Tell us a few things about yourself. How did you get started? What inspired you to get involved with food?
I am Giorgos Antoniadis and I was born in the city of Drama, where I grew up until I began my studies at the School of Agriculture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
I am a farmer – producer – agronomist – and merchant of the products I cultivate.
I live with my family in the city of Drama, but I am active on my ancestral land in Ano Pyxari, a cluster of settlements, in the village of Teichos, just a few kilometers outside the city where I reside.
Childhood dreams, which later became goals, studies, pursuits, research, concerns, persistent work, and above all, strong will, led me to the land of my grandparents, where the soil and climate conditions harmonize perfectly to create the ideal circumstances to fulfill my visions—which quickly became needs—cultivating aromatic and medicinal plants.
Tell us a few words about the brand. What does it stand for? What was your goal in creating it?
I founded Sevi Exceptional Botanic in 2019, a company that specializes in the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants:
Oregano • Sage • Rosemary • Mountain Tea (Sideritis scardica) • Thyme • Savory • Mint • Lemon Verbena • Lemon Balm • Chamomile
My main concern is that we, the new generation of producers, try to eliminate the consumer’s fear regarding the safety of food produced in today’s modern and automated societies.
Simply put, what I produce for myself and my family is exactly what I want to reach the final consumer.
How did you start? What challenges did you face?
I would say that the journey of a producer is full of challenges. This profession is directly tied to the land, the soil, and weather conditions we face throughout the year. But these aren’t the only difficulties. It also depends on the type of crop each producer chooses, the knowledge they need to have, and the personal (mostly physical) effort required. It’s often a journey into the unknown, steered by hope.
Greek producers, with their persistence, work ethic, and increasingly higher level of education—even if not directly related to agriculture—by returning to their roots and making use of the excellent soil and climate conditions, are capable of proving their competitiveness.
Tell us about your products. What makes them different?
A total of 15 acres are cultivated with aromatic and medicinal plants, most of them being rain-fed. There are two main product categories: items packaged in paper containers in specific quantities (e.g., Oregano 50g, Thyme 50g, Mountain Tea 20g, etc.), and pyramid tea bags—both single-variety and blends of aromatic and medicinal herbs—all cultivated within our production activity.
Sevi Exceptional Botanic products aim to bring Greek nature to the table and cup of the modern consumer. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between the consumer and the product. Consumers now prefer high-quality, non-industrial products. In other words, they first choose the producer, and through them, the products.
Tell us about your raw materials.
The soil and climate conditions of the region offer the ideal environment for growing aromatic and medicinal plants—not necessarily for high yield, but for excellent and authentic quality. The plants are harvested by hand, and dried naturally in a specially designed space. The pure products of Sevi Exceptional Botanic are rich in aroma and flavor and retain their quality unchanged.
Are there any products that stand out for you?
It’s difficult for me to single out any of the products I produce. Each has its own characteristics and requirements, but they are all treated with the same care to yield exceptional results.
Give us some suggestions on how to use your products (beyond the usual methods, tips, or recipes, etc.)
There’s nothing particularly unusual in how our products are used—they can be added to food to enhance its aroma and flavor. The pyramid tea bags offer a quick and easy beverage option. Beyond their rich aroma and taste, our products also offer beneficial properties for human health.
Can Greek producers make a difference during times of crisis?
That should be the goal—for producers to make a difference. In recent years, we’ve been largely confined within the Greek market, unfortunately and unfairly, without support. Nowadays, international markets are a necessity. We have all the tools to succeed: scientific training, blessed land, ideal climate conditions, and above all, willpower, motivation, and resilience.
Why did you choose to participate in and support the Wise Greece Initiative?
Wise Greece gives small producers the opportunity to have a presence. Small producers form the backbone of the Greek economy. By offering this platform, producers are given opportunities for exposure, recognition, and product promotion—both within Greece and, more importantly, for exports, where self-made small producers are often at a disadvantage.
Wise Greece donates its profits from the sale of our products to vulnerable social groups—people who are in need. Its main focus is zero hunger, quality education, decent work, economic growth, responsible consumption and production. Wise Greece is a multi-awarded organization, and it is our honor and joy to be part of its goals and achievements.
