Egypt is the source for our golden camomile, and Guatemala for its distinctively aromatic cardamom. Lithuania provides us with many of our favourite herbs, including our fresh spring nettle and wild mint harvested from the river’s edge. We look to France for the honey-scented blossom of the lime tree and to Iran for sweet orange blossom with notes of almond.

Terroir is an essential consideration when sourcing the perfect herbs for blends. The soil, the climate and the topography of the land all contribute to the subtle nuances in flavours. Herbs that grow wild will often have a very different flavour to those growing on farms, for example forest soils produce a distinct earthy flavour. In addition, farmers must be aware of the usage of nearby land to ensure there are no contaminants. The amount of sun the plants see will influence the balance of sweetness and bitterness; some herbs benefit from lots of year-round sun to allow a sweet flavour, while others are best grown in the shade. 

Working with the right growers is essential. Our growers take immense care with all of their harvesting activities; some of these growers are wild foragers, using their in-depth knowledge from farming their homeland to know just where and when to look for naturally-growing herbs. The wild herbs obtained from these foragers allow for a very creative blending process, which can be much less predictable but very interesting. Other growers we work with are skilled farmers who specialise in particular plants, and take a considered approach to farming with a deep respect for the environment.

The time of year the herbs are picked is very important, as different plants are best harvested in different seasons. This may be before the plants have bloomed or in their flowering state. Herbs must often be picked at the right time of the day, such as in the morning on a dry day. Some plants are at their fullest flavour in the spring, and others taste best when picked in the summer or autumn.

We process our tisanes very carefully to bring out their optimum flavour. Often several parts of the plant are used, each imparting subtly different aromas and tastes. The herbs are either dried naturally or oven dried slowly over a long period of time, always with the intention of preserving the quality and complex character. We hand cut or gently grind the herbs separately in small quantities, so that no heat is applied to them. This ensures no colour and vibrancy is lost and their taste is not compromised. We appreciate the importance of careful packaging and transportation, to make sure our products reach our customers in their finest condition.

After processing, we blend our tisanes by hand in small batches. We select herbs that work together to complement each other perfectly, and create blends that are inspired by our travels around the world. We will use a base that takes on the flavour of the key herbs that we have chosen, and that provides density and balance to the blend. We also choose herbs for a blend based on their combined use within our everyday lives, as sometimes certain herbs will complement or cancel each other’s medicinal properties. Some of our blends are seasonal and are only available following the harvest.