Questions we hear often
Where does My Land Greek Rosemary come from, specifically? +
My Land Greek Rosemary 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 rosemary? +
Rosemary grown at about 1,000 meters faces colder nights, a shorter season, and stronger sun than lowland rosemary. The plant responds by producing more essential oil, which is where the strong, piney, resinous aroma comes from. Lowland or commodity rosemary, the kind usually sold in supermarket jars, has a milder, flatter scent. The altitude is why a small pinch carries a roast or a loaf.
Is My Land rosemary 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. Crumble a pinch between your fingers before adding it to release the aroma. There are no stems and no fillers in the pouch, only the dried leaf.
Is the rosemary hand-harvested? +
Yes. The rosemary 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 and lets stems through. Hand-harvesting keeps the leaf whole, which is what the listing means by loose, whole dried leaves.
Why is My Land more expensive per ounce than other dried rosemary? +
A few reasons together. The rosemary 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, about 70 uses, far more than a small supermarket shaker. A pinch of high-altitude rosemary also goes further, so the per-use cost evens out.
How do I use Greek rosemary in cooking? +
Classic uses: rubbed onto roast potatoes, lamb, and chicken; baked into focaccia and bread; stirred into stews, marinades, and roasted vegetables. 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 brewed in hot water as a herbal tea.
Can I use My Land rosemary to make rosemary tea? +
Yes. Add a small amount of the dried leaves to hot water and steep for a few minutes, then strain. It makes an aromatic, herbal cup with the same piney character it brings to food. The leaves are the same ones used for cooking, so one pouch covers both the kitchen and the cup.
Why is the color vibrant green when other rosemary I have bought looks grey or brown? +
Vibrant green is the freshness signal for dried rosemary. 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 rosemary usually means it was over-dried, oxidized after opening, or bulk-stored for a long time. Green color and a strong piney aroma together are reliable signals.
Is My Land Greek Rosemary certified organic? +
Yes. My Land Greek Rosemary 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 My Land rosemary be fragrant, or weak like some dried rosemary I have tried? +
The most common complaint about dried rosemary is weak or missing aroma. My Land rosemary is grown at about 1,000 meters on Mount Olympus, where the plant produces more essential oil, so the dried leaf keeps a strong, piney scent. When you open the pouch you should smell it right away. Vibrant green color and a clear aroma are the signs to look for, and a small pinch carries a dish.
Will it be fresh, or dry and brittle like old rosemary? +
My Land rosemary is whole dried leaf, dried at low temperature and sealed in a light-blocking, resealable pouch to hold the aroma. It is dried, not fresh, so it will not rehydrate into soft sprigs. It should not be brittle, dusty, or stale. Crumble a pinch between your fingers and you should get a clear piney scent. If it ever arrives without aroma, that is not how it should be.
Is this loose dried leaves or whole woody sprigs in a tin? +
Loose dried leaves in a resealable kraft pouch, not whole woody sprigs and not a tin. The leaves are cut and sifted, so there are no hard stems to pick out. This is the form Greek cooks use: a pinch crumbled straight into a dish, or steeped in hot water for tea. The pouch is a real 1.76 oz (50 g) portion, about 70 uses.
How fresh is it, and where is the best-before date? +
Each pouch is packed and sealed to protect freshness, and the best-before date and lot number are printed on the back of the pouch. The resealable, light-blocking pouch keeps the leaf fresher after opening than a clear jar that lets in light and air. Stored closed in a cool, dry cupboard, the aroma holds for many months.
