Since the Middle Ages, Europeans have cherished linen as a familiar, everyday fabric. In many kitchens, there were even closets to store heirloom linens. Wrapping vegetables in moisture-retaining linen cloth for storage was a common practice.
(Photo: A linen-closet tradition from an Austrian farmhouse, from “Spinning Flax in the Alpine Valleys” by Eiko Funada.)
Re-evaluating antibacterial and moisture-retention properties
In modern times, attention has returned to linen’s antibacterial and moisture-retentive qualities, leading to new kitchen goods in Europe and the U.S. One such product is the “vegetable stocker.” By replacing petroleum-based nylon bags with linen, the aim is to create reusable storage that keeps vegetables fresh for longer.
We also pursued product development using these functions. Antibacterial performance was tested by observing the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, and the results were favorable. Through repeated trials, we identified which linen weaves had the most suitable design characteristics.
Limits of testing
However, we realized it is nearly impossible to establish a formal scientific test to prove that vegetables “last longer.” Because of the natural variation among vegetables, definitive data cannot be generated, and no official public test protocols exist. At the same time, culinary experts and researchers who monitored our prototypes reported positive results—vegetables did seem to last longer. Still, because results depend on the individual vegetable and storage conditions, this cannot be claimed as scientific proof.
Someday, we hope to unravel the precise process by which linen may help vegetables stay fresh longer.
Product direction (design)
Inspired by the vegetable stocker, our product planning evolved into user-friendly bag-type designs, based on feedback from monitoring surveys. However, we chose not to advertise them as “vegetable-preserving.” It was a difficult decision, but an important one.
The basic model, the Linen Stocker (shown in the large photo above), comes in three drawstring sizes. These are designed for versatile use—as storage bags, as side bags, and more. They are durable, timeless, and carefully finished.
(Photo: Bottom of Stocker L)
The Marche Bag was designed to integrate with the stocker series. It provides ample space for shopping and can be combined with stocker bags for flexible storage.
(Marche Bag)
The Picnic Bag was developed by adapting a multi-purpose cover into a bag design. Outdoors, it can be spread out as a tablecloth, used to carry miscellaneous items, or even as a seat. For shopping, it can hold many items as long as the handles can be gripped, even if they are oversized.
(Picnic Bag)
Organic linen as material
The yarn used as the base material comes from organic flax grown in fields in the Netherlands. Flax generally requires no pesticides, but because of crop rotation with other plants, the fields cannot be certified organic. However, in reclaimed land areas, flax is grown in monoculture specifically for GOTS certification, and this is the source of our yarn.
This rare organic linen yarn is twisted into multiple plies and woven into canvas to maximize fabric strength. Linen is already known as one of the strongest natural fibers, but twisting multiple yarns makes it even stronger. This philosophy connects to weavearth’s design principle: Durability and Longevity.
Finishing is done with a simple water wash, without chemical treatments. This old-style method results in a rustic, natural texture well-suited to organic linen. Our hope is that these durable bags will be passed down across generations.
(October 2022 note) Due to difficulties in securing future supplies of European (Netherlands) organic linen, we plan to discontinue sales once current stock runs out.
Finally, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Ms. Erico, head of the Neo-Vegetarian Cooking School, and to the many culinary researchers who supported this product’s development. Thank you very much.
(Daitoh)
