Description
The Chamomilla Bohemica PDO is the dried flower head of the true camomile (Flos Chamomilla vulgaris) belonging to the variety of Matricariae flos, Matricaria recutita, and Chamomilla recutita.
Production Area
The production area of Chamomilla Bohemica PDO is found in Bohemian territory, including Prague, Central Bohemian, South Bohemian, Plzen, Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem, Liberec, Hrádec Králové and Pardubice Regions and, in the Vysocina Region, the districts of Havlíckuv Brod, Jihlava and Pelhrimov.
Production Method
Camomile is a strong crop that adapts easily to climatic conditions and to the soil suitable for this type of cultivation with few phases and little care. Before being mechanically sowed, the soil requires medium ploughing, harrowing at a superficial level and weeding. During the growing season, compound artificial fertilisers are applied to the crop. As soon as the flowers bloom they are harvested by special machinery. The flowers are then dried at a maximum temperature of 40°C and transported to treatment lines where they are sorted and carefully examined.
Appearance and Flavour
Chamomilla Bohemica PDO has the typical pleasant and delicate aroma of camomile and it is characterized by its essential oil content of up to 1%, the main active constituent of this is 0,06-0,07 % of chamazulene.
History
The production of Chamomilla Bohemica PDO prides itself on having a long-standing tradition and in fact, it has been grown since ancient times in the villages of Bohemia. Starting in the 1950s there was an increase in foreign demand, which resulted in crop specialisation. In order to improve cultivation methods, special machinery has been adjusted to harvest camomile flowers. This machinery has been specially designed to harvest the camomile in a gentler manner.
Gastronomy
The Chamomilla Bohemica PDO must be kept in a fresh, ventilated place away from direct sunlight. This product is generally used to prepare infusions that are typically consumed hot to make the most of its beneficial and tranquilizing properties.
Marketing
The product is sold as Chamomilla Bohemica PDO. It is marketed in the form of tea in paper bags of special capacity marked with the corresponding label.
Distinctive Features
The uniqueness of Chamomilla Bohemica PDO derives from a combination of factors in the growing areas, such as the climate, soil and harvest methods. The quality of the crop is influenced mainly by the appropriate soil type (soil with sand and clay) selected and the amount of rainfall.
