Silo Tea

Project Description:
A full brand identity and packaging system for Silo Tea, a Montana-grown chamomile corn cob tea developed in partnership with Quinn Institute of the Northern Great Plains. The product is built around regenerative agriculture and the "food as medicine" philosophy turning upcycled corn cobs into a functional, nutrient-rich herbal tea. The branding covered naming, visual identity, tea packaging, individual tea bag packaging, and all FDA-required labeling elements.

Project Concept:
The core design challenge was making corn tea feel approachable and premium without leaning into tired agricultural clichés. Consumer research including surveys, tastings, and interviews with chefs, grocery store owners, and ranchers showed that leading with "corn" triggered skepticism, so the packaging strategy intentionally avoided traditional corn colors in favor of a lavender-purple palette drawn directly from the color of the brewed tea, with subtle red accents reflecting the hue of the raw corn cobs. The name "Silo Tea" was chosen to evoke agricultural roots without triggering flavor assumptions. The result is a shelf-ready design that stands out in the competitive tea aisle while remaining rooted in its local, sustainable origin story.