The Maremma area of southern Tuscany boasts Mediterranean blue skies and clear sunshine. Here, hedged by holm oak trees, you can see rows of olive grey bushes, their branches heavy with bright little sea buckthorn berries. A balance of rich soil, ideal temperatures, and the power of the sun create this vibrant supercharged fruit. Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A, C and E, the sea buckthorn berries possess wonderful health and skin-protection benefits. Edible and highly sought after, 3.5 ounces of this juice can contain about 600 milligrams of Vitamin C; this is almost ten times the amount of vitamin C found in the same volume of raw orange juice.
Hailing originally from Central Asia, sea buckthorn would eventually migrate to grow wild in the mountains of Italy and Switzerland. Unfortunately industrialization and overutilization threatened this beautiful plant.
Enter Kurt Künzi, a sea buckthorn-harvesting pioneer, to save the day. Mr. Künzi analyzed 120 different species of sea buckthorn and selected the varieties that grew best in the ecological conditions of his 350-acre San Mario farm in Tuscany. Today, thanks to Mr. Künzi and his strict Biodynamic© cultivation methods, the plant is flourishing. As the first farmer to cultivate sea buckthorn biodynamically we like to call him the “Sea Buckthorn King”.
For more than 11 years now, Weleda has partnered with Mr. Künzi and the San Mario farm as one of our Fair Trade partners. He provides Weleda with a variety of sea buckthorn called Gala 7, which is best suited for use in skin care. Weleda uses this beautiful plant in our Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion, Body Oil, Hand Cream and Creamy Body Wash.
To see how Mr. Künzi and his team harvest these bright berries and learn even more about Mr. Künzi’s farm check out the video below:
http://youtu.be/UFHiqjNDBpo
We hoped you’ve enjoyed this short trip to Italy with us. Feel free to comeback and visit as often as you like.
Love the nutrients packed into these bright little berries? Share your favorite Weleda sea buckthorn product with us in the comment section below and you will be entered to win a sea buckthorn inspired gift basket! Entries will be accepted until Friday 11/19 at 11:59pm. Winner will be randomly selected from the entries we receive, emailed directly and (once confirmed) posted on our Facebook page. Helpful hint: ‘share’ your favorite on Facebook & Twitter too using @Weleda; they will count for additional entries. Good luck!