12 Sachet Sampler Pack
Zealong: The World’s most Unique Tea
Three times a year, for 20 days at a time, Zealong harvests its most tender leaves and processes them in a state-of-the art tea factory. Not all leaves are picked during harvesting but only the top young and juicy leaves with a portion of the stem on which they have grown and the tender bud (or tip) – an unexpanded leaf at the end of the shoot. The top two leaves and the bud are ideal.
The pickers pluck just the top three, most tender and most flavorful leaves. The tea leaves are sun-dried in Zeelong Tea estate’s purpose-built glasshouse under strict food safety standards. See the process at Zeelong Tea in New Zealand.
https://zealong.com/the-art-of-zealong-tea/
The decisions that culminate into this award-winning tea span across the entire process, from the plant to the cup. For its pure, single origin tea lines such as black, green, and oolong teas, Zealong uses 100% of its own organically grow tea, with no artificial oils or flavors added. While this decision does raise the cost of production, it also ensures the cleanest ingredients possible to start the next step of the process.
For its blended tea lines, Zealong sources all natural ingredients from other trusted organic farmers around the world. Adopting a ‘trust but verify’ posture with outside ingredients, Zealong subjects these ingredients to independent professional sample testing to ensure they are truly organic and free of potentially harmful chemicals. Zealong also works proactively with their neighbors surrounding the tea estate to create a ‘clean zone’ around their farm.
For the teas available in tea bags, they use plant-based tea pyramids that are compostable. This does two things: First, it protects you from the harmful plastics often found in traditional tea bags. Secondly, it provides more room for the leaves to unfurl in the brewing process- yielding a more delicious cup of tea.
Furthermore, every pack of Zealong tea is fully traceable to the exact plot where it was grown on the farm, and when it was harvested and produced. All of this and more to provide peace of mind that the final product is as clean as possible!
Independent Certifications for Zealong Tea
Zealong Tea Estate is independently internationally certified for its organic production, processing and packing methods. The factory operates adhering to the highest food safety standards – ISO22000/HACCP.
Tea has never been successfully grown in New Zealand before, and what’s even more remarkable is that everything at Zealong has been done organically and certified to world-leading standards. The multiple independent certifications and accreditations make Zealong Tea Estate the largest internationally certified tea producer in the world.
Every detail of our tea is completely traceable, from soil to first sip, a unique status within the tea industry. Third party certification assures discerning tea drinkers that they can drink Zealong tea with a clear environmental conscience.
Certifications
BIOGRO ORGANIC
BioGro is New Zealand’s largest and best-known certifier for organic produce and products. BioGro-certified producers carry the BioGro logo on their products to assure their customers that the organic produce they buy is genuine.
BIOGRO NON-GMO
The BioGro logo guarantees that a product is made without animal testing, genetic modification and the routine use of synthetic pesticides. It is the mark of a genuine organic product.
USDA ORGANIC
A certified production system that is managed in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, and regulations (USDA Organic). Certified to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
EU ORGANIC
The EU organic logo indicates that this product is in full conformity with the conditions and regulations for the organic farming sector established by the European Union.
JAPAN ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
The Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) is maintained by the Japanese government. The JAS organic seal ensures food safety with the highest Japanese certification standards, giving consumers confidence.
CHINA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
China Organic Product Certification is the official governmental program recognised to regulate National Organic standards across China.
ISO 22000
This internationally recognized food safety standard covers all the processes in the food chain that impact the safety of the end product. It is used in food supply chains from farming to processing, transportation and storage through packaging to retail.
HACCP
HACCP certification is an international standard defining the requirements for effective control of food safety. It is built around seven principles, setting up control limits at critical points during the food production process.
NEW ZEALAND GROWN
The Buy NZ Made Campaign provides the licences for businesses to promote their New Zealand Made or Grown goods and services. Zealong tea is the only tea which can display the NZ Grown trademark.
FERNMARK
A licence to bear the FernMark is a formal government recognition of a product’s connection to New Zealand and clearly communicates its country of origin to consumers around the globe.
New Zealand on the world map, mostly.
