The origin of our herbs

Sometimes I get the question, “Where do the organic herbs of ‘t Lof der Kruiden actually come from?” An interesting question, because the origin of our herbs tells a story about (ancient) traditions, climate and choices we make to offer fair and high-quality organic products. Today I take you on a journey through Europe and beyond, along the places where our beloved herbs come from.

Herbalism in Belgium

Although we at ‘t Lof der Kruiden are a big proponent of local trade and uphold ecological thinking, you won’t currently find organic herbs grown in Belgium with us. Why not? The answer lies in a combination of factors:

• Labor intensity and costs: Organic herb growing is very labor intensive, and high labor costs in Belgium make it financially unattractive for many farmers to grow organic herbs.
• Agricultural land prices: The cost of agricultural land in Belgium is very high, which has a direct impact on the final price of herbs.
• Small scale: There are some small-scale organic “herb” farmers operating, but their prices are usually beyond the reach of most consumers. In addition, they usually cannot guarantee continuous supply on a slightly larger scale.

Yet we continue to dream: we are currently exploring collaborations with local organic farmers. Our goal? To offer high-quality organic herbs at an acceptable price.  

The power of herbs from France

To reduce our carbon footprint, we purchase as many organic herbs as possible from our surrounding countries. Much of our herbs come from France. French herbs are among the world’s best because of the favorable climate and the centuries of expertise of the farmers there. So it should come as no surprise that our Thyme, Basil, Lavender, Badger Chives, Oregano and Lemon Balm (to name just a few) are so beloved by our customers. 🙂  

Eastern Europe: a region with a centuries-old tradition in herbalism

Another part of our herbs comes from Eastern Europe. Countries such as Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Hungary have a rich tradition of growing and using herbs. Here are some reasons why Eastern Europe is an important herbal source for us:

• Tons of expertise: Eastern Europe has centuries-old traditions in collecting and growing herbs. Many herbs have been used in folk medicine and cooking for generations.
• Ideal climate and soil: From the Black Sea to the Balkans, the fertile soils and temperate continental climate offer perfect conditions for the cultivation of very diverse herbs. Herbs such as Scots pine from Poland, Chamomile from Croatia, Lime blossom from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Eyebright from Bulgaria are wonderful examples of the rich biodiversity that Eastern Europe has to offer.
• Affordable quality: Lower labor costs and cheaper farmland allow Eastern European organic herbs to be of high quality at a relatively affordable price.

Herbs from outside Europe

Some herbs just don’t grow in Europe. For these products, we look to countries with a rich history and expertise in growing specific crops. Think Turmeric (India), Cinnamon (sticks) (Sri Lanka), Vanilla (Madagascar), Saffron (Iran) and Muscatel (Indonesia). For our Teas (from the Camelia Sinensis plant) we focus mainly on China, the tea country par excellence.

Role of our partners

Of course, not only the region plays a major role in selecting spices. The quality and reliability of our growers, processors and suppliers are an equally important part of the process. We very much cherish our relationship with our partners who share the same values and with whom we have built a strong lasting bond over the years. These partners also maintain very strict quality standards that allow us to guarantee that every product you get your hands on meets the highest standards of taste, aroma and sustainability.  

Our philosophy

At ‘t Lof der Kruiden, we consciously choose high-quality organic herbs, with respect for people and nature. We try to reduce our ecological footprint by sourcing as many herbs as possible from nearby regions, without compromising on affordability. We remain committed to making our offerings ever more sustainable and local, whenever possible.

Since we love transparent communication to our customers, we have recently started to include the country of origin in every herb description.

Do you have any questions or tips? Let us know, we are always open to your input!

With spicy greetings,

Robin