Conscious sourcing
A harmonious and ethical relationship between people and Earth,
centered on mutual nurturing rather than exploiting resources and labour
Ayamani Naturals Lotus flowers, including blue lotus, pink lotus, red lotus and white lotus, as some of the OG staple ingredients for my herbal products, are ethically and sustainably sourced from Thailand. My supplier is an incredibly friendly man, who works in personal direct contact with a community of small farmers, under the Small Farmers Green Association Partnership.
The SFGA is focussed on supporting small-scale farmers in tropical regions who first-hand experience the hardships of climate change in their harvests, safeguarding the stability of their income and mitigating their vulnerability.
SFGA promotes sustainable farming and permaculture, ensuring resilience of production and the protection of the land and waters, and because of their efforts to harmonize and preserve there is no need for pesticides or chemical ferzilizers.
Compliance with organic principles is further ensured through inspections and laboratory analyses, and measures to minimize carbon footprint with smarter logistic functions are also implemented.
This has been my long-standing supplier and has always delivered the highest quality, his dedication, knowledge and personal involvement in the field have my complete trust and appreciation.
SOURCING blue lotus
sourcing cacao
At the heart of Ayamani Naturals’ cacao sourcing is a deep desire to provide wholesome products that connect us to the beauty and gifts of nature, rather harming her in the process of and only taking from her.
The cacao industry is notorious for its tendency to be unethical and exploitative on many fronts. After countless searches, I’m so happy to say that I’ve finally found two wonderful suppliers with strong integrity, dedicated to respecting both nature and people, offering a product born from mutual care rather than exploitation.
I source my premium Criollo cacao paste blocks from a trustworthy Europe-based supplier who works directly with farming families in the Amazon rainforest, specifically around Pucallpa, Peru. This company of passionate people is devoted to sustainability, fair trade, and the empowerment of smallholder farmers. I am so happy to say that this collaboration supports sustainable agroforestry and strengthens local communities through ethical practices.
The cacao is grown using permaculture methods in one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. By promoting mixed cultivation, where cacao trees grow alongside other fruit trees and tall timber, this approach mimics its natural environment and enhances biodiversity. This not only improves the health of the crops but also boosts CO2 absorption, making the sourcing process not only environmentally sustainable, but also environmentally nurturing.
My supply partner pays farmers well above the industry average, fostering fair economic growth in local communities. Some of the main values and practices fostered by this company contribute to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, and No Poverty. The goal is to drive long-term, sustainable change in the cacao industry, while protecting the natural treasures of the Amazon and empowering local communities.
In every step of this cacao sourcing process, it is ensured that ethical practices and environmental responsibility remain at the forefront, creating a positive impact for both people and planet.
sourcing raw cacao paste: the pucalipa blocks
the bolivia blocks:
The Bolivia cacao blocks are sourced from the Beni region in northeastern Bolivia, where the indigenous Baure people harvest the unique Beniano cacao variety through sustainable wild collection methods. This practice not only preserves the rainforest but also supports the local community by providing a steady income. The cacao is carefully fermented, dried, and minimally processed to maintain its natural flavors and beneficial properties. My supplier ensures that the entire production process, from harvesting to packaging, occurs within Bolivia, maximizing the economic benefits for the local producers and promoting environmental sustainability. This approach aligns with our commitment to fair trade, environmental protection, and keeping as much added value as possible in the growing countries.
This wonderful ceremonial cacao paste comes from the heart of the Ucayali region in the Peruvian Amazon, where dense jungle, fertile soil, and traditional farming converge to create one of the most vibrant cacao-growing environments on Earth. Hand-harvested by smallholder farmers, this cacao is grown using time-honored, organic practices rooted in deep respect for the land. These farming families live and work in remote regions where access is difficult, but their knowledge of the forest and its rhythms ensures a cacao that is both pure and powerful.
Ethical & Regenerative Sourcing
My supplier works in close partnership with these cacao farmers—offering free technical training, support with organic certification, and help navigating the logistical challenges of rural production. The cacao beans are carefully fermented at controlled low temperatures (never exceeding 40 °C), preserving vital nutrients and rich natural flavor, then sun-dried to an ideal moisture level. This cacao paste is minimally processed: the beans are hulled, stone-ground, and cold-pressed into solid blocks without roasting or additives, ensuring the product remains raw, organic, and nutrient-dense.
Beyond Ucayali, my supplier supports thousands of smallholder farmers globally, particularly in regions like San Martín, Sierra Leone, and the Dominican Republic, by investing in long-term, community-focused programs that enhance both livelihoods and ecosystems:
Fairtrade & Organic Premiums: Farmers are paid fairly, with additional premiums for certified organic and Fairtrade crops, helping improve living standards and community resilience.
Farmer Field Schools: Training centers offer education on sustainable agroforestry, regenerative practices, and organic farming. In Peru and Sierra Leone, these schools include demo farms and seedling nurseries to help farmers diversify their crops and income.
Regenerative Agroforestry: By integrating shade trees like avocado, coconut, and timber species, farmers enhance biodiversity, rebuild soil health, and reduce pressure to deforest virgin land.
Child Protection Initiatives: Community-led programs work to keep children in school and ensure safe, dignified labor conditions on farms—going beyond standard certification.
Transparency & Traceability: Through GPS mapping and satellite-based forest monitoring, all cacao is traceable back to its origin, ensuring deforestation-free and ethically sourced supply chains.
Why This Cacao Stands Apart
This Ucayali cacao is produced with ceremonial integrity, crafted to preserve its nutritional richness and energetic potency. With a smooth, bold profile and deep grounding aroma, it’s ideal for both inner work and shared ritual. Its purity also makes it a beautiful choice for artisanal chocolate-making or holistic culinary creations.
I am so happy and honored to offer this cacao as a living connection to the land, the farmers, and the traditions it comes from. Every block represents a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern sustainability—a gift from the rainforest, through hands that care.
the Ucayali chunks:
The liquid mushroom extracts I proudly stock on Ayamani Naturals are supplied by a competent, knowledgeable and dedicated supplier who prioritizes quality and sustainability, sourcing exclusively organically grown or wild-harvested mushrooms that meet EU-certified organic standards. They operate in regions with centuries-old wisdom and traditions of mushroom cultivation, in the Zhejiang and Fujian provinces in China. The mushrooms are grown on natural substrates like hardwood logs and organic cotton seed hulls, never in artificial labs or warehouses. The mushrooms adhere to strict organic and sustainable practices, avoiding pesticides, chemicals, and GMOs. They are hand-harvested at peak condition, thoroughly tested for contaminants, and processed using rigorous dual extraction methods to retain the full spectrum of bioactive compounds. They also ensure all products undergo thorough testing both at the source and in Europe, guaranteeing purity and compliance with EU standards. This meticulous approach allows to offer clean, organic, and potent mushroom extracts you can trust with a peaceful heart and mind.
sourcing mushrooms
As a small, one-woman business, with the goal of providing wholesome and ethical products to the world, transparency and quality mean everything to me. This is why I source my ceremonial grade matcha from a trusted Europe-based importer who works closely with small, organic tea farms in Japan. These farms are located in some of Japan’s most renowned tea-growing regions, (Kagoshima in the south, and Uji near Kyoto) where volcanic soil, misty mountain air, and centuries of tea cultivation come together to create ideal growing conditions for truly exceptional matcha.
My supplier has built long-standing relationships with experienced tea farmers who follow traditional cultivation methods. The tea plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest, a time-honored technique that boosts chlorophyll levels and preserves the rich L-theanine and amino acid content that gives ceremonial matcha its deep umami flavor and signature bright green color. Only the youngest, most tender leaves are hand-picked for grinding, ensuring a smooth, balanced taste without bitterness.
Once harvested, the leaves are gently steamed, air-dried, and stone-milled using traditional granite mills that rotate slowly to avoid heating the tea—preserving its nutrients and flavor profile. This artisanal production method results in a fine, velvety matcha powder with a vibrant hue, perfect for whisking into a smooth, frothy bowl of tea.
My supplier’s commitment to quality goes far beyond the fields. The matcha is certified organic and undergoes regular lab testing in Europe to ensure they’re free from pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation. Every batch is fully traceable, from the moment the leaves are plucked in Japan to when the finished product arrives in my premises.
sourcing MATCHA
SOURCING RAPé
Ayamani Naturals rapé is sourced with deep respect for the Indigenous communities who carry this ancestral medicine. While I do not work with the tribe directly, I source this rapé through a trusted, small-scale European importer who has direct personal contact with the community and built a long-standing, respectful relationship with them. This trade offers an important source of income for the village, helping to meet essential needs, such as fuel for river travel, while supporting their continued connection to traditional ways of life.
The Cacao rapé originates from the Huni Kuin people of Acre state, in the Brazilian Amazon, along the Tarauacá River.
The Nukini rapé comes from the Nukini tribe, who maintain a more private approach to their production methods. We fully honor this discretion, as their knowledge is part of a rich lineage of sacred plant medicine passed down through generations.
In both communities, it is often the men who prepare rapé and the women who create beautiful handmade crafts for trade, with the guidance of traditional healers— elders who hold deep knowledge of medicinal plants. By offering this rapé, we aim to support sustainable, respectful trade that uplifts Indigenous livelihoods and honors the spirit of the medicine.