Strategic partnerships with like-minded commercial and Fairtrade producers, e.g., Bergendal Farming Operations, led to the foundation of Bergendal Rooibos in 2006. Bergendal Rooibos is the exclusive Rooibos drying, pasteurising, and packing facility for Carmién Tea.
The processing facility is located on the farm Bergendal, in the Piekenierskloof Mountain range. 95 Farm workers have 50% shares in Bergendal Rooibos. CP van Zyl Trust has 25% shares and Carmién Tea has 25% share in Bergendal Rooibos.
What started as a family business 35 years ago has grown into a formidable company, thriving through successful partnerships with key international and empowerment stakeholders, acquisition of farms, development of new generation orchards and the application of cutting edge, best practice technology.
Our partnership with Bergendal Worker Trust as well as with the Mouton Workers Trust, Emgro, ensure that 626 workers with about 5000 dependents have shareholding in any Carmién Tea product. Carmién Tea actively supports community development on shareholder’s farms. Visit their website here.
The De Tol Farm Deli is located on a historical piece of land along the N7 on the Piekenierskloof Pass. The familiar white building that acted as a supply station and pitstop to many travelers since 1849, is once again a hub of honest food, exciting pairing experiences, quality artisanal products, an excellent wine selection, and course, Carmién Tea.
The traditional ‘bakoond’ still turns out the most delicious ‘roosterkoek,’ but if that is not enough to lure you, shop the vast array of great deli products, or relax and enjoy a Piekenierskloof wine tasting served with a beautifully paired food platter and first-hand information on each wine.
The story begins on a wine farm. Not just any wine farm. Mientjie Mouton (nee van Zyl), founder of Carmién Tea, grew up on the family farm Bergendal on the Piekenierskloof Plateau. It started with parents that settled on this rugged, undeveloped mountain ridge with fruit farming, dry land vineyards and rooibos tea, partners in the first Citrusdal Wine Cellar, now known as Piekenierskloof Wine Company.
Today the pioneering van Zyl family is still in the wine, food, and rooibos tea business. Yes, Carmién Tea! Numerous joint events pairing wine, food and tea led to distilling our tea into two unique fynbos gins which now forms part of Piekenierskloof wines’ selection. Visit their website here.
LMC founder, Lize Mouton, is the inspiration behind this young brand conceived in 2018. The beautifully packaged LMC Rooibos Collection celebrates her South African roots, her love for tea, and a long family heritage of tea making. LMC is the story of who she is, what she lives and loves. Authentic. Healthy living. The outdoors. New horizons and challenges. Serious yet quirky. Fashion forward yet understated. Quality moments with friends and family. LMC Rooibos Collection is exactly that: created to inspire quality moments and conversations that go beyond just a cup of delicious tea.
Available at Poetry, Yuppiechef and on our website here.
Carmen Niehaus is one of South Africa's most loved chef's and is well-known as the previous food editor of YOU/Huisgenoot. She's received various awards for her work, hosted many TV shows including "Jy het 'n Wenresep!" and has published more than 35 cookbooks over the years.
Carmen is also founder and managing director Mientjie Mouton's twin sister. The Carmién Tea story started with twin sisters Mientjie and Carmen growing up on the rooibos producing farm, Bergendal. The name "Carmién" is a meshing of their names. You can find some of Carmen's rooibos recipes here, or catch up with her on Facebook or Instagram.