Introducing our industry
Origin
The green tea leaves used in our extract originate from the provinces of Sichuan and Shaanxi. These two provinces have been famous for their green tea plantations for over 2000 years. The climate is ideal, with temperatures above 10°C and regular rainfall throughout the year (1500 mm/year). China is the cradle of tea, since the first tea bushes were planted here.
Leaf picking and selection
Our tea leaves come from family farms and cooperatives, with which we have set up collection partnerships. The leaves are picked both manually and mechanically, but sorted by hand according to quality. Batch selection is based on phytochemical analysis to guarantee specific polyphenol content before extraction.
Green tea is harvested in spring and summer, from April to August. For the rest of the year, the tea bushes are dormant to ensure a high antioxidant content for the spring harvest.
A sustainable industry
For over 15 years, we have been working with our producer partners to set up a sustainable supply chain to guarantee traceability, extract quality and security of supply for our customers.
Green tea is manufactured in accordance with the factory’s environmental and safety policy. Only materials qualified according to our specifications are used.
Organic fertilizers are used to preserve the soil and healthy crops.
The solid waste generated is used to generate electricity by external waste treatment plants. Wastewater treatment systems are also installed at the plant.
A unique green tea extract
Traditional extraction
Extraction takes place in our partner factory in Hunan province. It takes place just after the harvest to exploit all the active ingredients in the tea responsible for its health benefits. After a further selection of batches of leaves with the best characteristics, extraction can begin. This is done using water only, in keeping with our commitment to traditional extraction. Our approach to extraction is based on a gentle process, with no solvents, maltodextrins, preservatives or silica used in the composition of the extract.
Containing 30% polyphenols and deliberately capped at 15% EpiGalloCatechin Gallate (EGCG), our aim is to avoid excessive EGCG content. EGCG is a flavanol found in tea and has strong antioxidant properties. Because of its health benefits, a high concentration of EGCG is often sought in extracts for dietary supplements. However, we have chosen to produce an extract with a balanced composition of active ingredients. The active ingredients are native to and fully integrated into the extract matrix, enabling them to maintain their synergy with one another, as in their original matrix: the tea leaf. This is only possible thanks to a healthy extraction process, using water and no organic solvents.
Quality control
Quality control is based on a control plan drawn up according to risk management and historical data on previous analyses. The latter are carried out in first-rate laboratories in Europe.
Botanical identification is determined according to the European Pharmacopoeia method.
We control over 550 pesticides (Reg CE 396/2005 and its amendments), both on the leaves before extraction and on the extract ready for packaging.
We analyze other contaminants, including heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in accordance with EC regulation 1881/2006, and Perchlorates in accordance with regulation 2020/685.
Of course, our extract contains no nanomaterials.
Benefits of green tea leaves
Green tea and its extracts have been the subject of numerous clinical studies demonstrating their health benefits. In addition, it has a number of accepted health claims (pending decision by the European Commission). The most interesting of these relate to antioxidants, the immune system, glycemia, renal function, slimming, cognitive function and the cardiovascular system.