Did you know?
Spruce buds are an ancient medicine to the Scandinavian and American Indian people. They have more vitamin C than citrus fruit and contain vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, and chlorophyl as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial compounds. Finally, they contain shikimic acid which is the starting compound for making tamiflu.
Fresh spruce buds can be eaten right off the tree and were commonly used for tea to treat cold and flu. Some even believe they can be preventative and healing for COVID, but the FDA does not approve this statement.
We like to eat them fresh as well as use them in tea with cinnamon and orange - warm or iced. That goes well with a little maple syrup if you need it sweet. There are several spruce beer recipes online and some people infuse gin and vodka with spruce.
If you would like to buy a bag of organic spruce buds, fresh off the farm in Sackets Harbor, emaill tarzia@agbotic.com and request. They are tender for the next 2 weeks at $25 per pound, hand picked for use now or you can freeze for use during cold and flu season.
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