iv: Notes from the Brew Room
Frothy and fragrant Ann King
For the last couple of months, here in the Brew Room, we have been harnessing the vital and energetic harvests from this year's wonderfully long spring. Since the summer solstice, we have enjoyed a welcome pause to this feverpitched activity. This month is sometimes known as a lean period in horticultural circles. It's a time to relax, enjoy the summer heat, and watch the fruits of spring labour literally forming in front of us. However, when we stop and begin to unwind after a particularly busy or stressful spell, sometimes the body reacts to the adrenaline imbalance by presenting us
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with illness. As ever, nature comes up trumps by offering us the glorious Filipendula ulmaria. Its earthy, fragrant blooms rival Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) for scent, and the frothy creamy flowers will brighten most damp, shady spots for the rest of the summer. Meadowsweet originally came from the genus Spirea, which gave Aspirin its name. The plant contains salicylate salts and vital mucilage components which protect the digestive tract whilst providing anti-inflammatory relief— a great example of how using the whole plant can be beneficial.
