Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs presentation
Mountain Rose Herbs has cultivated a reputation for exceptional organic botanicals since Rosemary Gladstar founded the company in 1987. What began as a modest operation serving herbal students in Northern California has evolved into a certified organic processor offering premium matcha and over 800 botanical products, all while maintaining unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical sourcing practices.
From Humble Roots to Industry Leader
The company’s transformation accelerated under Julie Bailey’s stewardship from 1991 to 2020, establishing rigorous sustainable harvesting guidelines. When Shawn Donnille joined in 2000, Mountain Rose Herbs pioneered organic certification through Oregon Tilth in 2002. The relocation to Eugene, Oregon positioned the company closer to farm operations while enabling direct relationships with growers worldwide.
In 2016, Mountain Rose Herbs became Oregon’s first TRUE Zero-Waste Facility with Platinum certification. This achievement reflects a fundamental operational philosophy: redesigning processes to eliminate waste rather than simply managing it. The 2020 consolidation into a 12-acre Eugene campus further reduced the company’s carbon footprint while enhancing efficiency.
Ceremonial-Grade Matcha from Kyoto
The company sources its ceremonial matcha directly from Kyoto Prefecture’s Wazuka region, where ideal climate and soil conditions produce exceptional tea. In June 2023, company representatives visited their farm partners to witness firsthand the transformation of shade-grown leaves into vibrant powder. This direct relationship ensures quality while supporting traditional Japanese tea cultivation methods.
Available in convenient 3 oz. retail jars and 1 lb. sizes, the organic matcha exhibits characteristic vibrant green color, smooth texture, and balanced flavor profile suitable for both traditional tea ceremonies and contemporary culinary applications. The powder delivers a clean energy boost with L-Theanine’s calming properties, making it ideal for mindful consumption.
Comprehensive Quality Standards
Mountain Rose Herbs subjects every botanical to rigorous testing for identity, microbial contamination, and chemical purity. Multiple certifications—including USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade, FairWild, and Earth Kosher—demonstrate the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As an Oregon Benefit Company, Mountain Rose Herbs prioritizes environmental and social impact over profit maximization. This structure enables long-term decisions benefiting customers, employees, and ecosystems rather than shareholder demands. The independently-owned status preserves this mission-driven approach, ensuring quality and sustainability remain paramount in every decision.
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Matcha produced by Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs offers a comprehensive selection of organic matcha products sourced directly from Japan’s renowned tea-growing regions. Their commitment to quality and sustainability shines through their carefully curated matcha collection.
Premium Matcha Products
Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea represents the highest quality offering, featuring a smooth, delicate flavor profile with vibrant green color characteristic of shade-grown tea leaves. This premium matcha is available in convenient 3 oz. retail jars and larger 1 lb. sizes for serious enthusiasts and commercial use.
The Botanical Lucidity Japanese Matcha Elixir combines ceremonial-grade matcha (ceremonial grade) with maca root, creating a unique blend designed to provide mellow energy boost and mental clarity. Simply add one packet to 6 oz. of hot liquid and stir, or pour over ice for a refreshing cold preparation.
Mycobrew Matcha represents an innovative approach, blending traditional matcha with medicinal mushrooms for enhanced health benefits, appealing to modern wellness enthusiasts seeking functional beverages.
Traditional Preparation Tools
Mountain Rose Herbs offers complete Matcha Sets that include authentic preparation tools: handmade ceramic bowls from Japan, traditional bamboo whisks (chasen) made in China, and bamboo spoons (chashaku). Individual Matcha Whisks are also available for those building their tea ceremony collection.
Quality Characteristics
All matcha products feature certified organic status and exhibit the hallmarks of premium quality: vibrant green color, smoky and nutty flavor notes, and excellent foaming ability when properly whisked. The characteristic slight bitterness indicates authentic, high-quality matcha suitable for both traditional preparation and culinary applications including lattes, smoothies, and baked goods.
History of Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs began as a vision to bridge traditional herbalism with modern sustainable business practices. Founded in 1987 by Rosemary Gladstar, known as the “godmother of modern herbalism,” the company started in Northern California to provide high-quality herbs to students at the California School of Herbal Studies.
The company’s transformation accelerated under Julie Bailey’s leadership from 1991 to 2020. Bailey purchased the small herbal business from Gladstar and operated it from her home in Humboldt County, California. She developed rigorous guidelines for sustainable wild harvesting and moved operations to North San Juan, California in 1997 to accommodate growth.
A pivotal era began when Shawn Donnille joined in 2000 and became part owner in 2001. Donnille spearheaded the company’s organic certification through Oregon Tilth in 2002, transforming Mountain Rose Herbs into a certified organic processor. He relocated the company to Pleasant Hill, Oregon in 2001 to be closer to farm operations and established the first company website for online sales.
The company’s commitment to sustainability earned recognition through multiple certifications. Mountain Rose Herbs became the first Oregon company to receive TRUE Zero Waste Facility Certification with Platinum status, adopting its zero-waste policy in 2007. In 2014, they became the first Eugene area business to receive Salmon-Safe certification.
Their matcha sourcing reflects this commitment to quality and ethics. Mountain Rose Herbs sources ceremonial grade matcha from the Kyoto Prefecture in Japan, specifically from Wazuka, renowned for ideal climate and soil conditions. In June 2023, company representatives visited their farm partners in Wazuka to observe the tea leaves’ transformation into matcha powder, emphasizing their direct relationships with growers.
Recent developments include the December 2020 purchase of the Phoenix Industrial Park in Eugene to consolidate six facilities into one 12-acre campus, reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Leadership transitioned in 2023 when Cameron Stearns became CEO, with Donnille remaining as Owner and President.
5 events from Mountain Rose Herbs's history
January 1987
Company Founded by Rosemary Gladstar
Rosemary Gladstar, the ‘godmother of modern herbalism,’ established Mountain Rose Herbs in Northern California to provide high-quality herbs to students at the California School of Herbal Studies, emphasizing education and sustainable practices from the beginning.
January 1991
Julie Bailey Acquires Company
Julie Bailey purchased the small herbal business from Rosemary Gladstar and began running it from her home in Humboldt County, California, focusing on developing natural products and implementing rigorous sustainable wild harvesting guidelines.
January 2001
Shawn Donnille Becomes Part Owner and Relocates to Oregon
Shawn Donnille joined as part owner and moved the company to Pleasant Hill, Oregon, to be closer to farm operations, wild harvesters, and processors, leading to the creation of a full-time laboratory and quality control department.
January 2002
Organic Certification Achievement
Under Shawn Donnille’s leadership, Mountain Rose Herbs obtained organic certification through Oregon Tilth, transforming the company into a certified organic processor and solidifying its commitment to organic agriculture practices.
December 2020
Phoenix Industrial Park Campus Consolidation
Mountain Rose Herbs purchased the Phoenix Industrial Park in Eugene to consolidate its six facilities into one 12-acre campus, significantly reducing the business’s carbon footprint and streamlining operations under one roof.
Gallery and medias
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Frequent questions
Find below some answers to the most common questions about Mountain Rose Herbs.
What's the difference between Mountain Rose Herbs' Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea and their Matcha Elixir?
Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea is pure, organic matcha powder sourced from Wazuka in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture. This traditional matcha has a smooth, delicate flavor with smoky, nutty notes and vibrant green color – perfect for traditional tea ceremonies.
The Matcha Elixir combines this same ceremonial-grade matcha with maca root to create a convenient single-serving packet. It’s designed for a mellow energy boost and mental clarity, and you simply add one packet to 6 oz. of hot liquid. This blend offers the benefits of both matcha and adaptogenic maca in one product.
Does Mountain Rose Herbs offer matcha preparation tools, and where are they made?
Yes, Mountain Rose Herbs offers complete Matcha Sets that include all traditional preparation tools:
- Handmade ceramic bowl from Japan
- Bamboo whisk (chasen) made in China
- Bamboo spoon (chashaku)
They also sell individual Matcha Whisks separately. These traditional bamboo whisks are essential for properly blending matcha powder with hot water to achieve the characteristic frothy consistency.
Why does Mountain Rose Herbs source their matcha specifically from Wazuka in Kyoto Prefecture?
Mountain Rose Herbs chose Wazuka in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture because this region offers ideal climate and soil conditions for growing high-quality green tea. The company maintains direct relationships with their farm partners there – in June 2023, Mountain Rose Herbs representatives actually visited Wazuka to observe the tea leaves’ transformation into matcha powder.
This shade-grown matcha from Wazuka increases chlorophyll content and produces the vibrant green color that Mountain Rose Herbs’ ceremonial grade matcha is known for. The direct partnership ensures quality control and supports their commitment to ethical sourcing.
What makes Mountain Rose Herbs' Mycobrew Matcha different from their other matcha products?
Mycobrew Matcha is a unique blend that combines traditional matcha with medicinal mushrooms for added health benefits. This sets it apart from their pure Ceremonial Grade Matcha Tea and their Matcha Elixir (which contains maca root).
While their ceremonial grade focuses on traditional preparation and the elixir emphasizes energy and mental clarity, Mycobrew Matcha targets customers interested in the functional benefits of both matcha and mushroom compounds in a single product.
How does Mountain Rose Herbs' zero waste certification affect their matcha packaging and operations?
Mountain Rose Herbs was the first Oregon company to receive TRUE Zero Waste Facility Certification from Green Business Certification Inc., achieving Platinum status. This means they divert at least 90% of non-hazardous waste from landfills and incineration.
For their matcha products, this certification ensures that packaging materials are chosen with sustainability in mind, and any production waste is properly recycled or repurposed. The company adopted its zero-waste policy in 2007, so this environmental commitment has been integrated into their matcha sourcing and packaging processes for nearly two decades.
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