FAQ

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GENERAL

Glad you asked: Please start by reviewing all info on this website and doing your homework. Order samples and try brands of samples of teas that you prefer to start to understand teas vs. botanicals, and what you prefer for your brand and vision. Make sure to have your Technical Specifications ready before you ask "how much does this cost". We really can't price out your brand unless you tell us exactly what you are looking to do. We also need an idea of your budget ahead of time so we can help you find your way faster in this process. Link to more information HERE.
Yes, we offer custom formulation and blends. We offer consulting services to aid you in the creation of your own product or blend. Click here to get started.  
Here are general steeping times. With blends, it can be tricky - it is a proprietary decision. You can go with top ingredient and use that steeping temp and time, or a generic recommendation and then state - "to taste".

Like 209-212 degrees with 3-5 minutes or to desired color/taste. 
 Types of Tea  Steeping Time  Water Temp.
 White Teas  3 Minutes  160-170 F
 Japanese Green Tea   3 Minutes  170-180 F
 Other Green Teas   3 - 4 Minutes   170-180 F
 Oolongs   4 Minutes  170-180 F
 Black Teas   3 Minutes  212 F
 Pu-Erh Teas 3 Minutes   212 F
 Herbal Tisanes   7 Minutes  212 F
This would depend on your packaging. Teas do not go bad, flavor just goes flat. Usually 2-3 years is recommended depending on ingredients used.
Any blend that states Organic is certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. We can add your label to our NOP if your brand needs to be certified. This is done in the Private Labelling process and should be discuss ahead of time.
Samples are 15 grams. Place order for a sample for testing for your organoleptic or lab approval. If you need a lot specific sample, please indicate this on your order and note that you need the blend shipped after your lot pre-shipment sample has been approved. Your shipment is held for your approval, then shipped upon your release.
Just like any natural food product you may buy – such as yogurt, cereal, waters – teas can be flavored with natural fruit derivatives. We use only Natural Flavors – a flavor derived 100% from the title material and/or Organic Certified flavors on our Organic Blends. N&A flavors available on request.  Find more interesting info on tea flavoring here: Natural flavors and essential oils in tea
Technically, by industry standards - teas (all cuts) and specialty teas (loose leaf) are from the Camellia Sinensis plant. This plant is grown in subtropical areas such as: India, Sri Lanka, Argentina (commodity type grades), China, Nepal (small and specialty), Japan, Taiwan, Korea (small), and Papua New Guinea (small) - to name a few. The manufacturing process is what makes teas - tea bag cut, fanning, CTC, or loose / whole leaf in green, oolong, black, pu'er / puerh / pu-erh, or white tea. Now yellow and purple too. Herbs and botanicals range from common to rare, obscure, and wild crafted. Many herbs add function (such as American-ginseng or turmeric) or value addition in color (such as flowers), and some add flavor (such as mint or lemongrass). Some botanicals that are herbs that may be categorized as a tisane - which is fruit, flowers, and herbs. Herbs that have “caffeine like” amino acid energy and can be used for accents, value additions, or bases to blends are yerba mate (green or roasted) and guayusa. Some naturally do not have caffeine such as hibiscus, Rooibos, and Moringa. Value additions such as fruit pieces and flowers do not add much flavor to the cup but accent the look and are beneficial in helping us create something beautiful to drink, that can take help substitute a less than ideal habit of drinking too much juice or soda.

SHIPPING & PAYMENTS

This would depend on the scope of your project. Private label packaging and blending starts once all items are approved and in house which can be 3-6 weeks. Organic certifications of your label add time 2-3 weeks or more.
Intercontinental US shipments are shipped via Fed Ex for Ground or LTL. For shipments out of Continental US and out of the Country: Pay and Check out then please forward your paperwork requirements to sales@buildablend.com. We ready your shipment and your company handles the pick up and delivery; For instance: AU it is usually only a Declaration Statement. Check with your carrier / freight forwarder and customs for all details and documents needed, and put those on the details to us in check out. Special paperwork requirements or permits may be additional fees, we will discuss prior to shipping for your approval first.
4 interest-free payments. Split your purchase into 4 payments with no impact on credit score and no late fees.

1) Choose PayPal at checkout to pay later with Pay in 4.

2) Complete your purchase with a 25% down payment.

3) Use autopay for the rest of your payments. It’s easy!

Pay in 4 is available to consumers upon approval for purchases of $30-$1,500. Pay in 4 is not currently available to residents of Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wisconsin, or any U.S. Territories.

Offer availability depends on the merchant and also may not be available for certain recurring, subscription services.​ When applying, a soft credit check may be needed, but will not affect your credit score.​

You must be of legal age in your U.S. state of residence to use Pay in 4.​ Loans to California residents are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law License.​ PayPal, Inc. is a Georgia Installment Lender Licensee, NMLS #910457.​ Rhode Island Small Loan Lender Licensee.
Wire, check online, credit card (when invoiced). Online orders are credit card and Paypal.

PRIVATE LABEL

Glad you asked: Please start by reviewing all info on this website and doing your homework. Order samples and try brands of samples of teas that you prefer to start to understand teas vs. botanicals, and what you prefer for your brand and vision. Make sure to have your Technical Specifications ready before you ask "how much does this cost". We really can't price out your brand unless you tell us exactly what you are looking to do. We also need an idea of your budget ahead of time so we can help you find your way faster in this process. Link to more information HERE.
You need not worry - we'll work with you to plan for scale and success in the beginning.  For example, let's say you need to “contract” to help plan your blend - this would usually be 500 lbs and over, depending on ingredients. In the formulation portion of your blend creation, you'll want to think about some important factors BEFORE you create your blend:
  1. The more ingredients - the higher the chance for an ingredient not to be in season or a problem to scale > try to understand the seasonality of these ingredients, or their ability to scale. Remember we work with plants that have seasons and come from the ground, and some are imported.
  2. Try to keep ingredients to under 6 components, if you can. Working with our experts helps, although we all can only do our best in predicting market availability and timing.
  3. Consider using our Consulting services. What will be your final unit - what channel? What is your price point target per unit? What is taste? Function? What certifications will it need? (Of course, this is a great problem to have and no one has the crystal ball to source and plan perfectly - so financing may be critical for you to stock ahead.)
For best pricing MOQ's start at 50 lbs per blend for our blends and would depend on how you are packaging, however we can quote 6 lbs of our house teas and/or wellness teas in stand up labelled pouches with in house art work as well.
Any blend that states Organic is certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. We can add your label to our NOP if your brand needs to be certified. This is done in the Private Labelling process and should be discuss ahead of time.
This is taken care of by your brand and your preferred lab and desired information. We provide Specification Sheets, and any documentation needed can be requested. Extensive nutritional panel testing is taken care of by your brand and your preferred lab and desired information.
Pyramid bags are sugarcane PLA. We offer Kraft paper bags and Paper Canisters. This really depends on the storage need, your brand policies, and shelf life desired for your product.