Hometown of ShanCha®              – Our Origins         

Hidden deep in the Dabie Mountains, Zhouhe Village of Xin County is the exclusive site that ShanCha® Inc. collects raw materials to make camellia oil. Mountains, trees, streams and villages comprise a picturesque view of the countryside. The locals that have been living here for 25 generations take care of the land the way their parents taught them to as they rely on the unique natural environment that grows the rare camellia trees for their livelihood. Over the past centuries, they have hand-picked the seeds, de-shelled, sorted, dried, crushed, steamed and filtered.  With faces glistening with sweat, the working people look like characters in an old painting that depicts country life.

Today, modern technology has been integrated into the ancient methods. The magical beauty of camellia is gradually revealed to the world. People here still go back to the oil mill annually to continue the tradition of oil making. The tools they use are made out of wood to beat the press down. After repeated strikes, gaps form and require more wooden sticks to be added. The process is repeated over and over and when the first drop of oil finally comes down, their faces are filled with joy. 

This practice has become a ritual. Out of respect for their ancestors, these skills will be passed down generation after generation, endlessly.

Between Two Rivers – Location

Camellia is so rare and unique because it needs specific climate and environmental conditions to grow in. Xin County is the northernmost region of naturally growing camellia trees; located at 31.3 degrees latitude north, stretched along the Dabie Mountains. It’s the watershed for China's two major rivers, the Yangtze River and Huai River, at an altitude of 200-300 meters. Abundant rainfall, adequate sunlight, and interleaving north and south climates provide the ideal micro ecosystem for camellia growth.

ShanCha® Inc. owns 33,000 acres of natural wild camellia trees; located in the windward, sunny side of the cold mountain. Situated among several overlapping peaks that have pure soil and pollution-free water, it is completely natural. Because of these favorable conditions, there is no need for watering due to the abundant rain fall, no need for fertilizer because of the nutrient rich soil, and no need for pesticides because camellia trees have natural, insect repelling properties. With four distinct seasons, warm sunshine, and a long grow season without frost, camellia can grow freely. The seeds mature through fall, winter, spring, summer and then fall again. They are black and packed solid, full of oil.

Raw Materials

• We only use the harvested raw materials from the camellia trees in the hillsides of Xin County where it’s most suitable for camellia growth.
• We patiently let nature take care of our trees, allowing more than 13 months for the seeds to mature naturally.
• We use local farmers to hand pick the fruits and de-shell them. Machines are never used in the harvesting stages to ensure purity and keep all of the nutrients intact.
• We take our time in the drying process by letting the seeds sun dry naturally to retain nutrients.

Lifestyle

ShanCha Inc. has thirty three thousand acres of natural wild camellia forest as our production base. We insist on exclusively using the cold-press method, yielding only 5,000 tons per year of extra virgin organic camellia oil. Even though cold-pressing accounts for limited resources and high cost as we can only meet the demands of 185,000 VIP members globally, this method guarantees optimum quality camellia oil.

Our customers have exquisite taste and high values, placing the same amount on emphasis on the spiritual aspects of life as the material. As cultured and socially responsible individuals, they form the backbone of society and seek to protect the environment and promote sustainable living and healthy lifestyles.

We are committed to fitting the needs of our consumers around the world with our special products, customized services, and other services like health keeper to protect the integrity of ShanCha and establish a long-lasting relationship with our consumers. 

The First Brand being
Certified Organic by
Both China and the US

ShanCha® is a subsidiary company of the well-known LingRui Group. ShanCha® Camellia Oil is produced under the supervision of the LingRui Group and is manufactured by Lvda®, which is also a subsidiary of LingRui Group.

The raw materials used to produce ShanCha® Camellia Oil come from Xin County in the Dabie Mountains; the same place where the production base is located. This region is a designated Ecological Conservation Area. The raw materials come from 33,000 pollution-free acres of ancient wild growth camellia trees. ShanCha® exclusively utilizes the cold press method in the production process and no additives are ever used. This practice ensures the purest oil quality. After receiving the Certification of Organic Products from China, an organic certification was also granted by FDA in the US. ShanCha® Camellia Oil is the first camellia oil product to attain certifications by both the United States and China. 

Both certifications were given by the Organic Food Development and Certification Center of China (OFDC), a reputable agency backed by the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA), China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), International Federal of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), and Good Agricultural Practice (GAP).

As the only internationally credited certification center in China, the OFDC is responsible for the certification process in China in compliance with the NOP. Certified products can be exported to the United States and other regions where the NOP is recognized.

Related Standards for NOP

The organic crop production standards require that: 

Land must have had no prohibited substances applied for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop. 

• Soil fertility and crop nutrients must be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. 
• Crop pests, weeds, and diseases must be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. 
• Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. 
• The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.

Required Handling Standards: 

• All non-agricultural ingredients, whether synthetic or non-synthetic, must be allowed per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. 
• In a multi-ingredient product labeled as “organic,” all agricultural ingredients must be organically produced, unless the ingredient(s) is not commercially available in organic form and listed on Section 205.606. 
• Handlers must prevent the commingling of organic with non-organic products and protect organic products from contact with prohibited substances. 

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According to the ‘National Standards for Organic Products GB/T19630’, the Certification of Organic Products in China is based from international standards with an added emphasis on prohibiting polluting materials and the harm caused in surrounding areas with such materials. Standards focus especially on the record keeping and tracking abilities. Certified products can be sold as organic products in China.

Before the certifications were issued, ShanCha® Camellia Oil was registered with the FDA on a pending status. The new registration was issued November 2nd, 2016, with an expiration date of December 31st, 2018.