ECO GOODNESS

PROCESSES AND QUALITY GUARANTEE Our Carmién rooibos tea farms are spread across the 16 Rooibos GI-certified regions of South Africa, where we obtain high-quality rooibos from our long-term contracted producers. The entire process from growing the product in the fields to developing the best taste and flavour are all controlled by strict processes and measures….

GREEN ROOIBOS: FROM CROP TO CUP Carmién Tea is not only renowned for being a marketer and exporter of Rooibos but as one of the only brands that are the producer, processor, and marketer/exporter. Carmién supplies Rooibos tea directly from the farm in South Africa as we are based in the unique Rooibos region (60…

What does it mean to be GI/PDO certified? The excerpts below explain the technicalities behind the certification, and why it is so important for our product and for South Africa. Protection of the name ‘rooibos’ The name of ‘Rooibos’/’Red Bush’ can only be used to refer to the dried leaves and stems of 100 %…

We have a great cause for celebration! Not only has our much-loved indigenous rooibos finally been registered as a geographic indicator (GI) and awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (Regulation (EU)No 1151/2012), but it is also the first African food to achieve this status. What does this mean? GIs are…

The latest news from the farm in Citrusdal. The skies opened up with heavy seasonal rainfall during the first week of July, giving our farmers the perfect opportunity to plant new seedlings. We’re feeling optimistic about this year’s new crops, with the Olifants River running through Citrusdal being the fullest it’s been since 1994, promising…

The Rooibos Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement recognize the Khoikhoi and San peoples as the traditional knowledge holders to the uses of Rooibos, an indigenous plant species found only in the Cederberg region of South Africa. In November 2019, the world’s first industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement was launched in South Africa between the Khoikhoi and San, and…

The European Commission now recognises Rooibos as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Geographical Indicator (GI). The authenticity and quality of rooibos has become fully visible for European and global consumers, with benefits for South African producers and the rural communities living and working on rooibos farms. Rooibos is the first African food to…

Besides brewing your favourite cup of tea, the humble tea bag can do so much more for you! Our teas come in so many flavours and styles, giving you endless uses for this versatile pantry staple. Whether you are looking to add extra flavour to your home baking or to create a DIY spa day,…

Stay updated on the latest news direct from the farm. 2020 was not a great tea yielding year for us, but the tea we did harvest was of very good quality. Over the last few years, we have expanded our tea planting radius into new areas adjacent to Citrusdal but have found that these fields…

Carmién Tea has established itself as a marketplace leader in innovative, functional rooibos-based teas and speciality products. Our most recent addition to the range is a Rooibos Powder (conventional rooibos powder with collagen and turmeric) and Green Rooibos Powder (green rooibos powder with echinacea, baobab and moringa) that are matcha-like products but less fine. These…

At Carmién Tea, we are focused on following good farming and processing practices, and keep sustainability top of mind in everything we do. You’ll notice four seals on every pack of tea you purchase. These Goodness seals indicate our promise and commitment to our workers, our customers and our environment. Flavour Goodness: we ensure a…

Rooted in the fertile South African soil, Carmién Tea operates according to current ethical values with full traceability and a direct link to the farm, our eco goodness promise. Through good agricultural practices, we create a sustainable model that conserves the vitality and diversity of the Earth. With this year’s good and even late winter…

The last school term of the year has started and we kicked off day one with some fun. The long awaited (and quite a few trials later) recycle card project was launched at De Meul, our largest community centre. Sometimes our best laid plans go awry as there are so many people involved. This was…

The latest news from the farm. The last planting for the season is now done. We had a good planting season with regular bouts of rain to help the young seedlings settle quickly and strongly showing at least a 90% survival rate. It is important that the young plants develop strong stems and well-anchored root…

News From The Farm: October 2021 Our rooibos fields are harvested annually for between 4-7 years, thereafter, crop rotation takes place where typically oats is planted for 1-3 years to provide the fallow lying fields with a recovery period and for nutrients to return to the ground. Oats is also called the rooibos doctor as…

Tea Trends for 2022 “Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time at home,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market. “As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect to see consumers prioritize food and drink…

Transparency and Sustainability Sustainability has become an ever-growing trend over the last few years and as consumerism shifts to greater health and eco-awareness, transparent sustainability practices are key. The recent Product Of Origin and GI certification awarded to rooibos ensures our customers that all our rooibos are sourced from certified suppliers and furthermore grown environmentally…

NEWS FROM THE FARM: NOVEMBER 2021 The tea fields are still being prepared for the harvesting season starting in January so these last months of the year are mostly a time of weeding. Our tea fields are looking very good due to some welcome late rains. It is also flowering season now. A noticeable difference…

The Rooibos Sensory Wheel The rooibos sensory wheels serve as quality control and communication tools. These wheels provide industry role players with a tool to understand exactly what constitutes the “characteristic aroma and taste” of this South African herbal tea. The first generic rooibos sensory wheel, developed in 2011, was revised in 2017 to illustrate…

News From The Farm: Harvest Season We are not unfamiliar with high temperatures during the harvesting season but somehow this year seems to have had one heatwave after the other, all the more reason why our workers start harvesting as early as 5 am already. Of course, the rooibos plant is very hardy, with a…

What does the new Rainforest Alliance Standard (and Seal) mean? The recent changes to the RA programme promises even more improvement in Providing a Path to More Resilient and Inclusive Agricultural Practices. The Rainforest Alliance Seal guarantees: Improved livelihood for producers, farm workers, their families and communities. Prevents deforestation, promotes reforestation, protects biodiversity, and mitigates…

As our harvesting season is drawing to a close, older tea fields are in the process of being cleared so that oats can be planted to restore the soil biome. Our estimated rooibos yield per ton will be in the region of 2,5 ton per hectare. The good rains and cool weather conditions we experienced…

What sets Carmién Tea apart as a preferred rooibos brand? Apart from bringing our customers rooibos direct from the farm, grown socially just and sustainably, we have one key element that consistently brings us rave reviews and several international awards. “Our innovative, flavourful and functional rooibos blends underpin our aspiration towards a life of health…

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June and is the United Nations‘ principal vehicle to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and practise sustainable actions for the protection of the environment. Environmental protection forms one of the 3 pillars of corporate sustainability. What is sustainability? Sustainability is on everyone’s lips these days but…

  It is planting season on the farm which means rain is first and foremost on our minds. There has been very little rain which is disconcerting. Late rain not only prevents the newly planted seedlings to settle and thrive but also results in the seedlings still at the nurseries becoming too established to successfully…

The indigenous Khoi and San people of South Africa, the first people who used the rooibos plant as a tea, signed a groundbreaking agreement with the South African government whereby they will benefit from the commercialisation of Rooibos.   As of 2019 a levy of 1.5% of the farm gate price of all rooibos tea…

Private label sales have been steadily moving upward since 2016. In fact, it showed its highest growth during lockdown which begs the question as to why it has been gaining such continued momentum in the retail market. Financial challenges resulting from the pandemic have led to consumers consciously seeking the best value for their money….

January is synonymous with rooibos harvesting, clearing the tea fields of unwanted weeds and cleaning all the machinery that will be used during harvesting. Scorching hot days make it very uncomfortable for workers to clean the fields. While some cooling rain in December brought relief and a last growth boost for the rooibos plants, it…

Much has been said about the multiple health benefits of Rooibos or ‘red bush’ tea, derived from the unique herbal shrub native to the Western Cape region of South Africa, but its benefits and uses stretch way beyond just human health and enjoyment. As summer now draws to a close in South Africa we are…

The latest updates, direct from the farm. Rainforest Alliance Program Carmién Tea (Pty)Ltd and our subcontracted processing plant, Bergendal Rooibos (Pty)Ltd are proud to be part of the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program. This seal is your guarantee that our certified product, Rooibos, was produced using methods that support the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic,…