In this series, we take a look at the amazing work being accomplished by members of our community. These are the game-changers, the inspirational leaders, and the passion-driven individuals who are changing our community, our health and our planet.
A: Hi! I’m Jennifer, Founder + CEO at Pluck Tea. I’m also a Certified Tea Sommelier.
A: Back when I started the company in 2012, restaurant tea was out of step with current trends, and generally was treated as an afterthought on the menu. On the other hand, coffee service had drastically improved at that point. Tea drinkers were being left out in the cold… and someone had to fix it! As a Certified Tea Sommelier and student of the culinary arts, I felt uniquely qualified.
Early on, I decided to source as many ingredients as possible from local farms and purveyors. Today we are proud to have many blends that highlight locally grown and Canadian grown ingredients, as well as several upcycled ingredients such as cacao shells and citrus peel.
At Pluck we hand-blend and pack our teas in our own SQF certified facility in midtown Toronto.
A: We source teas directly from sustainable tea farms around the world. Let me give you a couple of examples. Our Pekoe black teas are sourced exclusively from Rwanda Mountain Tea - from an organic and Rainforest Alliance certified grower. As a key part of that partnership, we donate $.50 per KG back to the community to support free education for the children of the tea workers, as well as clean water initiatives.
Our Matcha is sourced from Kyushu island at the Southern tip of Japan, also from an organic and Rainforest Alliance certified source. They are great innovators in the green tea space, and have even created a machine that simulates a cyclone to help control insects - rather than using chemicals. They are also excellent Karaoke singers.
In terms of sourcing (and actually all things at Pluck) we are guided by the principle of Tea for Good. We seek meaningful partnerships that ensure excellent and consistent quality, and that leave the world a better place.
A: First of all, we are so thrilled to be partnering with Impact Kitchen! Your commitment to quality, flavour, sustainability, and to your customers health and well being is in complete alignment with ours.
We love exploring new ways to include tea on the menu - whether it’s a seasonal latte, matcha infused dessert, or refreshing iced option. Can’t wait to roll up our sleeves in the kitchen with you!
A: I am most proud of our team of ten tea makers. Many employees at Pluck have been here several years, and several have remarked that the company feels like family.
A: We are really excited to launch some new spring blends, and to dive into some new tea recipe development projects. We’re all about innovation around here.
A: Hi! I’m Jennifer, Founder + CEO at Pluck Tea. I’m also a Certified Tea Sommelier.
A: Back when I started the company in 2012, restaurant tea was out of step with current trends, and generally was treated as an afterthought on the menu. On the other hand, coffee service had drastically improved at that point. Tea drinkers were being left out in the cold… and someone had to fix it! As a Certified Tea Sommelier and student of the culinary arts, I felt uniquely qualified.
Early on, I decided to source as many ingredients as possible from local farms and purveyors. Today we are proud to have many blends that highlight locally grown and Canadian grown ingredients, as well as several upcycled ingredients such as cacao shells and citrus peel.
At Pluck we hand-blend and pack our teas in our own SQF certified facility in midtown Toronto.
A: We source teas directly from sustainable tea farms around the world. Let me give you a couple of examples. Our Pekoe black teas are sourced exclusively from Rwanda Mountain Tea - from an organic and Rainforest Alliance certified grower. As a key part of that partnership, we donate $.50 per KG back to the community to support free education for the children of the tea workers, as well as clean water initiatives.
Our Matcha is sourced from Kyushu island at the Southern tip of Japan, also from an organic and Rainforest Alliance certified source. They are great innovators in the green tea space, and have even created a machine that simulates a cyclone to help control insects - rather than using chemicals. They are also excellent Karaoke singers.
In terms of sourcing (and actually all things at Pluck) we are guided by the principle of Tea for Good. We seek meaningful partnerships that ensure excellent and consistent quality, and that leave the world a better place.
A: First of all, we are so thrilled to be partnering with Impact Kitchen! Your commitment to quality, flavour, sustainability, and to your customers health and well being is in complete alignment with ours.
We love exploring new ways to include tea on the menu - whether it’s a seasonal latte, matcha infused dessert, or refreshing iced option. Can’t wait to roll up our sleeves in the kitchen with you!
A: I am most proud of our team of ten tea makers. Many employees at Pluck have been here several years, and several have remarked that the company feels like family.
A: We are really excited to launch some new spring blends, and to dive into some new tea recipe development projects. We’re all about innovation around here.
A: Pluck participates in many fundraisers around the year in support of food banks such as Daily Bread and The Stop. As a company with sustainability always in mind, we are constantly looking for new supply chain loops to reduce our carbon footprint and integrate more upcycled and locally grown ingredients. We also support local businesses by keeping our packaging, design, and creative agency dollars in Canada (rather than employing remote workers outside of the country).
A: From a personal perspective, I truly believe that the small stuff stacks up. Little decisions over time, and small acts of kindness can have a big impact! More broadly, I know that tea plays an important role in providing balance to our customer’s day. A breather, a pause, and a delicious analog moment. It is our mission to make this world a better place, one cup of tea at a time.
We look forward to introducing you to more members of our community who are making an Impact every day.
