Camomile is not actually a welcome guest in Swiss fields, where it has the status of a weed. However, this is usually the odourless camomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum). The unmistakable aroma, on the other hand, is provided by the true camomile (Matricaria chamomilla). It is one of the most well-known medicinal plants of all and is valued for teas. It grows less frequently in the wild in Switzerland than its tasteless doppelganger. And certainly not in such large quantities as the Holderhof needs for its professional organic herb cultivation.
Regional cultivation instead of imported goods
The cultivation of true camomile on a larger scale is not very widespread in Switzerland so far. The tea packaging in the large-scale retailer’s stores indicates countries of origin such as Germany, Hungary, Poland, Egypt or Morocco. Holderhof wants to change this and is once again focusing on regional production in organic quality. Last year, the Holderhof agricultural team, led by operations manager Remo Knöpfel, therefore grew real camomile in Niederwil for the first time on a trial basis. After the successful trial cultivation, he is now expanding the cultivation of matricaria chamomilla. So chances are good that organic tea made from regionally produced camomile will soon be available in the supermarket.
Breaking new ground again
There is not much expertise available on the large-scale cultivation of camomile in Switzerland. This is not a new situation for the cultivation team. Holderhof is known for trying out new things. This applies not only to the farm in Niederwil, but also to the beverage bottling plant in Henau and the fruit processing centre in Sulgen. matricaria chamomilla is an annual. This means that it loses its seeds in summer, from which new camomile grows the following year. Normally, the seeds are sown in spring. However, the soil is often too wet to drive over with the seeder at this time of year and the time frame is correspondingly short. That’s why Remo Knöpfel tested an autumn sowing on a small area so that the plants could establish themselves early. It looks like it could work: now in March, the plants are already quite well developed. «But I won’t be able to draw a final conclusion until autumn,» says Remo Knöpfel.
Gentle drying of the flowers
Holderhof obtains the seeds of matricaria chamomilla from Sativa, a local organic seed breeding company in Rheinau. The three kilograms of tiny seeds are enough for one hectare. For the sowing, Remo Knöpfel modifies a conventional seeder. Getting the tiny seeds evenly into the soil is not that easy. «We’ll see how well it works.» Here, too, he is breaking new ground. What he does know, however, is how to control weeds. The use of herbicides is prohibited in organic farming. Therefore, it is done, whenever possible, by machine with a special hoe or otherwise by hand. Only in this way do the young plants of matricaria chamomilla receive enough light for optimal growth.
Short transport distances
The plants come into bloom from June onwards, depending on the weather and temperature. The flowers are harvested by machine, as is usual at Holderhof. They are then quickly transported to the farm’s own drying plant, where they are gently dried at temperatures below 40 degrees. This preserves the valuable essential oils. The dried organic flowers are filled into tea bags by specialised companies and sold through retail outlets. All without long transport distances and with full control over the organic quality.
The camomile sown in autumn is already quite well developed in March.
Last year, Holderhof grew camomile for the first time on a trial basis.
The flowers are harvested by machine.