Faskomilo · Kozani highlands
Greek sage, for the cup and the kitchen.
Faskomilo — the sage Greeks brew by the pot every winter — from certified growers in the Kozani highlands, packed by VEVI in Athens under FSSC 22000.
The herb
The herb Greeks drink by the pot.
In most kitchens sage is a cooking herb. In Greece it is first of all a drink: a pot of faskomilo with honey is as familiar on a winter evening as mountain tea. The name is said to come from the small, apple-like galls that form on wild Greek sage.
In Greece, faskomilo usually refers to Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa), a native of the eastern Mediterranean, while common sage is Salvia officinalis. Both have soft, velvety leaves and the same earthy, camphor-like, gently bitter aroma.
VEVI sources sage from certified growers in the Kozani highlands and packs it in Athens under FSSC 22000, in jars and sachets.
- PlantSage (Salvia)
- Greek nameΦασκόμηλο (faskomilo)
- OriginGreece · Kozani highlands
- FlavourEarthy, camphor-like, gently bitter
- CaffeineNone — it is a herbal infusion
- Food safetyFSSC 22000 · ISO 22000
Formats
Jar, sachet or tea bags.
Cut sage leaf in a 50 g PET jar and a 30 g sachet, and sage in cartons of 10 enveloped tea bags.
In the cup
How to brew sage tea.
Sage is strong, so less is more — and it turns bitter if it steeps too long.
- Measure
About 1 g — a teaspoon of cut leaf or three or four whole leaves — per 250 ml cup.
- Steep, covered
Pour over water just off the boil, cover and steep for 3–5 minutes.
- Strain in time
Strain promptly; longer steeping draws out bitterness.
- Finish
Honey and a slice of lemon are the Greek way. It is also good iced.
In the kitchen
Sage beyond the teapot.
Warm a pinch of dried sage in butter or olive oil for pasta, gnocchi or squash.
Rub with sage, garlic, lemon and olive oil before roasting.
A little sage adds depth to white beans and chickpeas.
Classic with onion and breadcrumbs for poultry.
Knead a teaspoon into focaccia or olive-oil bread.
Brew with mountain tea or lemon verbena for a softer cup.
Tradition & wellbeing
Salvia, from “to save”.
Sage's Latin name, Salvia, comes from salvare — “to save” — a sign of how highly the ancients valued the plant. In Greece sage is the infusion of cold days and of the end of a meal, often with honey and lemon.
Sage naturally contains rosmarinic acid and an essential oil that includes thujone. That is why it is drunk in moderation — a few cups a day — and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Natural compoundsRosmarinic acid, essential oil
- In traditionCold days; after meals
- CaffeineNone
Sage is a food, not a medicine. Drink it in moderation; avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and ask your doctor if you take medication.
Storage & quality
Soft leaves need a closed jar.
Sage leaves are velvety and absorb moisture easily, so keep them in a closed jar, in a cool, dark, dry cupboard.
Once a sachet is open, move the sage to a clean jar with a tight lid. As a rule of thumb it keeps its best aroma for about a year after opening — check the best-before date on the pack.
Like many aromatic herbs, sage is best enjoyed in moderation as part of a varied diet. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, ask your doctor before drinking herbal infusions regularly.
What good sage looks like
- Silver-grey to grey-green leaf — not brown.
- A clean, camphor-like aroma when you rub a leaf.
- Leaf pieces rather than dust.
- A clear origin on the label.
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 and sachets for supermarket chains, delis, pharmacies' food shelves, HORECA and importers, sage in enveloped tea bags, and private label packed to FSSC 22000.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of sage tea?
In Greek tradition sage is the hot infusion of cold days and is also drunk after meals, often with honey and lemon. It naturally contains rosmarinic acid and essential oil. Drink it in moderation and not in pregnancy or breastfeeding — it is a food, not a medicine.
How much sage tea can I drink?
In moderation: a few cups a day are plenty. Because its essential oil contains thujone, sage is not drunk in large amounts or for long periods, nor in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Where does VEVI sage come from?
From certified growers in the Kozani highlands of northern Greece, packed by VEVI in Athens under FSSC 22000.
What is the difference between Greek sage and common sage?
Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa) is native to the eastern Mediterranean; common sage (Salvia officinalis) is the garden sage of northern Europe. Both are culinary sages with a similar earthy, camphor-like aroma.
How do I make sage tea?
About 1 g per cup, water just off the boil, covered for 3–5 minutes, then strain. Add honey or lemon if you like.
Does sage tea contain caffeine?
No. Sage tea is a herbal infusion and contains no caffeine.
Can I cook with dried sage?
Yes — with pork, chicken, beans, pasta in brown butter, stuffings and breads. Use it sparingly; it is strong.
Do you supply sage wholesale or in tea bags?
Yes — jars and sachets, sage in enveloped tea bags, and private label. Send a wholesale enquiry.