Carmien – From the farm

As Carmien’s harvesting season is drawing to a close, older tea fields are in the process of being cleared so that oats can be planted to restore the soil biome. Their estimated rooibos yield per ton will be in the region of 2,5 ton per hectare.

The good rains and cool weather conditions experienced during November-December caused good growth but at the same time ripening (which requires hot sunny conditions) was delayed by the cooler, wet conditions. Carmien have estimated receiving around 500 tons of rooibos at their processing plant Bergendal this year but, despite excellent quality, this excess moisture has caused only about 48% realisation from wet to dry tea during processing.

 

While the last tea fields are now being harvested, rooibos seeds have also been sown at our tea nursery. Apart from their own nursery they also supply seed to approved seed growers who then supply them with seedlings when they are ready. All their new tea fields are planted with seedlings, not seeds. Seeds are collected by sifting the soil around the base of the tea bushes and sent away to undergo a rubbing process called scarification to soften the hard outer shell that prohibits germination. Seeds are then returned to us for propagation at the various nurseries.

We are reminded of the Word that says, “As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night”.

 

Source: Carmien Rooibos Tea