The Greek sage, growing wild and potent on our olive groves in the harsh rocky conditions of Mani, differs from common sage for its more vigorous taste and fragrance. Its softy hairy leaves and lilac-colored flowers are carefully handpicked one by one and naturally dried. It is said that the Chinese preferred “the Greek sprout” to their own native product for its wide range of medicinal properties and offered three times the quantity of their best tea in exchange.