Cardamom Seed
Elettaria cardamomum
1 oz.
 |
Cardamom is a distinctive spice from the same family as ginger. Its flavor, 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 Style beer. |
$2.59
|
Cinnamon Sticks Cinnamomum cassia
1 oz.
 |
Known principally as a flavoring for savory dishes in Asia and Africa and for its use in pastries and beverages, cinnamon has also found sits way into recipes for spicy holiday ales and ciders, sodas, coffees and teas. |
$2.09
|
Coriander Seed Coriandrum sativum
1 oz.
 |
Ancient Egyptian and Sanskrit texts document the use of coriander for more than 3,000 years. The Chinese once believed the herb conferred immortality and in the Middle Ages it was put into love potions as an aphrodisiac. Coriander is now widely used in specialty and Belgian style beers. |
$1.69
|
Dried Elderberries Sambucus nigra
8 oz.

|
Native to the British Isles, the small dark elderberry makes an excellent “port” style wine. The appearance of berries on the bushes is said to have signalled farmers when to sow their wheat. The berries are also reputed to have been used to make one of the first black hair dyes in ancient Greece. |
$9.49
|
Dried Elderflowers Sambucus nigra flora
2
oz.
 |
These natural wonders are good for the outside as well as the inside. Elderflowers infused in creams have been used to soften skin, smooth wrinkles, fade freckles and soothe sunburn. They can also be used on their own for making wine or can be added to elderberry wine to enhance flavor. On their own, they produce a wine compared to a muscatel. Hot elderflower tea, like chamomile, can make a smoothing nightcap and is said to offer natural relief for the common cold. |
$4.99
|
Sweet Gale
Myrica gale
2 Grams
 |
Also called “Bog Myrtle” and “Badge of the Campbells,” Sweet Gale is a delicious shrub with fragrant wood and leaves abundantly in the Northern Hemisphere especially on the Scottish moors and bogs. It has been used as a substitute for hops in Yorkshire in a named appropriately “Gale Beer.” The seeds and leaves have also been used in soups and stews, perfumes and candles. This is not surprising as it is in the same family as Bayberry, which is a popular candle scent. Used as a tea infusion it has been known to ease stomach disorders. This relativelyunknown herb is well suited for Holiday beers. |
$1.79
|
Heather Tips
Calluna vulgaris
2 oz.
 |
It is both the flowers and the greenery of this wonderful herb which impart a leasing aroma and smooth bitterness to beers. It is especially appropriate for a Scotch ales known as Fraoch. With a flavor similar to a subtle chamomile/mint blend with a hint of lavender, heather pairs well with honey. It is also great for tea, with reputed calming qualities. |
$3.09
|
Juniper Berries Juniperus communis
1 oz.

|
Usually known as the principal flavoring in gin, it is also used to flavor beer and other beverages. Native Americans have utilized juniper for its healing powers and to relieve arthritis. In folk lore, juniper planted outside a door kept out witches who had to correctly count its needles before entering the house. |
$2.19
|
Dried Licorice Root Glycyrrhiza glabra
1 oz.
 |
Do not confuse the flavor of licorice with that of anise, which is not related and it is quite different when tasted side by side. Licorice has been used for everything from cough remedies to ulcer cures. The root imparts a very characteristic flavor and is surprisingly sweet. It contains glycyrrhizin, a substance 50 times sweeter than sugar, and is often added to chocolate to enhance sweetness. |
$2.29
|
Dried Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
1 oz.

|
As the name implies, Mugwort was traditionally used in mugs of beer before the popularity of hops. Europeans frequently stuffed pillows with mugwort and hops to bring good and vivid dreams. Mugwort has also been used as a medicinal tea for centuries and is proven to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as a cure for many common ailments; from digestion problems to asthma. It can even be used as an insect repellent. |
$2.59
|
Bitter Orange Peel Aurantium amarae pericarpium
1 oz.
 |
Also called “Curacao orange peel” these green-gray peels are one of the most popular specialty herbs on the market. They are used commercially by domestic brewers to duplicate the beer styles that put Belgium on the brewing map. While not very bitter, they are a key ingredient in Belgium style white beers. |
$2.29
|
Sweet Orange Peel Auranthium dulcis pericarpium
1 oz.
 |
While a cousin to the Florida orange, this sweet variety will not give your beer a metallic taste like the domestic version. If you’re familiar with the taste of cointreau or Grand Marnier then you will be thrilled with the flavor that sweet orange peel can add to your Belgian style strong ales and special holiday brews. |
$2.29
|
Paradise Seeds Aframomum melegueta
2 Grams
 |
Also called “grains of paradise,” “Guinea grains” and “Melegueta pepper,” these small seeds look like cardamom but have a character all of their own. The spice is native to West Africa and during medieval times was used to flavor food. It has also been used as a pepper substitute. While it does have a peppery “zing” it also has notes of citrus and an “earthy” pine aroma. |
$1.39
|
Rose Hips
Rosa canina
3 oz.
 |
Used in wines, teas, speciality 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 wines as the seeds can add undesirable tannins. |
$3.99
|
Indian Sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus
1 oz.
 |
The herb takes its name from the Spanish “sarza” meaning a bramble, a “parilla,” a vine. It is a misconception that sarsaparilla is the primary flavor of the beverage containing its name. Refreshing sarsaparilla is made from a root beer type base to which has been added to beverages to help improve mouthfeel and head retention, but mainly for its medicinal properties as an agent to cure mouth sores, rheumatism and dropsy. |
$3.19
|
Star Anise
Illicium verum
1 oz.
 |
In times past, fresh star anise was chewed after each meal to aid digestion and to sweeten the breath. Used in specialty Belgian and holiday style beers, star anise has a flavor similar to licorice, yet is dramatically different when tasted side by side. |
$2.89
|
Dried Wintergreen Leaves Gaultheria procumbens
1 oz.

|
While many people confuse wintergreen with mint, they are not related in any way. Wintergreen has long been used as an herbal remedy for arthritis, swollen joints and sore muscles. It goes by many names: teaberry, checkerberry, dearberry, spiceberry, boxberry and even a tea party. The latter refers to its use during the American Revolution as a substitute for heavily taxed British tea. |
$2.49
|
Dried Woodruff Asperula odorata

|
Woodruff was one of the essential garlands hung in medieval European churches in preparation for holidays. The distinctive scent of fresh-cut hay and vanilla gives an exhilarating flavor to wines, punches and beer. Woodruff is considered by the FDA to be safe for use in alcoholic beverages but caution is advised for other internal uses. |
$2.79
|
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
1 oz.
 |
The principal ingredient in the legendary liqueur Absinthe, wormwood use dates back to before 1600 BC. Its powerful bitterness was prized by brewers, as were its strong antibacterial properties. Wormwood has a mild minty, licorice aroma, but it has extremely strong herbal bittering properties. The FDA advises against the internal use of wormwood as it contains thujone, which can be harmful if injested in large amounts. |
$2.59
|