Sorting and grading
Visual and sensory inspection on arrival, removal of foreign matter and unsuitable parts, grading by quality, size and appearance.
Home Processing
Processing of plant materials.
Leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, berries, pods and stigmas: for each botanical we choose the process that preserves its aroma, colour and active compounds.
Botanicals we work with
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Roots & rhizomes
- Seeds
- Berries & fruit
- Barks
- Pods
- Stigmas
- Resins
- Mushrooms
Running processes
Primary processing
From raw material to a stable product, ready for sale or further processing.
Drying
Controlled removal of water at low temperature, usually between 35 and 55 °C depending on the botanical, with constant airflow. Lowering moisture and water activity stabilises the product without preservatives and keeps its colour and aroma.
Also available as toll processing for growers and cooperatives. Toll drying
Cutting, milling and sifting
Size reduction from tea cut (C/S, TBC) down to fine powder, with sifting for an even particle size. This is how we make ground spices, infusion bases and seasoning mixes.
Blending
Blends of herbs, flowers and spices to our recipe or yours, for teas, seasonings and mixes. Weighed doses recorded by lot; your recipe stays confidential.
Portioning and packing
Weighing and packing in barrier pouches, jars, tubes and food-grade sacks for bulk; essential oils in amber bottles. Labels compliant with EU Reg. 1169/2011, with lot code and best-before date.
Quality control
Sampling of every lot, laboratory checks and analysis with internationally recognised methods in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories. Results go into the Merlisfam quality sheet.
Research and development
Extractions
Our research and development line: botanical extracts for food, wellness and cosmetics, made by project.
Hydroalcoholic maceration
R&DThe plant material steeps cold in a water-ethanol mixture of defined strength for days or weeks, then is filtered and pressed. This is the basis of tinctures and aromatic extracts.
Cold maceration, infusion and decoction
R&DWater extraction at different temperatures: cold for the most delicate parts, infusion for flowers and leaves, decoction for roots and barks. The result is aromatic bases for drinks, syrups and preparations.
Oil macerates
R&DDried plant material macerated in vegetable oil (olive, sunflower, sweet almond), cold or in a low-temperature water bath, to carry the fat-soluble components into the oil. For food and cosmetic use.
Percolation
R&DThe solvent passes slowly, drop by drop, through ground plant material packed in the percolator, constantly renewed. Compared with static maceration, extraction is more complete and faster.
In practice
From botanical to product.
A few examples of how we combine processes.
| Botanical | Examples | Processing | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Oregano, mint, bay, moringa | Drying, cutting, sifting | Leaf herbs, tea cuts, powders |
| Flowers | Chamomile, hibiscus, calendula, mallow | Drying, cutting, blending | Herbal teas, infusion bases |
| Seeds and fruit | Fennel, cumin, cardamom, peppers | Sorting, milling | Whole seeds, ground spices |
| Roots, rhizomes and barks | Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon | Drying, cutting, decoction | Tea cuts, powders, aromatic bases |
| Pods and stigmas | Vanilla, saffron, senna | Sorting, milling, portioning | Whole, powders, single doses |
| Vegetables and mushrooms | Onion, garlic, local mushrooms | Drying, cutting | Flakes, granules, powders |
| Medicinal herbs | Calendula, St John's wort, lavender | Oil and hydroalcoholic maceration | Oil macerates, tinctures |
Have a specific botanical or requirement?
We design the process with you, from small-scale trials to production. For growers we also work on a toll basis.