Ethical Sourcing Harmony with Nature
Supporting Local Traditions Sustainable, Sacred Agriculture Terra Tea collaborates with the local community to preserve rice tea-making traditions. A traditional practice involves roasting red rice over a wood stove for enhanced fragrance. Focusing on local traditions results in small batch production by Terra Tea and local tea makers. To honor nature’s rhythms, Nyepi, a day of silence, occurs after planting and before harvesting, with rituals at Bedugul temple. Balinese farmers honor Sri Dewi and Sri Uma, the goddesses of agriculture, at key farming stages. Each farming step reflects respect for Mother Nature, infusing local spirit into the rice. We build strong relationships with the Jatiluwih community by visiting local farmers and their homes. Purchasing Terra Tea supports the livelihoods of smallholder and family farms in Jatiluwih. We honor Balinese traditions by learning from locals and sharing their culture globally. Sharing Terra Tea offers a taste of health and tranquility, along with Bali's rich culture and wisdom. Promoting Local Culture 1 2 3
From Fields to Table In January, planting begins with a ceremonial prayer by the village head, known as magpag toye, before opening the river dam for irrigation. Following this, the farmers observe three days of silence for nature to rest. Farmers then prepare their rice nursery by selecting and soaking seeds for three nights to promote root growth, followed by ngabut bulih, where seeds are manually transplanted into the fields when ready. Nandur: The Planting of Rice Seedlings
The rice harvest is a vibrant communal event occurring from July to August during the dry season, when landscapes turn golden. Farmers hand-harvest stalks using traditional sickles, also known as ani-ani, each gathering up to 150 kg daily. The harvest is also deeply spiritual, involving prayers before and after, followed by two days of silence. Harvest: Individual Stalk Cutting by Hand
Experience Red Rice Tea These rice grains are processed in small factory machines to separate grain from straw, dried, and milled to remove husk. They are then hand-roasted over a firewood stove using traditional Balinese methods. Our red rice tea is made in small batches by smallholder farmers to ensure high quality and respect for local traditions. Artisanal Rice Tea: Refining and Hand Roasting to Perfection