The Weblog
The local foods movement is alive and well in Champaign County! Here are some updates on other projects while we finalize our virtual market:
Local Producers Map:
Our local producers map is ready for publication and you will soon be able to find it on gochampaign.com. Copies will be distributed around the community, in the local telephone book, and other “hangouts”. The guide lists the location and contact information for nearly 50 local producers within our county. The map was a project of the Local Food Council and printed with the help of some local sponsors including the Monument Square District, Champaign Bank, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau and others. It is a great start to finding a local source for Champaign County’s finest!
Warm It Up!
Swisher Hill Herbs also gives us another exciting announcement!!
Warm it up!! New tea blends, on the market!!
Swisher Hill Herbs Introduces Herb Teas
As the weather changes from summer to fall, then into the winter here at Swisher Hill Herbs we enjoy the flavors of Herb teas. You can make teas from a single herb or from a combination of several: some herb teas are delicate, such as lemon grass, chamomile and rosehips. Other herbs, spices and flowers are quite strong flavored like peppermint, hibiscus flowers, cloves, cinnamon and citrus peels. Herb teas can be tart and acidic, mild, fruity, refreshingly minty, or pungent and savory. Finding a combination that you really enjoy is half of the pleasure of drinking Herbal teas. Once you have found a blend you really like you can make up a larger batch and keep it in a larger container or tea tin.
Many people drink herb teas because they are caffeine free, just for the flavor and there are others that turn to herb teas for their therapeutic value to soothe digestion, lift the spirits, induce sleep or ease the misery of a cold. Whatever your choice we are sure you can find an herb tea you enjoy.
You can brew herb tea just like ordinary tea by pouring boiling water over the herbs.( Rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of dried herbs or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs per cup of tea.) Let it steep, covered. Some teas take less than 5 minutes other teas containing roots, citrus peel and spices may take up to 10 minutes to brew. (Brewing teas too long gives them a bitter taste) When brewing teas always use glass, stainless steel, ceramic, enamel, or porcelain kettle or pot, since the alkaloids in herbs are extremely sensitive to metal.
During the summer months you can raise and dry your own ingredients for herb teas. Scented geraniums, lemon balm, mints, chamomile, lemongrass, bergamot, lemon verbena, pineapple sage just to name a few. Save and dry your own citrus peels.
We have had many requests for herb teas. We will begin by offering a selection of single common herbs for teas and also 3 combinations of herbs and spice teas that we enjoy. German Chamomile, peppermint c/s, lemon grass, !hibiscus flowers c/s, and rosehips seedless, are the three herb teas, and Fruit Tea, Crimson Berry and Orange spice are the tea blends. For a quick find on the virtual market; look in Categories, then under Herbs and spices.
Enjoy!
Joe and Charlene Stapleton