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The company has developed a fully automated production
facility exclusively designed for processing Honeybush
Tea. This state of the art facility is the only
one of its kind in the world. It is equipped with
a unique energy saving system, and has been built
with future expansion possibilities in mind.
In contrast to traditional, but crude methods of
manufacture, a disciplined approach is followed
in creating our unique products. As the result of
an intensive research and development programme,
our processing methods have developed substantially
over the past few years, guaranteeing a product
of high and consistent quality. Organic certification
through SGS* for the plantations and the factory
facilities was approved in November 2001. The Cape
Honeybush Tea Company also adheres to HACCP protocols
(Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, as
laid down by the American Food and Drug Association).
Cape Honeybush Tea products are only released after
proper batch certification has taken place, both
on our premises and externally through the PPECB
(Perishable Products Export Control Board).
The Cape Honeybush Tea Company is a fully vertically
integrated enterprise. Each step in the process,
from selecting superior plant material and operating
extensive tea plantations, to the processing and
packaging of its teas is incorporated under the
umbrella of Cape Honeybush Tea.
Our 7-year programme, set out in 1999, aims at cultivating
400 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,200 tons
of dry Honeybush Tea. By then the Cape Honeybush
Tea company estimates that 100% of its crop will
be organically grown. |
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The Honeybush plant occurs naturally in the mountain
ranges of the Southern Cape in South Africa, but
was almost harvested to extinction. In 1992, the
National Botanical Institute in Cape Town launched
a commercially inspired project, under the guidance
of Dr. Hannes de Lange. This was to provide the
impetus for the present Honeybush Tea concerns.
In 1998, Dr. de Lange, in collaboration with Pierre
Taljaard from the Cape Honeybush Tea company, began
work on the propagation of the Honeybush Tea plant,
a system which has now been perfected by using a
specialised cutting method.
Dr. de Lange is presently occupied with studying
the hybridisation of the Honeybush plant. This will
further improve the growth, aroma and quality of
Honeybush Tea and optimise the yield.
The Cape Honeybush Tea company is committed to the
promotion and production of fine Honeybush and Rooibos
teas - recognising them as being among the most
precious and prized indigenous plants of the Cape.
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SGS has set up a worldwide certification
programme for organic production and processing.
The programme has been developed with reference
to the IFOAM (International Federation of Organic
Argiculture Movements), The European Community’s
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 and the Codex Alimentarius
Guidelines.
The basic characteristics of this organic system
are among others:
• sustainable production
methods and crop rotations
• extensive
and rational use of manure and vegetable wastes
• encouragement of biological cycles, involving
micro-organisms, soil fauna, plants and animals
• the use of appropriate cultivation techniques
• prohibition of agro-chemicals
Producers who comply with this standard may use
the SGS Organic logo.
Sources:
http://www.sgs.co.uk
http://www.sgs.nl/agro/pages/orgpro_en.asp |
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