In early June, we embarked on an exciting journey to Egypt. The mission: to prequalify several producers for a range of products in the fields of organic herbs, spices, and teas – first and foremost Moringa.
Egypt, a country often associated with its arid landscapes and ancient pyramids, also possesses a rich agricultural tradition, particularly around the Nile River. The journey highlighted the stark contrasts within the country, from the barren deserts to the lush, fertile lands that benefit from the Nile’s life-giving waters.
The Fertile Grounds of Faiyum
Egypt has a long history of agriculture and boasts a rich array of herbs and spices, despite its arid landscape, due to the fertile Nile region. The stark contrast between the barren desert and the lush green areas along the Nile is truly breathtaking. One moment you’re driving through the desert with pyramids in view, and the next, you’re surrounded by rich, tropical conditions.
Our mission took us primarily to Faiyum, Egypt’s second-largest town after Cairo and one of its oldest cities. Faiyum is renowned for its natural beauty, sitting adjacent to a giant lake – Lake Qarun. Surprisingly, the agricultural richness of the area isn’t fed directly by the lake but by ancient canals that branch out from the Nile, dug thousands of years ago by the early Egyptians. This intricate network of canals transforms the land into a lush, Venice-like landscape of smallholder farms. Each family cultivates a variety of crops, rotating them through the seasons to maintain soil health and productivity. This traditional, labor-intensive farming method ensures a high level of care and quality in the produce, including herbs, spices, and seeds.
Key Products: Moringa, Sesame and Hibiscus
During our visit, we focused on three primary products: Moringa, sesame, and hibiscus. Each of these products holds significant importance for our business and fits into distinct categories within our portfolio:
- Moringa: Known for its detoxifying properties, Moringa is a superfood that has been part of our product lineup for years in the US. In Europe, it is a developing product and its popularity is growing rapidly. Moringa acts as a natural detoxifier, absorbing toxins from the human body. However, these same properties make it crucial to source Moringa from areas free from environmental contaminants as the growing plant naturally absorbs any pollution, pesticides, and exhaust from the surrounding environment, also the southern regions of Egypt, such as Aswan, offer ideal conditions with large, remote, pristine fields irrigated by pure groundwater and free from industrial pollution.
- Sesame: A staple seed used worldwide, sesame is a commodity that our customers rely on consistently. Egypt produces stunningly beautiful, large, and clean white sesame seeds with a rich flavour – perfect for the production of tahini. The traditional farming methods and meticulous care taken by smallholder farmers ensure a high-quality product that meets our high standards.
- Hibiscus: This product fits perfectly into our tea category. Egypt’s hibiscus is renowned for its vibrant color and rich flavor, available in various forms such as whole flowers, leaves, teabag cuts, and powder. The quality of Egyptian hibiscus makes it a valuable addition to our specialized product lineup.
Selecting the Right Producers
Choosing the right producers for these products is critical to maintaining our high standards. During our visit, we evaluated several factors to ensure we partner with the best possible suppliers:
- Connection to Source: We seek producers with strong relationships and connections with local farmers. These relationships ensure a consistent supply of high-quality raw materials. For Moringa, in particular, it is vital to have a trusted partner who can manage the collection from multiple smallholder farms, ensuring both quality and quantity.
- Production Facilities: The quality of the production facility is paramount. We assess whether the facility has proper storage conditions, maintains strict hygiene standards, and uses advanced technology for processing. This includes segregating organic from conventional materials, using hair protection, gloves, and clean clothing, and employing metal detection and magnets to remove any stray metal particles from the produce – something unavoidable due to the milling and grounding using metal machinery.
The Delicate Nature of Moringa
Moringa’s delicate nature makes it challenging to process without compromising its visual quality. The high chlorophyll content and green, juicy leaves are difficult to sterilise without turning brown. Therefore, it is essential to source Moringa from a clean, uncontaminated organic environment and process it with minimal interference, minimising the need for sterilisation. The ideal Moringa is planted in remote areas; weeded and harvested by hand; and milled and ground in pristine clean facilities, ensuring that it remains free from pollutants and retains its vibrant green colour and nutritional properties.
Why Egypt?
Egypt’s geographic location offers a significant advantage with quick shipping times to Europe. Additionally, the country’s rich agricultural history and expertise in growing herbs and spices are incredibly impressive.
During our visit, we evaluated five producers and established a ranking system. We selected a main strategic partner for large volumes and two backup suppliers for smaller quantities. We also maintain our relationships with suppliers in Eastern and Southern Africa to ensure a diverse and reliable supply chain.
Egypt’s commitment to agriculture, combined with its historical legacy of farming, makes it an ideal partner for sourcing high-quality herbs, spices, and teas. We are excited about the potential these partnerships hold for expanding our offerings in the European market and beyond.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on our journey to source the finest herbs, spices, and teas from around the world!
