Maison Tisane
The Crataegus monogyna, pure and in full growth (hero image)

Botanical cuisine

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

Why we love this botanical

H awthorn opens with a soft spiciness in which subtle floral and berry tones move along. The aroma has something of dried grass and warm stone fruit, making the first impression both friendly and subdued. In the mouth, hawthorn feels round and light, like an herb that naturally brings connection. It gives an infusion a calm, cordial tone that invites you to catch your breath.

During steeping, hawthorn slowly deepens from soft yellow to a warm amber tone. The taste remains dry but friendly, with a quiet spiciness that nicely rounds off sharp or fresh botanicals. The infusion acquires a harmonious structure in which flowers, leaves, and soft spices come together elegantly. As a result, hawthorn feels like a mature, enveloping herb that softens blends without taking out the tension.

Habitat & Origin

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a shrub-like tree commonly found in hedges, hedgerows, and light forest edges in Europe and West Asia. It thrives on well-drained, often calcareous soils and benefits from plenty of light and air movement. In late spring, white flower umbels appear with a soft, slightly spicy scent; shortly thereafter, the shrub sets berries that turn red in autumn. For infusions, mostly leaf and flower are harvested, in a short period around full bloom. The twigs are cut and the flower-rich parts carefully dried so that the delicate blossom and soft leaf profile are preserved. Maison Tisane selects hawthorn based on fresh leaf green, intact blossoms, and a calm, light fruity-spicy nose—the basis for a calm, enveloping cup.

Active compounds

Hawthorn contains soft flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and light aromatic acids that determine the mild, spicy-fruity signature. These compounds give infusions structure, a calm dry rounding, and a subtle berry nuance. In blends, hawthorn brings a warm, friendly heart — softly fruity, quietly spicy, and elegantly connecting.

Ayurvedic approach

Hawthorn is read in Ayurveda energetically as cool, soft, and slightly astringent: a profile that soothes Pitta and gives Kapha a friendly opening, while Vata is approached with attention due to the dryness. In European traditions, hawthorn was considered 'spring guard': a shrub that bloomed along boundary paths and symbolized protection and community. Energetically, hawthorn carries that soft boundary feeling — clear, floral, and subtly centering.

Thermal energy (Virya) cooling

Pitta

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light balancing

Vata

Increasing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light increasing

Kapha

Balancing

Increasing Balancing

Effect: light balancing

Flavour profile & Blending

Intensity

Strong

Accessibility

Accessible

Character

Role in the blend

Base or harmonising herb (30–80%): forms the main body of the blend and brings the other ingredients into balance.

The indicated percentage refers to the approximate weight proportion of this herb within the total blend, but it can of course be adjusted to give the herb a more dominant or more subtle role.

Hawthorn supports blends with a soft, herbal-fruity roundness that connects floral elements with light root tones. It gives rosehip more structure, softens the blossom warmth of linden blossom, and makes citrus accents like orange peel friendlier. In combination with raspberry leaf or apple, a quiet, tea-like basis is created. Hawthorn gives blends a cordial, calming bottom that tempers tension without losing character.

Hawthorn pairs nicely with pear tart, crumble, honey yogurt, raisin scones, and soft cream desserts. The light fruit-spiciness lifts mild sweetness and gives creamy preparations more nuance. Also in savory dishes like goat cheese, chicken with citrus, or light autumn vegetables, hawthorn adds a soft, warming undertone.

More flavour details

Selection guide (aroma directions)

Intensity
3
Freshness
1
Citrus
0
Fruity
1
Floral
4
Spicy / Herbal
0
Earthy / Woody
2

Food pairing (structure)

Sweetness
2
Sourness
0
Bitterness
2
Astringency
3
Body
3
Aftertaste length
3
Sharpness / Pungency
0
Blending notes: vegetal (4/10)

Precautions

Heart-warming herb that may interact with cardiac drugs. Check if you use beta-blockers or digoxin.

Experience Hawthorn

Discover the versatility of this botanical in our blends, or use it as the foundation for your own creation in our Blendstudio.


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