Every ingredient has a story that begins long before it reaches the final product. During a recent sourcing trip to Thailand, we visited the family-owned farm and processing facilities behind our premium mulberry leaf tea and butterfly pea flower.
At Zi Chun Tea, visiting our growers is an important part of how we source. Seeing operations first-hand allows us to better understand growing practices, build stronger relationships and ensure every product meets the quality, traceability and ethical standards we expect from our supply partners.
Generational Expertise
Our visit began with the family who founded and continues to manage the business today.
Their hands-on involvement is evident throughout the operation, from crop management and harvesting through to processing and quality control. Years of experience have been passed from one generation to the next, creating a business built on consistency, care and long-term relationships with both growers and customers.
Working directly with family-owned businesses like this gives us confidence in both the quality of the products and the people behind them.
Empowering Local Farmers
While the processing facility is family owned, much of the raw material is sourced directly from independent local farmers throughout the surrounding region.
By offering fair pricing and long-term purchasing relationships, the business provides local growers with greater financial stability while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
It’s a partnership that benefits everyone involved, from the farming communities through to customers seeking responsibly sourced botanical ingredients.
Empowering Local Farmers
While the processing facility is family owned, much of the raw material is sourced directly from independent local farmers throughout the surrounding region.
By offering fair pricing and long-term purchasing relationships, the business provides local growers with greater financial stability while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.
It’s a partnership that benefits everyone involved, from the farming communities through to customers seeking responsibly sourced botanical ingredients.
Quality from Field to Facility
During our visit, we reviewed the harvesting, handling and processing methods used for both mulberry leaves and butterfly pea flowers.
Maintaining quality begins in the field through careful harvesting at the right stage of growth. From there, the ingredients are processed using methods designed to preserve their natural colour, flavour and nutritional properties before being prepared for export.
We also toured the processing facilities to better understand the quality control measures and working conditions that support every stage of production.
Why Origin Visits Matter
For us, sourcing is about much more than purchasing ingredients.
Regular visits to our growers help strengthen long-term partnerships, provide greater transparency throughout the supply chain and ensure we continue sourcing products that reflect our commitment to quality and responsible business practices.
These visits also allow us to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by our growers, helping us build relationships based on trust rather than transactions.
Reflections from the Field
Our time in Thailand reinforced the value of working closely with family-owned businesses that share our commitment to quality, transparency and long-term partnerships.
By visiting our growers in person, we gain a deeper appreciation for the care that goes into every harvest and every ingredient. Those experiences help shape the products we source and the relationships we continue to build throughout Asia.
