One of the most consumed beverages in the world is without a doubt tea. Though it may not seem like that would be the case here in America, in other parts of the world tea is the preferred drink of choice. With the many variations of tea that can be brewed in the world, there are countless types of tea that can be experienced from many countries. Chile is one of the countries that produces their own organic tea by a company called Garden Of The Andes. We, The Gourmet Import Shop, work closely with Garden Of The Andes to help make their teas available to America as well as other countries. Come join us in this blog post as we discuss the Garden Of The Andes company and their history, the process of how their tea is made, benefits of organic tea, as well as other tidbits of information that may be of interest. Head on past the break to read on!
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| Garden Of The Andes field of chamomile flowers |
Garden Of The Andes
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The Cambiaso family arrived in the Port of Valparaiso, Chile in 1875 and immediately started an import business, distributing tea throughout Chile. In 1876, they began exporting to countries such as the USA, providing flour during the California Gold Rush. Throughout the company’s history, it has produced and sold preserves and tea. For the beginning years, the products were produced conventionally. But in 1990, the company’s owner, convinced of the concept of organic sustainability, purchased 1,500 hectares of land to grow and produce organic tea products branded as Garden of the Andes. Today, olives, linden trees, herbs, boldo shrubs and a virgin forest grow on the land.
The Garden Of The Andes has 1,000 employees, who receive 100% paid family health insurance, as well as individualized family health support. They also offer confidential employee assistance programs, financial assistance for housing and educational programs, as well as legal and emergency financial assistance. In 2011, the company increased its organic farmland to 2,000 hectares, thus reaffirming their commitment to the future and to sustainability. They have expanded in terms of both crop production and export destinations. The Garden Of The Andes organic production continues to grow steadily year on year, and the growing number of markets around the world where their products are consumed is a testimony to their outstanding quality.
The Garden Of The Andes has 1,000 employees, who receive 100% paid family health insurance, as well as individualized family health support. They also offer confidential employee assistance programs, financial assistance for housing and educational programs, as well as legal and emergency financial assistance. In 2011, the company increased its organic farmland to 2,000 hectares, thus reaffirming their commitment to the future and to sustainability. They have expanded in terms of both crop production and export destinations. The Garden Of The Andes organic production continues to grow steadily year on year, and the growing number of markets around the world where their products are consumed is a testimony to their outstanding quality.
Why Organic?
As stated by the USDA, food products labeled "100 percent organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients. Garden Of The Andes belief is that organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of the soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet itself as a whole. In fulfilling this ideal, future production is ensured. Not only that but by delivering a product that is as close to perfection as possible, Garden Of The Andes believes that they are creating awareness in others with the following organic principles:
1. The superior organoleptic properties of the crop result in improved taste and aroma and enhanced health benefits.
2. Production is clean, without the use of environmentally harmful pesticides.
3. Crop rotation properly replenishes the soil and prevents intense or excessive land use.
4. Crops are harvested and selected by hand, preserving the balance between nature and community and contributing to their employees' household economies.
5. Since they do not use genetically modified crops, the workers avoid potential health problems, such as allergies.
The Process
The current 3,300 acre certified organic farmland that Garden Of The Andes owns is located next to the Andes Mountains, which leads to having the perfect mix of Mediterranean weather, pure water, and soft slopes which create the perfect environment for their organic herbs to grow. Combined with this ideal environment, their damage-free farming methods ensures continued production of the herbs. To bring about the perfect organic product, Garden Of The Andes grows their own seeds. They even have a specially designed nursery where they not only grow chamomile and mint seedlings & cutlings, but they are continuously looking for new seeds and plants to add to the family of products. They successfully reproduced several local herbs and trees which have been planted throughout their orchards.
Sustainable Farming
One major practice Garden Of The Andes holds to is sustainable farming. With sustainable farming, they rotate crops from field to field rather than growing the same crop in the same place year after year. This helps prevent erosion, discourages weeds, and adds nutrients to the soil giving it ideal growing conditions. With this system, it also helps prevent buildup of pathogens and pests which occur when one sole species is constantly cultivated in one place. Other benefits with crop rotation include having soil fertility, replenishing nitrogen in the soil, improves soil structure by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants, and greatly effects the amount of soil lost from erosion by water.
Composting
Composting is another method which helps keep the soil healthy for crop growing. Composting is a natural form of recycling which continually occurs in nature. Organic material is transformed via decomposition into a form of soil-like material called compost. The process then yields a natural form of fertilizer which is used extensively in organic agriculture. Garden of the Andes carefully processes compostable materials to bring back nutrients to the soil which are lost during the harvesting process.
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| View of Andes Mountains from Garden Of The Andes farmland |
The current 3,300 acre certified organic farmland that Garden Of The Andes owns is located next to the Andes Mountains, which leads to having the perfect mix of Mediterranean weather, pure water, and soft slopes which create the perfect environment for their organic herbs to grow. Combined with this ideal environment, their damage-free farming methods ensures continued production of the herbs. To bring about the perfect organic product, Garden Of The Andes grows their own seeds. They even have a specially designed nursery where they not only grow chamomile and mint seedlings & cutlings, but they are continuously looking for new seeds and plants to add to the family of products. They successfully reproduced several local herbs and trees which have been planted throughout their orchards.
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One major practice Garden Of The Andes holds to is sustainable farming. With sustainable farming, they rotate crops from field to field rather than growing the same crop in the same place year after year. This helps prevent erosion, discourages weeds, and adds nutrients to the soil giving it ideal growing conditions. With this system, it also helps prevent buildup of pathogens and pests which occur when one sole species is constantly cultivated in one place. Other benefits with crop rotation include having soil fertility, replenishing nitrogen in the soil, improves soil structure by alternating deep-rooted and shallow-rooted plants, and greatly effects the amount of soil lost from erosion by water.
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| Recycling organic material for composting |
Composting is another method which helps keep the soil healthy for crop growing. Composting is a natural form of recycling which continually occurs in nature. Organic material is transformed via decomposition into a form of soil-like material called compost. The process then yields a natural form of fertilizer which is used extensively in organic agriculture. Garden of the Andes carefully processes compostable materials to bring back nutrients to the soil which are lost during the harvesting process.
Over two-thirds of fresh water used each year by humans around the world is used for crop irrigation. Organic systems use water more efficiently because they improve the soil structure which results in higher levels of humus (the soil part that is without the cellular structure characteristic of plants, micro-organisms or animals) and other organic matter compounds. The open structure of organic agriculture allows rainwater to quickly penetrate the soil, improving the levels of water capture. Water is the key element in future production; Garden of the Andes is committed to its correct and efficient usage.
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| Garden Of The Andes uses an organic system when using water |
The Teas
Not only are the teas themselves special but the bags they are put into were carefully considered. Teabag filter paper made of unbleached Manila hemp and unbleached wood are what make up the bags Garden of The Andes uses. The teas are packed in double chamber bags with no glue or staples, so you may enjoy the tea as pure as it should be. During the bleaching process used in making regular filter paper, some toxic substances, such as dioxin, are created. These are absorbed by fatty tissue in the body and can remain up to 11 years. For these reasons, Garden Of The Andes does not use regular filter paper.
Imagine an emerald green field at the foothills of the Andes, dotted as far as the eye can see with the white nodding heads of daisies. That’s where the flowers for our chamomile tea grow. Undisturbed, organically, the way nature intended. Exceptional in flavor and aroma, the Chamomile variety is considered one of the best in the world. Each sip chases away worries, soothes the stomach and relaxes the body.
For centuries, roses have grown freely in the Andean prairies. When their tender petals fade and fall, what’s left is one of nature’s most potent curative secrets: the rosehip. Garden Of The Andes combine its power with Hibiscus, creating a blend rich in Vitamin C to boost the body’s immune system, stimulate kidney function, and improve digestion. Their organic garden produces millions of these ruby jewels, allowing them to bring the Chilean sunshine to your teacup.
How can something that tastes so delicate, mellow and silky be one of the most powerful natural health weapons? It’s because our organic Green Tea is minimally processed to protect and concentrate the antioxidant potency of the leaves. Low in caffeine, Green Tea improves heart function, immunity, metabolism, cholesterol, blood sugar, and may even fight cancer. Be good to yourself and enjoy a cup.
A teapot full of lemon drops. Refreshing and slightly sweet, our Lemon Verbena blend is a medium-bodied, clean fruit infusion, without the bite of citrus-based tea. A native Chilean shrub, Lemon Verbena thrives in the sun-drenched, organic soil of their Andean meadows. The delicate blade-shaped leaves impart a pleasant, lively lemon flavor to a tea that improves digestion and strengthens the nervous system.
While Garden Of The Andes black tea steeps, the scent of cocoa wafts on the steam. A wake-up call to the senses, their organic blend is full-bodied, yet smooth and balanced, evoking pepper and earthy notes. Perfect for curling up with on a chilly night, or for refreshing you when it’s iced. Elegant and versatile, drink it with milk as an alternative to coffee, or brighten with lemon to enhance its natural sweetness.
The intoxicating fragrance of crushed mint fills the air of our Andean garden where peppermint grows in natural abundance. Prized for its irresistible, invigorating flavor and many health benefits, this Peppermint tea is perhaps the most popular tea blend from Garden of the Andes. A cupful is the perfect morning jump start or mid-afternoon energy boost. Try it to cleanse the palate, relax muscles, stimulate digestion or sooth upset stomachs.
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Garden Of The Andes owns one of the most modern and sophisticated tea manufacturing plants in the world. With this state-of-the-art tea machinery and logistics, they are able to produce 8 million tea bags per day! To ensure perfect organic control, a special area within the factory has been set aside for the machinery used for their organic products.
Not only are the teas themselves special but the bags they are put into were carefully considered. Teabag filter paper made of unbleached Manila hemp and unbleached wood are what make up the bags Garden of The Andes uses. The teas are packed in double chamber bags with no glue or staples, so you may enjoy the tea as pure as it should be. During the bleaching process used in making regular filter paper, some toxic substances, such as dioxin, are created. These are absorbed by fatty tissue in the body and can remain up to 11 years. For these reasons, Garden Of The Andes does not use regular filter paper.
PURE CHAMOMILE
Imagine an emerald green field at the foothills of the Andes, dotted as far as the eye can see with the white nodding heads of daisies. That’s where the flowers for our chamomile tea grow. Undisturbed, organically, the way nature intended. Exceptional in flavor and aroma, the Chamomile variety is considered one of the best in the world. Each sip chases away worries, soothes the stomach and relaxes the body.
ROSEHIP & HIBISCUS
For centuries, roses have grown freely in the Andean prairies. When their tender petals fade and fall, what’s left is one of nature’s most potent curative secrets: the rosehip. Garden Of The Andes combine its power with Hibiscus, creating a blend rich in Vitamin C to boost the body’s immune system, stimulate kidney function, and improve digestion. Their organic garden produces millions of these ruby jewels, allowing them to bring the Chilean sunshine to your teacup.
PURE GREEN TEA
How can something that tastes so delicate, mellow and silky be one of the most powerful natural health weapons? It’s because our organic Green Tea is minimally processed to protect and concentrate the antioxidant potency of the leaves. Low in caffeine, Green Tea improves heart function, immunity, metabolism, cholesterol, blood sugar, and may even fight cancer. Be good to yourself and enjoy a cup.
LEMON VERBENA
A teapot full of lemon drops. Refreshing and slightly sweet, our Lemon Verbena blend is a medium-bodied, clean fruit infusion, without the bite of citrus-based tea. A native Chilean shrub, Lemon Verbena thrives in the sun-drenched, organic soil of their Andean meadows. The delicate blade-shaped leaves impart a pleasant, lively lemon flavor to a tea that improves digestion and strengthens the nervous system.
PURE CEYLON TEA
While Garden Of The Andes black tea steeps, the scent of cocoa wafts on the steam. A wake-up call to the senses, their organic blend is full-bodied, yet smooth and balanced, evoking pepper and earthy notes. Perfect for curling up with on a chilly night, or for refreshing you when it’s iced. Elegant and versatile, drink it with milk as an alternative to coffee, or brighten with lemon to enhance its natural sweetness.
PURE PEPPERMINT
The intoxicating fragrance of crushed mint fills the air of our Andean garden where peppermint grows in natural abundance. Prized for its irresistible, invigorating flavor and many health benefits, this Peppermint tea is perhaps the most popular tea blend from Garden of the Andes. A cupful is the perfect morning jump start or mid-afternoon energy boost. Try it to cleanse the palate, relax muscles, stimulate digestion or sooth upset stomachs.
With the countless variety of teas that can be brewed coupled with the great health benefits it provides, it is no wonder as to why tea is one of the top beverages in the world. From the exotic styles such as the Rosehip & Hibiscus tea to the simple yet classic Green Tea, you can more than likely find one that suits your taste. If you haven't done so already yet, you can conveniently purchase these Chilean products through our website by clicking on the images of the teas up above. You can also find our other gourmet food products by clicking on the logo below:
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