On this episode, I’m joined by Kristina Tucker, the longtime Minister of Enlightenment at The Republic of Tea.

We explore the brand’s 30-year journey from launching the first certified Organic tea in 2003 to piloting new Regenerative Organic Certified® SKUs today. Kristina shares how the company sources over 400 teas and herbs from more than 80 growing regions, and what it takes to balance innovation, ingredient integrity, and supply chain complexity at scale.

We dive into how regenerative fits into their historical sourcing evolution — from organic to biodynamic to ROC™ — and why the brand is taking a thoughtful, "wait and learn" approach to rolling out regenerative products across their massive catalog.

You’ll also hear about the product, packaging, and business decisions that have contributed to their success and longevity in the tea category, their super unique fax-based origin story, and their commitment to supporting smallholder farmers across the globe.

So pour yourself something to sip on and get ready to learn about this Republic and its Ministers, Ambassadors, Citizens, and Embassies.

Episode Highlights:

🌿 Launching the first certified Organic tea in 2003

📦 Sourcing 400+ teas and herbs from over 80 growing regions

🌍 Why they have Ministers, Ambassadors, Citizens, and Embassies

🌱 Introducing 3 new Regenerative Organic Certified® SKUs

🧑‍🌾 Supporting smallholder, single-origin herb farmers across the globe

🌾 Navigating volume constraints to responsibly scale regen sourcing

🫖 Delivering 30+ servings per SKU in shelf-efficient steel tins

📊 Offering customizable assortments for retail partners

📈 Launching 10–20 new SKUs annually

👏 Supporting female farmer leadership in Sri Lanka

Links:

The Republic of Tea

Ministers, Ambassadors, Citizens, and Embassies

The Republic of Tea Book

Regenerative Organic Certified®

Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP)

Women of Tea Sri Lanka Program

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