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HERBS & SPICES
Herbs and Spices are plants which delight the senses. For centuries herbs and spices have been used in brewing beer and wine making. Homebrewers and wine makers add herbs and spices to balance flavors. Herbs and spices are plants which delight the senses and offer a rewarding combination of beauty and usefulness. For centuries herbs and spices have been regarded as essential to daily life. We believe that our herbs and spices are essential to the creation of unique specialty beer, wine, vinegar, tea and other beverages. It has never been easier to find all of the herbs you need in one convenient location.

ROOTS AND BARKS
CINNAMON STICKS 1 oz. $1.60-
Used in spicy holiday ales and ciders.
SASSAFRAS ROOT BARK 1 oz $2.50-
This is the bark of the sassafras tree and must be used in place af sassafras root. It is not recommended that sassafras root be consummed in any form. Sassafras bark works just as well in any recipe.
INDIAN SARSAPARILLA 2 oz. $2.30-
It is a misconception that sarsaparilla is the primary flavor of the beverage bearing it's name. Sarsaparilla is made from a root beer base to with several roots and herbs have been added. This herb was originally added to help improve mouth feel and head retention, and for it's medicinal properties to cure mouth sores and rheumatism.
GINGER ROOT 1 oz. $1.60-
Probably the most widely used herb for holiday beers, the rhizome grows in the tropics and was brought to the New World via Jamaica by Conquistadors.
LICORICE ROOT 1 oz. $2.10-
Licorice has been used for everything from coughs to ulcers. It imparts a very characteristic flavor and is very sweet containing glycyrrhizin which is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Do not confuse the flavor of licorice with that of anise, which a poor imitation.

ORANGE PEEL
SWEET ORANGE PEEL 1 oz. $1.50-
This sweet variety will not give your beer a metallic taste like domestic versions. With the taste of Cointreau or Grand Marnier you will be thrilled with the flavor it can add to your Belgian style strong ales and holiday brews.
homemade kits
 
BITTER ORANGE PEEL 1 oz. $1.80-
Also called Curaco orange peel, these are one of the most popular specialty herbs. They are a key ingredient in Belgian style beer.

SEEDS AND SPICES
CARDAMOM SEED 1 oz. $2.10-
Cardamom is a distinctive spice from the same family as ginger which has been described as a Spicy cola”, combines well with coriander, cumin and orange, and often all are used together in specialty Belgian and Holiday beer.
CORIANDER SEED 1 oz. $1.20-
Ancient Egyptian and Sanskrit texts document the use of coriander for more than 3,000 years. The Chinese believed the herb conferred immortality. In the Middle Ages it was used in love potions as an aphrodisiac.
PARADISE SEEDS 2 gr. $1.10-
Also called Grains of Paradise, Guinea Grains, and Melegueta Pepper. Native to West Africa and during medieval times was used to flavor food. It has also been used as pepper. Pepper zing, citrus notes, pine aroma.
STAR ANISE 1 oz. $1.80-
Has a flavor similar to licorice. Used is specialty Belgian ales and holiday style beers. Also used in root beers and cordials.

HERBS AND FLOWERS
ELDERBERIES (dried) 8 oz. $8.95-
Native to the British Isles, the small dark colored elderberry makes an excellent port style wine. The berries are said to have been used in the first black hair dyes in ancient Greece.
ELDERFLOWERS (dried) 2 oz. $2.95-
Elderflowers infused in creams have been used to soften skin, smooth wrinkles, fade freckles and soothe sunburn. They can be used on their own for making wine or can be added to elderberry wine to enhance flavor. Elderflower tea is said to relief colds.
HEATHER TIPS 2 oz. $2.40-
Imparts a pleasant aroma and smooth bitterness in beer.
JUNIPER BERRIES 1 oz. $1.90-
Usually known as the principal flavoring in gin, it is also used to flavor beer. Native Americans have used juniper to relieve arthritis. Juniper planted by a door kept out witches who had to correctly count its needles before entering.
MUGWORT 1 oz. $2.10-
Used in the Middle Ages to ward off evil possession and was a popular stuffing for roast goose. Europeans frequently stuffed pillows with mugwort and hops to bring good, vivid dreams. It was traditionally used in beer before the popularity of hops. 
ROSE HIPS 3 oz. $2.95-
Used in wines, teas, specialty beer and confections, rose hips are a versatile fruit/herb. Rich in vitamin C, the rose hip shells with the seeds removed are the best type to use for wine as the seeds can add undesirable tannins.
SWEET GALE 2 gr. $1.10-
Also called Bog Myrtle and Badge of the Ampbells, this shrub with fragrant wood and leaves is found on the Scottish moors. Used as hops in a Yorkshire beer named Gale. The seeds and leaves are used in soups, stews, perfumes and candles.
WINTERGREEN LEAVES 1oz. $1.80-
While many people confuse wintergreen with mint, they are not related. Wintergreen has long been used as an herbal remedy for arthritis, swollen joints and sore muscles. It was used during the Revolution as a substitute for heavily taxed British tea.
WOODRUFF (dried) 1 oz. $2.30-
Woodruff was one of the essential garlands hung in medieval European churches in preparation for holidays. Woodruff is considered by the FDA to be safe for use in alcoholic beverages but caution is advised for other internal uses. 
copyright 2004 J.R.Leverentz
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