Greece is home to breathtaking scenery, spectacular beaches, architectural wonders and a cuisine that is credited as one of the healthiest diets on earth. Less known is that Greece is home to over 8000 different herbs, approximately 800 of which are endemic to Greece. And in the world of herbs, those grown in Greece are of the highest quality.
The high quality of Greek herbs can be attributed to the unique “terroir” of the hillsides and mountains of Greece. “Terroir”, a French word, is loosely translated as a “sense of place” and pertains to the special characteristics that factors such as topography, soils and climate of a certain place, interacting with plant genetics, express in agricultural products. Winemakers have long recognized that wine quality is directly related to terroir; likewise for artisan producers of other naturally grown products. And the "terroir" of Greece’s mountainous regions uniquely favors herbs. A comparison of the extraordinarily aromatic and pungent Greek oregano with oregano from other regions provides a striking example of this special growing environment.
The wild collection, cultivation and consumption of herbs in Greece dates back to antiquity. They feature prominently in the Mediterranean diet, used in cooking and as herbal teas. Greek philosophers such as Socrates and Hippocrates spoke to their importance and benefits. Here at Klio, we firmly believe that herbs rich in phyto-nutrients are very beneficial as part of a diet based on whole foods and nutritional diversity, combined with an active lifestyle.
Klio was created to bring the unique herbal teas of Greece to people everywhere. Our 100% organic teas are hand-picked, and unrefined without any added ingredients, colorings or flavorings. Truly natural, they are hand packed with all of their natural oils, extracts and antioxidants that are typically degraded with mechanical processing. Brewing Klio teas brings to life the warm, earthy and savory aroma of Greek tea that is unlike any other on earth. Healthy, delicious and wonderfully soothing, sipping our teas will transport you to the beautiful Greek countryside and remind you why these teas have been enjoyed through the ages.
We are based in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, which shares a similar climate with Greece. Our herbs arrive by ship directly from Greece at the Port of Los Angeles (the sister City of Athens), and are packed at our Santa Barbara facility and shipped throughout the United States, and soon in Canada. We plan to sell our products in the EU directly from our facility in Alexandroupolis, Greece in 2017. Our teas are EU and USDA certified organic.