Matakana Valley Macadamia & Wild Fig
Earths Organics Gardeners High Country Lavender
Earths Organics Botanical Blends
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Earths Organics High Country Lavender
Harvest and Production Information
Welcome to our new Earths Organics High country Lavender range. This unique range has been created utilizing our well recognized formulations which contain many beneficial "local" ingredients including Manuka Honey, Olive Oil and more importantly organic lavender oil. The Lavender is grown and distilled not far from Lake Taupo on the central high plateau in the North Island of New Zealand making this one of the most beautiful and tranquil locations to produce fine quality organic oil. To understand a little more about our production we are glad to share information about how the lavender is grown, harvest and distilled.
For harvesting we must have 2 - 3 days of good hot sunny weather before cutting. We harvest our Pacific Blue variety mid Feb and the Grosso is harvest early March. Because we are at such a high altitude here, we are approximately 3 - 4 weeks later harvesting than other areas in New Zealand. As per the photos we use a machine to cut. The Lavender is cut at a height so we are not using too much of the stalk through the still. Harvesting starts around 9.30 - 10 am so any dew is gone from the lavender. This is then placed into woolsacks that are taken to the distillery.
The boiler is started around the same time as it takes around 1hour to get to 90 degrees. We run it wit LPG cylinders and when it is up to the right temperature we put the flowers into the still pots. One pot will take 100 kg of flowers, which is approximately 5 woolsacks. The pot is then placed into the vat and sealed. The boiler will send the steam up through the still pot in the vat, which then comes down through the large stainless pipe. It flows into another vat/container where the temperature of the water is 45 - 50 degrees. the oil rises to the surface, which we release with a tap that we turn off and on as the oil keeps rising. this process takes around 30 minutes. We then unseal the vat and replace with a new pot of flowers. we have 2 pots that we rotate; the used flowers are turned into mulch for around the plants. The steam distilled water is also poured off into sterilised buckets and this is used for irons and room sprays, and pouring into baths as there is quite a lot of oil residue left in the water.
The amount of oil per still pot can vary depending on the amount of wet weather there has been over the 3 months when the flowers are out and when we actually harvest. In general Grosso will give us per still pot 2 - 3 litres and the Pacific Blue (angustofolia) about one third to half of this. Lavender plants will usually give a 12 - 15 year life span providing they are pruned and organic fertiliser used every year or two. We lack lime in our soil here, but we get our soil tested every 2 years to ensure our plants are receiving all they need. We do not use any sprays for weeds etc as we hand weed the entire 50,000 plants (12 acres) !!! a sign of labour of love!! The oil is then kept in containers in a cool dark place and is best left for 12 months before using to settle and mature (like good wine!!) Each seasons batch is then tested at Crop & Research to ensure important essential elements of Linalool, camphor and linalyl acetate are above standard.
This magical oil is then utilized in all our Earths Organics ranges at high % levels to provide beneficial properties to the skin and senses. Al formulas are also paraben free making them safe to use on sensitive skin.
Enjoy