Floèm: A Canadian veteran company reinventing Nordic herbal tea

Have you ever wondered how military discipline translates into brewing the perfect cup of herbal tea?

At Floèm, our roots run deep in the boreal forest, but also in the values of the Canadian Armed Forces. As a company proudly owned by a Canadian veteran, our journey from the decks of Navy ships to eco-responsible foraging guides our passion for innovation, sustainability, and high-quality infusions.

Here's the story behind Floèm, and how our military background enabled us to create Canada's first caffeinated Nordic tea.

From Navy and Air Force to boreal innovation

Floèm co-owner, Frédéric Verville, served 13 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. His military career includes 6 years as a boatswain in the Royal Canadian Navy (on HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Iroquois, among others) and 7 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force with the 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.

Whether serving in the Reserve full-time or part-time, military life demands resilience, adaptability, and an extraordinary sense of logistics.

Upon transitioning to civilian life, the mission changed, but the determination remained the same. The new objective? To showcase the unsuspected richness of the Canadian forest by applying the rigor of military organization to a growing manufacturing company.

"The discipline learned in the Navy and Air Force is the backbone of Floèm's rapid growth. In the military, you learn to solve complex problems under pressure. In business, that helps us master tight supply chains and maintain impeccable product quality." – Frédéric Verville, co-owner.

National Recognition: Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year

Our commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Frédéric had the honor of receiving the prestigious Prince's Trust Canada Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Award (CANIE Awards).

This national recognition celebrates veterans who successfully transform their military skills into thriving and sustainable Canadian businesses. For us, it was confirmation that our values of integrity, hard work, and community impact resonated across the country.

This momentum even led, very recently, to an official visit to our production facilities in Montreal by the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, who came to see firsthand how veteran leadership drives agri-food innovation in Quebec.

Revolutionizing the infusion industry: Canada's first caffeinated Nordic tea

Floèm is not a traditional tea company. We noticed a big gap in the market: people loved the health benefits and rich aromas of our native plants, but they missed the little energy boost from their morning tea.

So, we became the first in the country to combine high-quality tea leaves with wild ingredients from the boreal forest to create caffeinated Nordic teas.

By blending local treasures such as balsam fir, black spruce, and Labrador tea, we offer the authentic taste of our forests with the perfect touch of caffeine.

Sustainability and circular economy

For a veteran-owned company, taking care of our land is a duty. That's why Floèm operates on a circular economy model. We work hand-in-hand with local harvesters to enhance the value of "non-timber forest products," ensuring that our harvesting methods respect the ecosystem and support regional communities.

Support Canadian Veterans: Choose Floèm

Today, Floèm products can be found in over 500 points of sale across the country, and directly on our online store.

When you choose Floèm, you're not just buying herbal tea. You're supporting a Canadian veteran-owned business, celebrating local biodiversity, and encouraging sustainable forestry.

Ready to taste the boreal forest? Explore our unique collection of Nordic teas and find your new favorite blend.