The herb
Small flowers, a big tradition.
Chamomile — chamomili in Greek — takes its name from the ancient Greek chamaimelon, 'earth apple', after the apple-like scent of its flowers. The chamomile brewed for infusions is usually Matricaria chamomilla: small daisy-like heads with white petals and a golden, cone-shaped centre.
The flowers are picked in late spring and early summer, when fully open, and dried whole. They brew into a pale golden cup that tastes of honey, hay and green apple — no bitterness and no caffeine.
VEVI sources chamomile from certified growers in the Kozani highlands, conventional and certified organic, and packs it in Athens under FSSC 22000.
- PlantMatricaria chamomilla
- Greek nameΧαμομήλι (chamomili)
- OriginGreece · Kozani highlands
- CupHoneyed, floral, apple-like
- CaffeineNone — it is a herbal infusion
- Organic lineBIO Hellas · GR-BIO-03
Formats
Whole flowers or ready in bags.
Whole flowers in a 45 g jar and 30 g sachets — conventional and certified organic — and chamomile in cartons of 10 enveloped tea bags.
In the cup
How to brew chamomile.
Chamomile is delicate: water just off the boil and a lid on the cup keep the aroma in the mug instead of the kitchen.
- Measure
About 2 g — a heaped tablespoon of flowers — per 250 ml cup, or one tea bag.
- Pour, don't boil
Pour over water just off the boil, around 95 °C.
- Cover and steep
Cover and steep for 5 minutes; up to 7 for a fuller cup.
- Strain and serve
Drink it plain or with honey and a slice of lemon.
Beyond the cup
Chamomile in the kitchen and the bar.
Brew it double strength, cool it and serve over ice with lemon and a sprig of mint.
Simmer flowers with sugar and water for a floral syrup, or infuse warm milk and cream for custards and rice pudding.
With mountain tea or lemon verbena for a softer, citrusy cup.
Tradition & wellbeing
The cup for unwinding.
In Greek tradition chamomile is the evening cup for relaxation: hot, with a little honey, at the end of the day. It is also drunk after meals for comfortable digestion — and because it has no caffeine, it is a natural choice before bed.
The flowers naturally contain flavonoids such as apigenin, and an essential oil with chamazulene — the compound that gives chamomile oil its striking blue colour.
- Natural compoundsApigenin, chamazulene
- In traditionEvening, for relaxation; after meals
- CaffeineNone
Chamomile is a food, not a medicine. If you are allergic to plants of the daisy family (such as ragweed), take care. If you are pregnant or take medication, ask your doctor.
Storage & quality
Whole flowers keep their scent longer.
Keep chamomile closed, in a cool, dark and dry cupboard. Whole flower heads keep their scent longer than crushed ones, so handle them gently.
Once a sachet is open, move the flowers to a clean, dry jar with a tight lid. As a rule of thumb chamomile tastes best within about a year of opening — always check the best-before date on the pack.
What good chamomile looks like
- Whole, rounded yellow centres with white petals — not crumbs and dust.
- A sweet, apple-and-hay smell when you open the jar.
- A clear, pale golden cup after five minutes.
- A clear origin on the label, and the EU organic logo with a certifier code on organic packs.
In the shops
Where to find it
In Greece, VEVI is sold in supermarket chains including Galaxias, Masoutis and My market; the formats on shelf vary by store.
Trade
For retailers, HORECA & importers
Jars, conventional and organic sachets and tea bags for supermarket chains, delis, cafés, hotels and importers — plus private label packed to FSSC 22000.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of chamomile tea?
In Greek tradition chamomile is the evening cup for relaxation, and it is also drunk after meals for comfortable digestion. It naturally contains flavonoids such as apigenin and has no caffeine. It is a food, not a medicine.
Is chamomile tea good before bed?
It is the classic evening cup for relaxation in Greek tradition, and because it has no caffeine many people drink it before bed. A cup with a little honey, half an hour before you go to sleep, is the classic way.
Where does VEVI chamomile come from?
From certified growers in the Kozani highlands of northern Greece. It is packed by VEVI in Athens under FSSC 22000.
How do I make chamomile tea?
About 2 g of flowers (a heaped tablespoon) or one tea bag per cup, water just off the boil, covered for 5 minutes. Strain and add honey if you like.
Does chamomile tea contain caffeine?
No. Chamomile is a herbal infusion and contains no caffeine.
Do you have organic chamomile?
Yes — a 30 g sachet certified organic by BIO Hellas (GR-BIO-03).
Can I use chamomile in cooking?
Yes: in syrups, custards, cakes, iced teas and cocktails. Infuse it in a warm liquid and strain.
Do you supply chamomile wholesale?
Yes — jars, sachets, organic and tea bags for retailers, HORECA and importers, plus private label. Send a wholesale enquiry.