Maison Laget’s value proposition, from harvesting to production.
MADE IN FRANCE
Maison Laget embodies the very essence of what an environementally-responsible approach to preserving our environment and economy should look like.
We favour what we call in French ‘short circuit retail’ with as few stages as possible between producers and consumers for better traceability but especially in order to preserve the incredible richness of the Provencal scrublands. Thus, for example, all of our Lavender-based products are harvested from small Provencal villages whose economic fabric and continued existence depend on this culture and it’s transmission from generation to generation.
Wherever possible and for each of our products, we will always favour French crops of equivalent quality and our brand is firmly committed to French raw materials, French know-how and local labour. Having said that, obviously, Tea tree grows in Australia or South Africa…not in France.
NATURAL ORGANIC PRODUCTS
The harvesting by hand of wild plants is a crucial step.
When the plants reach their aromatic maturity they are hand-picked by our harvesters who pick solely what is required in order to preserve the young shoots and ensure the harvests for the following seasons. They choose harvesting sites that are free of pollution while treating the ecosystem they work in with the utmost respect.
We favour ancestral gestures, methods and tools to ensure the correct preservation of the properties of each species as we strive to preserve the ‘know-how’ that constitutes the intangible heritage of our Region.
Maison Laget relies on the premise that plants are sufficient in and of themselves in delivering their full range of benefits. As a consequence we favour simple formulations based exclusively on plants and have banished all additives derived from petrochemicals. We are one of the rare brands that offer hydrosols with such a high plant content by volume and no preservatives !
We rely on traditional manufacturing methods at each and every step of our processes , from the drying of plant materials, distillation and blending of the ingredients, to cold-glazing for our perfumes, in order to achieve the highest quality possible.
Our essential oils are E.O.B.B.D. certified (Essential Oils Botanically and Biologically Defined). We always tell you:
1/ The exact botanical species (Latin name),
2/ The plant parts used (leaves, flowers, roots, etc.),
3/ The biochemical specificity known as chemotype (the dominant molecules) which can vary greatly according to the time and place of harvest and is determined in a laboratory by gas chromatography.
The above criteria are essential as they determine the properties of an essential oil and as a consequence the uses you can make of it. On the other hand, we have opted for a traditional slow steam distillation extraction system using a first cold pressed mechanical process in order to guarantee optimal quality . The plant releases a higher quantity of molecules as compared to ‘standard’ oils, which is the reason for our oils’ exceptional molecular and aromatic saturation.
QUALITY CHARTER, ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ECO DESIGN
Beyond the certifications that demonstrate our brand’s committment to organic standards, we are part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach, particularly in terms of the environment. Wherever possible our containers are recyclable (glass or PET bottles) or made from recycled materials. Having said that, we never compromise on the quality or ease-of-use of our products. Thus, for example, the glass bottles containing our hydrosols are tinted so as to preserve the properties of their contents. Our PET refills allow us to reduce the overall carbon footprint of our products on the environment as, unlike other types of plastic, PET plastic is not single-use but is 100% recyclable. Furthermore, most of our creams are packaged in flexible "airless" tubes which guarantees optimal conservation and maximises product restitution to avoid loss and wastage. Furthermore, whislt we we take the greatest care in preparing your orders, we have consciously chosen to avoid over-packaging. Even the wedging flaps are made of vegetable matter , so just toss them in your composter!
SEASONAL WELL-BEING
Plants are our raison d’être and we recognise that seasonality is of the utmost importance. In our bid for the ‘highest quality possible’ it is essential for us to respect nature’s calendar. There is a ‘right’ time and a ‘wrong’ time for wild harvesting: there is a ‘right’ time within the season but there is also a ‘right’ time of the day! As an example, a plant picked too soon after the morning dew has dissipated could generate mold and result in the loss of all or part of the harvest!
As another example, in general bark is harvested during the winter months when the sap has gone down to the roots.. The Linden sapwood however, is a bit of an exception: it must be harvested towards the end of spring, when the sap rises. The underground parts on the other hand are harvested either in autumn or spring, but crucially before the plant develops again. The stems of herbaceous plants are cut before flowering, as are the leaves. The flowers can be harvested at the bud stage or a little before full bloom, similarly to certain flowering tops, such as Peppermint, that are subsequently distilled.
We always follow best practise regarding seasonality and timing because they determine both the properties the plant will offer, but will also determine when their transformation into vegetable oil, macerate, essential oil, or dry plant matter tea will yield optimal results.
Drying times for the best possible conservation will aslo vary from species to species.
