Get Our Fresh Sage – We Are Exporting!
We’re excited to share something special with you. If you’re looking to import fresh sage herbs, we, at Mulberry Growers, have perfected the export of high-quality sage in bulk! Our sustainably-grown sage could really make your business stand out. Talk to us! We’d love to explore how we can enhance your brand together!
We serve clients all over Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and we take pride in our reliable supply chain. Every shipment is backed by certifications like GlobalGAP, GACC, and SMETA, ensuring that you receive only the best in quality and safety, hence our high trust score.
With the ability to deliver 800kg a month, we can tailor our packaging to suit your needs. Our convenient 1kg packs, featuring ten 100g bundles, make it super easy to integrate sage into your lineup.
We’d love to chat more and see how we can collaborate. If you’re interested, let’s connect for a personalized quote! Together, we can make your brand shine in the sage market. Looking forward to the possibility!
Product Description of Sage
- Scientific Classification: Sage, or Salvia officinalis, belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a perennial herb.
- Morphology: The plant typically grows to about 60 cm (24 inches) tall, featuring gray-green, lanceolate leaves with a slightly hairy texture, and square stems characteristic of the mint family.
- Cultivation Conditions: Well-drained soil and full sunlight, and grown from seeds.
Nutritional Overview
Sage leaves are nutrient-dense, offering a variety of health benefits. In a 100-gram unit, sage provides approximately:
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Protein: 10.6 g
- Fat: 13.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 60.7 g
- Fiber: 40 g
- Calcium: 1,165 mg
- Iron: 28.1 mg
- Vitamin K: 171.9 µg
These components contribute to sage’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet.
Culinary Uses
- Flavorful Seasoning: Sage’s robust flavor, with hints of earthiness and a slightly peppery undertone, makes it a popular choice for seasoning a variety of dishes.
- Stuffing and Dressings: Sage is a classic ingredient in stuffings and dressings, especially during holiday feasts.
- Sage Butter: Infusing butter with sage creates a versatile condiment known as sage butter.
- Herb Blends: Sage is often included in various herb blends, such as the traditional French herb combination, fines herbes.
- Teas and Infusions: Sage leaves can be used to prepare herbal teas and infusions.
How Long It Takes to Grow
- Seed Germination (10-21 days): Sage is grown from seeds, and germination typically takes about 10 to 21 days.
- Transplanting (4-6 weeks after germination): Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they have grown large enough.
- Establishment and Growth (Several weeks): Sage establishes relatively quickly and begins to grow vigorously after transplanting.
- Maturity and Harvest (About 8-12 weeks): Sage is generally ready for harvest about 8 to 12 weeks after transplanting.
Growing Conditions and Harvesting Processes
To ensure high-quality sage for bulk export, we cultivate the plants in well-drained, sandy loam soil with adequate sunlight. We focus on harvesting the young shoots, which are rich in essential oils and flavor. The ideal time for harvesting is early morning when moisture levels are high. Using sharp shears, we cut the stem about 2-4 inches from the base, targeting the top portion of the plant. This method encourages regrowth and maintains the plant’s vitality. We also monitor soil moisture and temperature to optimize growth.
Our Post-Harvest Handling
Once harvested, we prioritize maintaining the freshness and liveliness of sage by promptly transporting it to our processing facility. To prevent wilting, we keep the harvested shoots in shaded, cool conditions, ideally at around 4°C (39°F). Within hours of harvesting, we apply methods to maintain moisture levels, such as misting the leaves lightly. Additionally, we ensure the transport containers allow for airflow, reducing the risk of spoilage. By adhering to these practices, we guarantee the sage retains its vibrant flavor and nutritional profile until it reaches processing.
Sizing and Grading
We size our sage to achieve uniformity and efficiency. The leaves and stems are trimmed to remove any damaged or discolored portions, ensuring only the finest parts are selected for export. By maintaining a consistent quality, we can meet our customers’ diverse needs effectively.
Weighing and Bundling
We use a combination of manual inspection and machine-assisted grading to ensure only the best products are selected for export. Once graded, each batch is weighed to maintain accurate inventory records and ensure consistency in packaging. Following weighing, we sort the sage into appropriate bundles, 100 grams, and also depending on customer requirements. We take great care during bundling to minimize bruising and preserve the quality of the sage, thereby maintaining its market value.
Packaging and Sealing
For packaging, we employ food-safe inner materials such as polyethylene bags that provide moisture retention while allowing for breathability. These bags help maintain the freshness of the sage during transit. Each bundle is then placed into sturdy outer cartons made from recycled cardboard, ensuring adequate protection against physical damage. We carefully seal the boxes while allowing for ventilation, and optimizing space for transportation. Our commitment to sustainable packaging solutions not only enhances product integrity but also aligns with our environmental goals, ensuring our sage reaches customers in prime condition.
Cold Storage and Dispatch
Once packaged, the sage is moved to our cold storage facility, where we maintain temperatures at 1-4°C (33-39°F) to prolong freshness. Our storage area is equipped with advanced refrigeration units that ensure optimal humidity levels, preventing moisture loss while minimizing spoilage. Before dispatch, we conduct quality checks to ensure each batch meets our strict standards. When orders are ready, we carefully organize shipments for transport, focusing on prompt delivery. Our efficient logistics ensure that our sage arrives at its destination as fresh as possible, upholding our reputation for quality in the export market.
Growing Conditions and Harvesting Processes
To ensure optimal quality for export, we focus on specific growing conditions for sage. The plants prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, thriving in full sun. Harvesting involves cutting the shoots just above the leaf node to promote regrowth. We target both leaves and stems, ensuring a clean cut with minimal damage to the plant. The timing of the harvest is crucial, typically occurring just before flowering, to maximize flavor and essential oil content. We ensure that the harvested material remains fresh by minimizing the time from field to facility.
Washing Process
Upon arrival at our facility, we begin the washing process to remove soil, pests, and contaminants. We employ an automated washing system that gently sprays water over the sage shoots. This method effectively cleans the leaves without causing physical damage. We use food-grade detergents when necessary, ensuring all residues are thoroughly rinsed away. After washing, we transfer the sage to a drying area where air circulation helps remove excess moisture. Maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness throughout this process is vital for preserving the quality and safety of the fresh sage before further processing.
Trimming
Once the sage is washed, we proceed to the chopping and trimming stage, where we focus on preparing the shoots for export. Using high-speed, machine-based equipment, we carefully trim away any damaged or discolored leaves, ensuring that only the highest quality parts are selected. This process includes chopping the stems to an appropriate length, optimizing them for packing and transport. The machinery we employ is designed for efficiency while minimizing waste. Our attention to detail in this stage guarantees that the final product meets the standards expected by our clients, ensuring satisfaction upon arrival.
Grading, Weighing, Sorting, and Bundling
After chopping and trimming, we grade the sage based on size and quality. This grading process is crucial as it allows us to categorize the shoots into specific quality tiers, making it easier to meet varying client requirements. Each batch is weighed using precision scales to ensure accurate measurement, which aids in inventory tracking. Once graded and weighed, we sort the sage into bundles, typically around 1 kg each, ensuring uniformity in size and quality. This sorting process not only enhances presentation but also streamlines packing and shipping, allowing us to efficiently handle bulk orders.
Packaging
Our packaging process involves several steps to ensure the sage remains fresh during transit. We begin with inner packaging, using breathable plastic bags that allow airflow while retaining moisture, thus maintaining freshness. Each bag contains approximately 1 kg of sage, providing a consistent product weight. For the outer packaging, we select sturdy carton boxes designed for transport. These boxes are labeled clearly, indicating contents and handling instructions. The combination of inner and outer packaging is essential in protecting the sage from physical damage and spoilage during shipping, ensuring it arrives in optimal condition.
Cold Storage and Dispatch
Finally, after packaging, we move the sage to our cold storage facility, which maintains a temperature between 0-4°C. This temperature range is crucial for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of the sage during transit. We carefully monitor the conditions within the storage area to prevent moisture build-up, which could lead to spoilage. Once orders are prepared, we organize the dispatch process to ensure timely delivery to our clients. The combination of efficient cold storage and prompt dispatch minimizes the time from harvest to delivery, guaranteeing that our customers receive fresh, high-quality sage.
Growing Sage
- Sunlight and Well-Drained Soil: Sage thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Propagation: Sage can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, or division.
- Harvesting: Harvest sage leaves as needed throughout the growing season.
