by John Faraclas
At a fascinating event in support of women’s entrepreneurship by IforU (a network that connects more than 3,000 people) and its 10th anniversary, I met an old friend, Chian compatriot and colleague from the banking sector, Eugenia Papamorou.
Eugenia, leaving the banking sector, turned to something completely different from what she had been doing for so many years and that was the exploitation of the land. Her love for the island of Chios, combined with a return to her family roots, pushed her together with her brother, Vasilis Bandos, to cultivate the long-forgotten fields of her grandparents in the historic Pitios village, in North Chios.
Everything changed after she attended a natural cultivation workshop and had the creative idea to leave behind what she had been doing for so many years with success and devote herself exclusively to her new project.
Together with her brother and with the help of some light machinery, so that the energy footprint on nature would be as little as possible, they prepared the fields to receive their organic plants and cultivate them. Faithful followers of the principles of natural cultivation and of Masanobu Fukuoka, the plants were grown without chemical fertilisers and weeding, but with only the water from wells and the rain. There, on the rough hills of Amani area, they grow thyme, oregano, sage, the intensely-favoursome throubi and some mint and rosemary for the fragrant mix of herbs they love.
Small quantities but yielding excellent quality and aroma: the hallmark of Pitys Chios herbs..
Also, they take the pieces of pine that have fallen to the ground during the winter, the called “peticas”, and transform them into beautiful cases for the smudge bundles with rosemary and sage to burn naturally.
Going further, they are making beautiful blends of pure Chian herbs with pure natural ingredients, resulting in the wonderful Pitys and Minthy soaps.
At the end and due to the fact that the salt has the ability to absorb the aroma of herbs and retain it, they are also making exquisite herbal salt.
Their production is certified by independent organisation DIO.
The unique climate and soil, the healthy environment that characterises the island of Chios combined with their organic practices can only guarantee top quality herbs, extremely rich in flavour and essential oils.
You can find them at their kiosk based at Pityos, the nearby Makelos taverna and in selected shops at Chora, the capital of Chios.
For more information and orders: www.pitysherbs.com
Instagram : Pityschiosherbs cultivation.
