A bountiful crop of sage has once again been gathered in Freital!
In the picturesque town of Freital, the sage harvest is currently underway at the historic Bombastus Works. This year, the harvest is being carried out with modern technology, marking a significant shift from the traditional methods that have been in use for over a century.
The journey of sage tea production at Bombastus Works began 111 years ago, with the manual hand-picking of sage leaves. This meticulous process ensured the selection of the best quality leaves for the tea. However, as time passed, the production methods evolved, integrating modern agricultural and processing technologies.
Initially, the top shoots were dried in the attic of the main house for use as tea. Today, advanced drying technologies such as controlled hot-air drying or freeze-drying are employed to better preserve flavor and active compounds. Automated sorting and quality control using optical sensors have also been introduced to maintain consistency.
The sage harvest period used to span from July to September. During this time, up to 50 women would pick the top shoots by hand for the harvest. Today, a special tractor is used, taking approximately 4 hours to cover one hectare. This mechanization has significantly increased efficiency and scale.
Approximately 2,800 kilograms of fresh tea can be produced from one hectare of sage harvest. In the past, an average sage picker could harvest ten kilograms of fresh sage in six to eight hours.
The Bombastus Works continues to honour its rich history while embracing modernity. An open day for tea production is scheduled for September 5th, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the transformation of sage from the field to the cup.
Despite the advancements, the essence of Bombastus Works' sage tea remains rooted in tradition, retaining the herbal qualities central to their product. For those interested in learning more about the precise details of Bombastus Works' evolution from traditional hand-picking to modern technology, it is recommended to check their official communications or industry reports.
The evolution of sage tea production at Bombastus Works saw a transition from a manual, hand-picking process to utilizing modern agricultural and processing technologies. Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find interest in the fact that the initial drying of sage shoots once occurred in the attic of the main house.
