With Love from Provence

Hi there,

Guess!  I’m just writing you from South France where I met an activist. Vincent Mignerat is an activist of the good guzzle (not what you find in Mc Do’), and this guy is incredible! He spoke to me for one hour about the peasants who are making their herbs and plants growing on a traditional manner, as their father, and grand-fathers and ancestors did. As result I was convinced that the “herbes de Provence” we are going to deal are authentic, and moreover, the best quality we can find. It gave me the opportunity to learn what are Provence herbs called: a savant mix of oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory (and 3% basil for the certified Label Rouge Herbes de Provence).

All these typical herbs are already available at... Marks & Spencer in London, and very soon at... The French Touch in Chennai!

Now, let’s Vincent presenting his project.

“Without farmers that shape the landscape, Provence would not be so beautiful or so attractive ... No better way to honor them so as to enhance the unique quality of their flagship products: herbs and olive oil.

What a pleasure to share these flavors, to find new ways to emphasize the richness of flavors!

It is my ambition for 25 years, and I am happy to contribute in my own way, to the development of sustainable agriculture in Provence.

Founded in 1987 and located in Avignon, in the heart of the production area, Provence Tradition sells herbs.

Facing a massive competition from Eastern Europe countries, Poland, Albania and North Africa because local plants are scarce, Provence Tradition has chosen to act by supporting the re-cultivation of species on their original homegrown.

The herbs marketed by Provence Tradition now account for nearly 75% of the Provencal production and are of incomparable quality.

Three principles guide our quality approach:

1.  Ensure exceptional flavors

Our producers select the best species of herbs, grow them on their preferred soil and harvest them at the most appropriate period to obtain plants with very high content of essential oils. Depending on the species, their concentration is 2-6 times higher than the one usually found in imported plants. It guarantees an unparalleled taste.

2.  To promote a rigorous production system

Provence Tradition sticks to the principles of an environment-friendly agriculture to improve the production management and control of health risks through debacterization steaming, suitable drying conditions, rapid conditioning.

3.  To ensure food safety

By implementing an effective traceability system, Provence Tradition is able, for each product sold, to trace it back to the cultivation area and even the seed.”

Very best from Provence,

Philippe