, kombucha, syrups, bakery, confectionery.
- Nutraceutical & wellness: Capsules, powders, functional blends, wellness retail.
- Cosmetics & personal care: Skincare, dermocosmetics, extracts, and infusions.
- Hospitality & foodservice: Hotels, lodges, cafés, corporate catering, airlines, travel retail, and wellness outlets.
- Retail & private label: Supermarkets, specialty tea, health chains, and distributors.
Recipes
Our Organic Rooibos has a delicate balance of sweetness on the nose, slight astringency, and a full, smooth mouthfeel. The sweet notes of rooibos increase over time and are often described as fruity and caramel in taste. Our Rooibos is prepared with boiling water and cooled down to 60 degrees Celsius for the best flavour. It can also be cooled down completely and served as an iced tea. Rooibos is also a good flavour match for the umami Asian Food flavours. Our teas are excellent enjoyed with food and wine to unlock the palate and open up the taste buds.
ROOBOS TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
- Soak in a bath of Rooibos to relieve the symptoms of sunburn, insect bites, rashes, eczema, and more. Scientific studies have validated the health properties of Rooibos on the skin; thus, if you or your children are badly sunburnt, have blisters, or are seeking relief from insect bites or rashes, turn to Rooibos for help.
- Excessive sweating can easily lead to dehydration, but rooibos tea can help you hydrate quickly as it contains polyphenol antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids that are potent free radical scavengers, aiding accelerated rehydration.
- Add a delicious Rooibos sweetness to your baked goods or at-home cocktails with tea-infused simple syrups. To make steep tea as usual in a cup of hot water using 2-3 tea bags, more for a stronger syrup. Remove the tea bag and mix with a cup of sugar. The syrup can then be stirred into iced coffee, tea, cocktails, or used on or in baked goods.
- Feeling artsy? Before buying yourself paint that you may not use again, consider using what you have at home: tea. Fill small bowls with boiling water and infuse various flavours of tea in the water for several minutes. Vary seeping times for darker and lighter colours and get to work on your canvas. Watercolour brushes work best with this technique, but you can get creative with sponges, potato stamps, or whatever tools best suit your creative mood.
- Whether you have a compost bin at home or a community compost drop-off, do not forget to include your spent tea leaves. While some tea bags are compostable as is, others will need to be cut open and added to the organics pile to help create plant fertilizer.