Summary:

In this episode of The Produce Moms Podcast, host Lori Taylor welcomes Jennifer Martinez, Founder of Elevation Tea Company, for a unique and interactive conversation about tea, specialty agriculture, and the California-grown ingredients that make Elevation Tea Company stand out.

Inspired by the idea of experiencing tea the way you might experience wine, Jennifer shares how her journey led her from commodity-style tea sourcing to working directly with small, mostly family-owned tea farms around the world. She explains why specialty-grade tea leaves matter, how sourcing relationships have changed the way she approaches the business, and how Elevation Tea Company is bringing California agriculture into its blends.

Lori and Jennifer explore the California Collection through a guided tea tasting featuring four blends: Sierra Sunrise, Pacific Bloom, Mojave Sage, and Golden State Chai. Jennifer walks Lori through the differences between tea varieties and blends, proper brewing temperatures and steeping times, caffeine levels, and the unique flavor profiles and agricultural ingredients found in each cup.

From California orange peel, peach, spearmint, and olive leaf to Nepalese lemongrass, Kenyan purple tea, hibiscus, passion fruit, and fermented pu-erh tea, the conversation highlights the incredible diversity of plants and agricultural products that can come together to create a memorable beverage experience.

Whether you’re a longtime tea drinker, a dedicated coffee drinker curious about making the switch, or simply interested in discovering new ways to appreciate agriculture through food and beverage, this episode offers a flavorful introduction to the world of specialty tea.

Takeaways:

• Elevation Tea Company was founded by Jennifer Martinez in 2018 with a focus on creating specialty tea blends.
• Jennifer’s sourcing philosophy evolved toward working directly with small, mostly family-owned tea farms.
• Specialty-grade, orthodox tea leaves provide the foundation for Elevation Tea Company’s blends.
• The California Collection draws inspiration from California’s agriculture, landscapes, and natural beauty.
• Many Elevation Tea Company blends incorporate California-grown herbs and agricultural ingredients.
• Sierra Sunrise combines Nepalese green tea with California orange peel, orange oil, and peach for a bright, citrus-forward flavor.
• Green tea is best brewed at a lower temperature—approximately 175–185°F—to help prevent bitterness.
• Pacific Bloom features rare Kenyan purple tea alongside hibiscus, rose hip, butterfly pea flower, and passion fruit.
• Kenyan purple tea is naturally rich in antioxidants and gives Pacific Bloom its beautiful color and distinctive character.
• Mojave Sage is a caffeine-free herbal blend featuring California spearmint, California olive leaf, sage, and Nepalese lemongrass.
• Olive leaves are rich in polyphenols and offer a subtle, floral quality to the Mojave Sage blend.
• Golden State Chai combines green tea and fermented pu-erh tea with ingredients including Nepalese ginger, Siberian ginseng, and ginkgo biloba.
• Pu-erh is a fermented tea that offers a bold, earthy flavor profile and makes Golden State Chai a natural option for coffee drinkers looking for a robust alternative.
• Tea and coffee can contain similar amounts of caffeine by weight, but a typical cup of coffee uses significantly more coffee beans than tea leaves.
• Herbal teas are more forgiving when it comes to steeping time and can continue to steep without developing the same bitterness as traditional tea leaves.
• Tea can be enjoyed as more than a daily beverage—it can be approached as a tasting experience similar to wine.
• Elevation Tea Company encourages consumers to explore tea’s flavor notes, origins, and agricultural story.
• A guided tea tasting can be a fun, alcohol-free option for entertaining, gifting, and holiday gatherings.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Jennifer Martinez of Elevation Tea Company

02:15 – Jennifer’s Journey & The Story Behind Elevation Tea Company

04:30 – Sourcing Specialty Tea from Small Family-Owned Farms

06:28 – Elevation Tea Company’s California Agriculture Connection

08:16 – Introducing the California Collection

08:35 – Sierra Sunrise: Nepalese Green Tea, Orange & Peach

11:19 – Pacific Bloom & The Rare Kenyan Purple Tea

14:08 – Mojave Sage: California Herbs & Caffeine-Free Tea

16:26 – Golden State Chai: A Bold Alternative for Coffee Drinkers

18:30 – Setting Up a Tea Tasting Experience

19:22 – Tasting Sierra Sunrise

21:01 – Tasting Pacific Bloom

22:34 – Tasting Golden State Chai

26:26 – Exploring the Mojave Sage Blend

29:07 – How to Experience & Shop Elevation Tea Company

31:29 – Tea as a Wine-Tasting Experience

32:10 – Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks

Resources:

Website: Elevation Tea Company | High Elevation Teas from Kenya, Colombia, Peru, Nepal, Kilimanjaro & Malawi 

Facebook: Elevation Tea Company | Camino CA | Facebook 

Instagram: Elevation Tea Company (@elevationteaco) • Instagram photos and videos