Reem notes, are either made out of
petroleum-based nylon or bio-based
plastics made from genetically modified corn. The eco-audit from the Environmental Defense Fund found on
the bottom panel shows the waste reduced due to eco-initiatives, for example, requiring suppliers to ship in
containers made from post-consumer
recycled materials and use biodegradable packing peanuts. Numi also
worked with suppliers on several continents to consolidate materials and
freight through central locations to
eliminate unnecessary pollution and
wasted energy.
Ever Evolving
Numi is always looking for new ways
to create products or solutions that are
either more pleasing to the palate
and/or better for the planet and peo-
ple. This year, they are launching two
new decaffeinated teas, which incorporate an innovative CO2 decaffeination
process. According to Reem, most conventional tea companies use a solvent to
decaffeinate tea, or many organic and natural teas may use a Swiss process
where it is steamed for 30 seconds to release the caffeine and then dried again.
The problem with this, she says, is that along with the caffeine, many of the an-
tioxidants and much of the flavor is also released in the first 30 seconds. With
the CO2 process, tea is placed in a pressurized chamber, carbon dioxide, an
inert gas, is pumped in and locks on and extracts the caffeine from the tea
leaves. This process is generally known to retain as much as 90 percent of
polyphenols.
Kat Schuett is the editorial director of Organic Processing Magazine. You can reach her at
kat@organicprocessing.com.
