BLOEM - JULY 2024
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ROOTED IN LOVE<br />
Janine Honiball is the owner and founder of La Vie Herbs. La Vie, meaning “life” in<br />
French, reflects how herbs have enriched Janine’s life and health. Founded in 2018,<br />
the business started by selling herbs at local markets. A significant breakthrough<br />
came in 2020 with a contract to supply Checkers, leading to substantial growth. La<br />
Vie Herbs now employs 13 people and operates multiple packing rooms.<br />
Janine started planting herbs in her garden to enhance her<br />
recipes. Microgreens, in particular, caught her attention due<br />
to their simplicity and health benefits.<br />
“The scent of fresh herbs is irreplaceable in any kitchen,” she<br />
says. Knowing they were organically grown added an extra<br />
layer of satisfaction.<br />
In her quest for healthy, natural flavourings free from MSG<br />
and artificial colourants, Janine began experimenting with<br />
fresh herbs. “I was immediately captivated by the wonderful<br />
taste of fresh herbs in my food,” she explains.<br />
The irreplaceable taste of fresh herbs makes them a kitchen<br />
staple. Unlike artificial seasonings, fresh herbs are healthier<br />
and add unique flavours to various dishes. “Fresh herbs are<br />
healthier than artificial soup powders and other unhealthy<br />
seasonings,” Janine emphasises.<br />
According to Janine, herbs are easy to grow, especially in<br />
the dry, warm climate of the Free State and they also deter<br />
pests, making them beneficial for other garden plants.<br />
La Vie Herbs offers around 15 different herb seedlings, which<br />
grow easily from seeds. “Any person who likes fresh herbs<br />
can easily own a small herb garden.”<br />
She believes herbs are not just for salads. They enhance<br />
the flavours of all kinds of dishes, from stews and roasts to<br />
vegetables and even desserts. For instance, sage, Janine’s<br />
favourite – “sage becomes crunchy when fried in butter, and<br />
is delicious with pork and gnocchi,” she shares.<br />
La Vie Herbs’ also offers workshops that focus on<br />
microgreens, sprouts, and edible flowers. Participants learn<br />
the entire process, from planting to using these nutrientrich<br />
‘superfoods’ in their cooking.<br />
“The microgreens and sprouts are packed with vitamins<br />
and they are also called ‘Superfood’,” Janine explains. The<br />
two-hour sessions are hands-on and enjoyable, providing<br />
all the materials needed. To prolong the freshness of herbs<br />
Janine advises that you wash them in salt water, dry them<br />
thoroughly, and store them in a container with a paper<br />
towel.<br />
When it comes to edible flowers, she says they’re mainly<br />
used for garnishing and they can brighten up any dish.<br />
Winter-blooming flowers like violets are ideal, but flowers<br />
can also be dried in the summer for winter use. “During the<br />
workshops, we show people how to dry edible flowers in a<br />
50 Get It Bloemfontein July <strong>2024</strong> getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
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