Egypt — and the Fayoum region in particular — is a long-established origin for chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, German chamomile), the small daisy-like flower behind one of the world’s most popular herbal teas. Here is how to specify and source it.
What you are buying
The traded product is the dried flower head. Quality is judged largely on the proportion of clean, intact flower heads versus stalk and fine material, on colour, and — for extract and oil buyers — on essential-oil content.
Forms you can buy
- Whole flower heads — the premium grade for loose infusions and appearance-led brands.
- Cut / tea-bag cut — sized for tea bags and blends.
- Selected / extraction grades — specified where essential-oil content or low-microbial material is the priority.
Quality parameters to specify
- Flower-head content — the share of whole heads vs. stalk/dust; the core grade driver.
- Essential-oil content — relevant for extract, oil and stronger-aroma tea buyers (chamomile oil is prized for bisabolol and chamazulene).
- Moisture & cleanliness — for shelf life and freedom from foreign matter.
- Microbiology & pesticide residues — to your market’s limits (for example EU MRLs).
Typical uses
Herbal and wellness teas, botanical extracts, essential oil, and cosmetic and personal-care formulations. As with hibiscus, the right form and grade depend on the application — share it with your supplier so the cut and specification match.
Sourcing it from Egypt
Chamomile is seasonal and labour-intensive to harvest, so confirm availability against the crop calendar and lock your quality with an approved reference sample. Agree the tests and documents your destination needs before ordering. A grower-exporter that cleans, grades, tests and documents in-house keeps quality and paperwork under one roof.
El Yasmina supplies chamomile in whole and cut grades to tea buyers, extractors and private-label packers. See the chamomile product page, or read our buyer’s guide to sourcing Egyptian herbs & spices.