Herb harvesting is the cutting of aromatic plants at the growth stage when essential oil content is highest, typically just before or during flowering, to maximise aroma, colour and quality in the finished dried product.
In trade practice
Harvesters time cutting to early morning after dew has dried, as heat later in the day accelerates oil volatilisation. Cutting height is set to retain enough stem for regrowth while minimising woody material in the batch. Freshly cut material is transported quickly to the processing facility to prevent wilting and microbial development. Buyers auditing Ukrainian herb suppliers check harvest records and field-to-dryer transit times as part of quality assurance.
In a specification
A procurement specification may state the permitted growth stage at harvest, maximum time between cutting and processing, and the minimum volatile oil content the harvested material must achieve on testing.