Giannis Mathioudakis | THEAGI
My story
My name is Giannis Mathioudakis, and my connection with the land began long before Theagi, through the olive groves I took over from my grandparents. I studied computer science and also work as a radio producer, but in 2020 I decided to start growing organic aromatic herbs in Makres, Heraklion, Crete. The journey has brought its share of challenges. Two consecutive years of prolonged drought have directly reduced our yields, while labour shortages and rising daily wages make increasing production more demanding. Today, I grow oregano, thyme, dittany of Crete, malotira, sage and chamomile, alongside the herbal blends developed under Theagi.
The land
I grow my herbs in Makres, in the mountainous Messara area of southern Heraklion, Crete. The area's microclimate was one of the reasons I chose to develop aromatic herb cultivation here. Over the past two years, prolonged drought has affected the amount we can produce. Through the way I grow and process the herbs, my aim is to preserve as much of their distinctive aroma and flavour as possible until they reach the final product.
How I work
Three decisions define the way I work. I follow certified organic growing methods while respecting the biodiversity around the fields. I harvest and process the herbs by hand, even though labour shortages and rising daily wages make this increasingly demanding as production grows. Finally, I allow the herbs to dry naturally. These choices have shaped my work since 2020. [No specific numerical cost has been provided for these three decisions, and the cost associated with natural drying has not been specified.]
I want each customer to receive Greek herbs grown, harvested and processed according to the methods I have chosen to follow since 2020.
At a glance
Producer: Giannis Mathioudakis
Brand: Theagi
Location: Makres, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Products: Greek aromatic herbs and herbal blends
Established: 2020
Method: Certified organic cultivation, hand harvesting and processing, natural drying
