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Agricola Himalaya workers plucking tea at Bitaco, Colombia\u2019s only commercial tea estate <\/p>\n Agricola Himalaya workers plucking tea at Bitaco, Colombia\u2019s only commercial tea estate <\/p>\n
Commerce City, California-based (ITI) recently formed a marketing partnership with the Colombia-based supplier , which since November 2016 has been promoting its flagship organic specialty brand . Through this co-marketing arrangement the companies agree to distribute a new specialty tea collection across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Bitaco Tea Estate has been operating in the rural La Cumbre municipality in the foothills of the Andes mountains for nearly 60 years as the only tea grower in Colombia. <\/p>\n
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In 2016, The Bitaco Tea Estate underwent some changes after spending four years doing research and development. The estate converted its tea production from the cut-tear-curl method to orthodox. The company also switched its entire farm and factory from conventional to organic cultivation and manufacturing practices and obtained USDA certification. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to be short-sighted, but Bitaco has taken a 100 percent long-term view,\u201d said Santiago Gonzales Dorado, Brand Manager at Agricola Himalaya.<\/p>\n
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Bitaco\u2019s team learned the best ways of growing and processing white, green and black teas from experts from around the world. Traditional best practices were integrated with the characteristics of Colombia\u2019s tropical climate, rich soil and natural spring water to produce top quality teas with the help of expert blenders, tea masters and cuppers. <\/p>\n
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Green leaf <\/p>\n
\u201cIt has given them the opportunity to create some amazing teas,\u201d said Bhavin Shah, CFO and Head of Strategy and Business Development at ITI. \u201cDuring my recent visit to the Bitaco Tea Estate, I had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the supplier\u2019s innovative approach to tea manufacturing. I was especially pleased to see their modern operations and best in class food safety procedures. We are thrilled to be able to bring this exquisite and high-quality product to our customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
One such distinctive tea is Bitaco\u2019s Black Tea Mocha, which was created for ITI. Another is the Tropical tea, which contains fruits native to Colombia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to let the tea industry know that Colombian tea exists, with ITI getting the product to consumers,\u201d said Gonzales Dorado. ITI is importing, wholesaling and distributing Bitaco\u2019s teas to its Mexico and U.S. operations, including Chado tearooms in the U.S. and the Sinensis tearoom in Tijuana, Mexico. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the largest wholesalers to tearooms,\u201d said Shah.<\/p>\n
Bitaco\u2019s mission does not stop at producing quality organic tea; the company also supports social programs such as daycares, schools, scholarship funds, and programs for entrepreneurs. Additionally, it prioritizes environmental sustainability and reforestation, giving away 30 \u2013 40 thousand native trees each year. The company is currently in the process of converting to solar energy. \u201cWe will be 360 degrees sustainable in terms of social causes and the environment,\u201d said Gonzales Dorado.<\/p>\n
Later this year, ITI will offer a free all-expense paid trip to Colombia to the largest Bitaco tea buyer. <\/p>\n
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Withering tea <\/p>\n
Andres Velasco, CEO of Agr\u00edcola Himalaya conveyed in a statement, \u201cBitaco is pleased to enter into a long-term partnership with ITI to bring our unique and rare Colombian Specialty Tea into the U.S., Canada, and Mexico markets. With ITI\u2019s reputation and marketing prowess we are certain that our exceptional teas will be easier to order and will enjoy broad exposure to North America\u2019s tea customers for years to come. We look forward to hosting the winners of the contest later this year and have the opportunity to showcase the innovative tea manufacturing process at Bitaco Tea Estate as well as the beauty and culture of Colombia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bitaco Teas can currently be found in 25 countries across Europe, Asia and North America.<\/p>\n
Agricola Himalaya workers plucking tea at Bitaco, Colombia\u2019s only commercial tea estate Commerce City, California-based (ITI) recently formed a marketing partnership with the Colombia-based supplier , which since November 2016 has been promoting its flagship organic specialty brand . Through this co-marketing arrangement the companies agree to distribute a new specialty tea collection across the<\/p>\n