Posted on September 30, 2009 - by Leslie Billera

Remember Your Roots

Researching the roots of what you buy – whether it’s the food you eat, the personal care products you buy, or the clothes you wear – is an important step towards making buying decisions that are healthy for you and the planet.

All too often, we plunk down our money for items with little-known origins. What exactly is a Dorito? Where was that super cheap tee shirt made and shipped from?  And what, for heaven’s sake, are all those chemicals in my shampoo?

At St. Helena Olive Oil and Napa Valley Bath, we’re all about full disclosure. We’ve got nothing to hide and everything to gain from sharing the stories of how what we grow and sell came to be. Case in point…

What Happens at Lavender Harvest

Lavender is harvested as soon as it blooms. And the great news for lavender harvesters like the Kahns – our partners in the glorious production of lavender – is that the more you cut lavender, the thicker it grows. In fact, naturally drought-resistant lavender is actually one super-robust plant…perfect for sunny Napa Valley climates!

During harvest, stalks are cut, bundled and hung to dry in a dark place (to preserve color) inside. For large lavender production, a large fan circulates hot air, crisping the lavender bundles, and preventing mold. Then, in about two weeks, the blossoms are removed by hand by scraping dried stalks against a metal screen.

Stay tuned for more insights about lavender from lavender harvesters the Kahns!