Questions we hear often
Where does My Land Greek Thyme come from, specifically? +
My Land Greek Thyme is grown on the slopes of Mount Olympus in northern Greece, at about 1,000 meters above the sea. It is sourced from small family farms in that single mountain region, not from a blended commodity supply. The whole supply chain stays on one mountain, which is why the listing names Mount Olympus and not a generic "Mediterranean" origin.
Why does altitude on Mount Olympus matter for thyme? +
Thyme grown at about 1,000 meters faces colder nights, a shorter season, and stronger sun than lowland thyme. The plant responds by producing more essential oil, which is where the strong, warm, slightly minty thyme aroma comes from. Lowland or commodity thyme, the kind usually sold in supermarket jars, has a flatter, hay-like scent. The altitude is why a small pinch carries a roast or a stew.
Is My Land thyme whole leaf or ground powder? +
Whole dried leaves, loose, not powder and not ground. The leaves keep their shape and their oils, which a powder loses quickly after grinding. It is cut and sifted, so the hard stems and twigs are removed and only the leaf goes in the pouch. Crumble a pinch between your fingers before adding it to release the aroma. There are no stems and no fillers, only the dried leaf.
Is the thyme hand-harvested? +
Yes. The thyme is hand-harvested at peak season by the family farms that grow it on Mount Olympus, then gently dried at low temperature. Machine harvesting is faster but breaks the leaf, grinds it toward powder, and lets stems through. Hand-harvesting keeps the leaf whole, which is what the listing means by loose, cut-and-sifted dried leaves.
Why is My Land more expensive per ounce than other dried thyme? +
A few reasons together. The thyme is hand-harvested, not machine-harvested. It comes from a small group of family farms on one mountain, not a commodity supply chain. The resealable kraft pouch blocks light to protect the oils after opening. The 1.76 oz (50 g) pouch is a real portion that lasts months, more than a small supermarket jar. A pinch of high-altitude thyme also goes further, so the per-use cost evens out.
How do I use Greek thyme in cooking? +
Classic uses: rubbed onto roast chicken, lamb, and potatoes; stirred into stews, soups, and tomato sauces; added to marinades, beans, and roasted vegetables; baked into bread. A pinch is enough because the oil content is concentrated. Crumble the dried leaves between your fingers first to release the aroma. The same leaves can also be steeped in hot water as a herbal tea.
Can I use My Land thyme to make thyme tea? +
Yes. Add a small amount of the dried leaves to hot water and steep for a few minutes, then strain. It makes a warm, herbal cup, and it pairs well with Greek honey and lemon. The leaves are the same ones used for cooking, so one pouch covers both the kitchen and the cup.
Why is the color green when other thyme I have bought looks grey or brown? +
Green is the freshness signal for dried thyme. The color comes from chlorophyll in the leaf, kept when the herb is hand-harvested, dried at low temperature, and stored in a light-blocking pouch. Grey or brown thyme usually means it was over-dried, oxidized after opening, or bulk-stored for a long time. Green color and a clear, warm aroma together are reliable signals.
Is My Land Greek Thyme certified organic? +
Yes. My Land Greek Thyme is certified USDA Organic and EU Organic, verified through CCOF, which audits the supply chain from farm to packaging. Organic certification means no synthetic pesticides, no GMO seed, and verified handling. CCOF puts it simply: organic is non-GMO and much more. The product is not certified by the Non-GMO Project, which is a separate, narrower program.
Will the thyme be fragrant, or weak and hay-like such as some dried thyme I have tried? +
The most common complaint about dried thyme is weak or missing aroma, sometimes described as hay or barnyard. My Land thyme is grown at about 1,000 meters on Mount Olympus, where the plant produces more essential oil, so the dried leaf keeps a strong, warm scent. When you open the pouch you should smell it right away. Green color and a clear aroma are the signs to look for, and a small pinch carries a dish.
Is this whole leaf, or powder and dust? +
Whole dried leaves, cut and sifted, not powder and not dust. A common complaint about cheap thyme is that it arrives ground into powder, or full of hard stems that taste like twigs. My Land thyme is the leaf only, kept whole because it is hand-harvested and dried gently. Whole leaf holds its oils and its flavor far longer than pre-ground thyme.
Is this pure Greek thyme, or is it mixed with other herbs? +
Pure thyme. My Land Greek Thyme is single-herb and single-origin, grown on Mount Olympus and packed on its own, not blended with other herbs or fillers. It is the Greek thyme used in Mediterranean cooking, which is warmer and more aromatic than the milder thyme often sold in supermarket jars. One herb, one mountain, named on the pouch.
How much thyme do I get, and how fresh is it? +
The pouch holds 1.76 oz (50 g) of whole-leaf thyme, a real portion that lasts months, more than a small supermarket jar. The best-before date and lot number are printed on the back. The resealable, light-blocking pouch keeps the leaf fresher after opening than a clear jar that lets in light and air. A strong scent when you open the pouch is the freshness signal.
