Our mission from the beginning was to share palo azul with the world so that everyone can enjoy this magical tea. We knew that a regenerative agriculture approach would be necessary in order to promote this plant's propagation in a way that is sustainable for the ecosystem and the farmers.

Fortunately, we were able to find a supplier that is Wildlife Friendly & USDA Organic Certified, and they're enrolled in Mexico's Federal Program for National Natural Protected Areas, so they're committed to a culture of sustainability and conservation. 

In the picture below you can see the palo azul trees and this is the 12,000 acre natural reserve in Mexico where we source organic & sustainable palo azul. We harvest the palo azul by pruning the branches, which encourages the tree to grow even bigger and it adds more life to the land, so everyone can enjoy nature’s magic! 

 

 

 

Wildlife Friendly Certified

This statement comes from the Wildlife Friendly organization: “We invite you to envision a world where people and wildlife not only coexist but thrive. In this world, nourishing foods and handcrafted products are part of an elegant solution rooted in collaboration, sustainability and with respect for farmers and artisans, the land, and wildlife. Everyone wins. This is the World of Certified Wildlife Friendly®.”

The owner of our palo azul ranch, stated that "our land management practices prioritize organic farming, regenerative grazing, and respect for nature, ensuring that local wildlife and communities thrive as a result of our deep respect for the interconnectedness of all life. This certification not only validates our conservation initiatives but also encourages us to continue our work with renewed vigor.”

The Wildlife Friendly mission is to protect wildlife in wild places and on agricultural lands, by certifying enterprises that assure people and nature coexist and thrive. We offer opportunities for people in often rural and disadvantaged communities and we enable conservation of intact landscapes critical to the provision of ecosystem services.

If you want to learn more about why sustainable agriculture is essential, check out our article:

Top Reasons to Buy Sustainably Sourced Palo Azul

 

Mexico’s Federal Program for National Natural Protected Areas

As a member of this program, our supplier is committed to the conservation, protection, and restoration of all national and indigenous fauna and flora in the region. According to the FAO, their mission is to conserve Mexico's natural heritage through protected areas and other conservation modalities, fostering a culture of conservation and sustainable development in the communities settled in these areas. 

Below are the main strategic objectives:

• Conserve the country's most representative ecosystems and biodiversity
• Promote and manage projects in Protected Areas related to protection, management, and restoration for conservation.
• Support the improvement of the quality of life of local inhabitants and mitigate negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

 

 

USDA Organic

We tried many samples of palo azul tea and we decided to choose one of the few suppliers that is USDA Organic Certified because we believe that organic agriculture is better for the environment, the farmers, and our health.

The palo azul trees grow and blossom naturally, and there’s no irrigation, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers because the entire ranch has been USDA Organic Certified since 2009.

Being certified organic means that our supplier complies with or exceed the following requirements:

• The ranch is managed completely free of herbicides, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or any other synthetic additives.
• Absolute prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms.
• Raising livestock in free-range and open-air systems and nourishing them with organic feed
• Broad crop rotation as a prerequisite for effective on-site resource use.
• Choosing plant and animal species that are resistant to diseases and adapted to local conditions.

 

Below is an article summarizing the research on why organic agriculture is better for our health, the farmers, and the planet.

Top Reasons to Buy Organic Palo Azul

 

 

100% Biodegradable Tea Bags

Most tea bags are made from plastic, paper, or nylon…which is unfortunate because none of these materials are biodegradable and can therefore pollute the environment and contaminate the soil in which our food grows. This is why our pyramid tea bags are made from a 100% biodegradable bio-mesh, which is a type of mesh made from PLA (Polylactic acid) that is derived from corn. You can learn more about the benefits of biodegradable tea bags in this article:

Why You Should Avoid Plastic/Paper/Nylon Tea Bags Like The Plague!

 

 

 

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Packaging

Instead of using recyclable material, all our product packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials, which means that our pouches have already made their impact by being made from a repurposed material. After certain recyclable plastic materials are recycled by consumers, they are diverted from landfills and they’re converted into usable PCR films which can be made into pouches. So by purchasing these PCR pouches, we can all help positively impact the environment with little effort. 

Digitally printed

Additionally, our pouches are digitally printed… which is more sustainable, using less energy, creating less waste, and producing a smaller carbon footprint than conventional printing. 

Conclusion

Although it is our principal mission to share this magical tea with the world…we see this is an opportunity to demonstrate that it is possible to make a positive impact in the ecosystem and the lives of the farmers who nurture our food by pursuing sustainable methods in every aspect of our business. If you have any suggestions about how we can improve, please feel free to contact us on our Contact page.