Our Process
We believe in using the highest quality spices and botanicals for their natural goodness, complementing them with intriguing, delightful flavors – qualities that make all of our teas uniquely Yogi.
Our process begins long before these ingredients make their way into a cup of Yogi tea. By implementing highly selective sourcing standards, rigorous quality testing, and a commitment to creating products that minimize our environmental footprint, we ensure quality products for you while respecting our planet.
It is our hope that this goodness shines through in every Yogi product.
Responsible Sourcing Program
We are extremely selective with our suppliers and require that they regularly perform Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and/or Food Safety Audits. These audits focus on best practices to verify that the herbs and botanicals we source are produced, packed, handled, and stored in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of food safety hazards.
As part of our Responsible Sourcing Program, suppliers must comply with standards outlined in the Yogi Global Supplier Expectations Manual as a preliminary condition for business engagement.
This manual outlines supplier expectations for Business Integrity; Labor Practices and Human Rights; Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability; Product Responsibility, and Transparency in alignment with internationally recognized standards.
Ingredient Standards & Quality Testing
We conduct several substance and sensory tests on all of our ingredients to validate that each one meets our high standards for color, aroma, and taste.
These tests include (among others) Microbiology Testing, which ensures that raw ingredient materials are safe and are free of pathogens, yeasts, and molds; and Identity Confirmation, which allows us to confirm the identity of each ingredient we source using DNA analysis, sensory evaluations, and chromatography techniques.
This quality-assurance testing ensures the use of quality ingredients in all Yogi teas, cup after cup after cup.
USDA Certified Organic
Using organic ingredients encourages farms to maintain or improve soil and water quality, and helps support ecological balance, and biodiversity conservation. We are proud to share that all Yogi teas contain organic ingredients, and the vast majority of our teas are USDA Organic Certified or Made with Organic.
Additionally, we require that our suppliers follow the National Organic Program (NOP) for all ingredients we procure from them. According to the standards set forth by the NOP, suppliers must be able to document that these ingredients – and thus, our teas – contain:
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NO GMO ingredients
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NO Artificial Ingredients
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NO Ingredients contaminated by ionizing radiation (irradiation) or sewer sludge
Our facility is Organically Certified by Quality Assurance International (QAI), an independent third-party organic certifier that verifies the organic integrity of our ingredients at every step of the production chain; confirming that each ingredient adheres to the NOP’s strict guidelines and regulations.
Non-GMO Project Verified
All Yogi teas are Non-GMO, and we are currently in the process of obtaining the official Non-GMO Project Verified certification for all of our tea blends.
Yogi teas bearing the Non-GMO Project Verified seal have completed a comprehensive third-party verification process, which ensures that the tea is compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Tea Packaging
Once our tea blends are ready for packaging, they’re placed inside tea bag filtration paper made from a select blend of high-quality manila hemp (abaca) fibers and wood pulp, which is free from plastics.
This filtration paper is oxygen bleached – a natural process that’s free of chemicals or toxins. Along with all other components of our packaging, this paper is free of gluten, GMOs, and corn, and does not contain any of the eight FDA-recognized allergens (tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, or soybeans).
Once our tea blends are secured in tea bag filtration paper, they are then individually packed in heat-sealed envelopes to preserve their intrinsic health benefits and maintain freshness and delicious flavor.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Packaging Components
We’re committed to doing our part to protect and give back to the planet that gives us so much.
All components of our packaging are printed entirely with environmentally-friendly, vegetable-based inks. Our tea cartons are made from 100% recycled paperboard, and our case boxes are made from 60% recycled materials.
All Yogi tea bag components are compostable with the exception of the staples used to seal the bag and attach the tag on some of our teas.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensures sustainable livelihoods. We’re proud to use Organic Rooibos Leaf from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms in 5 Yogi blends, including:
Yogi Chai Rooibos Tea
Yogi Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea
Yogi Mango Ginger Tea
Yogi Soothing Caramel Bedtime Tea
Yogi Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy Tea
When you purchase Yogi products with the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal of approval, you’re helping to safeguard the rights and well-being of workers, conserve wildlife and natural resources, and protect the environment.
Certified B Corporation
We’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation,* using the power of business to help solve social and environmental problems.
Unlike traditional corporations, we are legally required to consider the impact of our decisions on our employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and environment, thus meeting higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Visit B Corp to learn more about what it means for Yogi to be a Certified B Corporation.