OUR PRODUCTS

Processing – Herbs destined for tea are preserved either by using the old-world method of air-drying, or with a more modern approach using an industrial dehydrator. When the conditions are just right the herbs are chopped or ground in a way that releases the best flavour for steeping. Product is checked every day to ensure CFIA standards are always met, and to ensure product quality.

Our facilities are Canadian Food Inspection Agency certified (CFIA). Our commitment to quality is reflected in the stringent production standards we have established.

Storage – Once the plants are completely dried they are put into long term storage in airtight, dark, cool-room temperatures. As product is put into storage it is checked over a final time for quality. Once again, poor quality product will be rejected and samples taken. Random batch samples are also taken for laboratory analysis to ensure quality.

Our harvesters are all local people who grew up experiencing “the bush”. They come to us with years of personal experience.

Training – We are serious about having highly-trained harvesters at Boreal Heartland. The Boreal Heartland Harvester training Course has been established to teach our harvesters wilderness safety, plant identification, product handling and care. Many of our harvesters also complete the Good Agricultural Collection Practice (GACP) certificate through the Herb, Spice & Specialty Agriculture Association. (HSSA)

Harvesting – Locally trained and knowledgeable harvesters collect our required herbaceous plants (eg. Fireweed) and fungi (golden chanterelle mushrooms).

Receiving/Purchasing – The herbs are bought from the harvesters by Boreal Heartland directly. We carefully check the product to make sure it is the correct species and that it is in good condition, and we will reject anything that falls below our high standard. We are proud that, because of our knowledgeable and competent harvesters, product rejection doesn’t happen often.