This blog was originally published in 2012. Because it's so popular, we decided to update it for you. Enjoy! 

It's the time of year where pumpkin spice scents and flavors are popping up everywhere. Instead of reaching for a candle or room spray that's chock full of synthetic fragrances, try making your own diffuser blend with certified organic essential oils to bring those familiar pie-inspired smells into your space!

Preserving food is so much more than extending the year’s harvest. It’s a way to connect with the practices of our ancestors. No matter what part(s) of the world your cultural lineage descends from, your relatives preserved food in one way or another. As we begin to transition into the colder months, I channel that knowledge and dream of how my pantry will evolve throughout the harvest. As the cabbages in my humble garden begin to peak, I get excited thinking of all of the different flavors of sauerkraut I can create.

Believe it or not, pepper was once more valuable than gold. In fact, it was used as currency as early as 1000 B.C. This favorite spice originated in southern India but now makes an appearance on spice racks and kitchen tables all around the world. While black peppercorns may be the most commonly used, we love having a variety of peppercorns in our culinary toolbox. They add different flavors (and colors) to anything they touch!

In the fall we enjoy the cooler nights and shorter days, not to mention the lovely foliage as the last bits of chlorophyll fade from the leaves. One of our favorite rituals at this time of year to mark the change in seasons is to sit down with a steaming mug of beautiful organic flowering tea.

Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of Tom Kha? I’m yet to encounter such a person. I first discovered this tasty Thai soup back in college at a local Eugene, Oregon joint. The trifecta of fresh and traditional herbs completely blew my mind. Lemongrass, Thai makrut lime leaves, and galangal root (where the “kha” in “tom kha” comes from) give this soup its incredible and unmistakable flavor. 

Fire Cider is a popular (and tasty!) herbal folk remedy popularized by esteemed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar (who inspired the recipe below). This tasty vinegar infusion powered by warming and wellness-supporting ingredients is an especially pleasant and easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and raise your internal thermostat on cold days. Mmm...mmm!...how we love this hot and sweet, zesty, vinegary recipe!

Earlier this summer, The Future of Ginseng and Forest Botanicals Symposium was held on the beautiful Monongahela River in Morgantown, West Virginia. This critical event was organized by Dr. Susan Leopold, Executive Director of the nonprofit United Plant Savers, and we were pleased to be in attendance.

Ginger has been valued as a fresh and zesty spice for centuries as well as a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine and many other herbal traditions. Its first recorded uses were discovered in ancient Sanskrit and Chinese texts, and it can now be found in homes across the globe. Not only is ginger renowned for supporting healthy digestion, but it’s also known for its unique flavor that adds a spicy kick to a variety of dishes.

In early August, we had the pleasure of visiting with herbalist Richo Cech from Strictly Medicinal Seeds at his ranch in southern Oregon. We were greeted not only by Richo’s friendly smile, but also by his beautiful garden full of thriving herbs and happy pollinators.

Amyris is a subtle beauty in the world of essential oils. Distilled from the wood of Amyris balsamifera, it imparts a lovely woody scent that may surprise you. It is commonly used as a fixative or base note in blends, and it is sometimes incorporated into sandalwood-like aromas.

Caffeine is a way of life in modern western culture. The philosopher Terence McKenna once jokingly quipped that if caffeine were to disappear from the western diet the economy might collapse due to no one getting any work done! Here at Mountain Rose Herbs, we certainly enjoy our organic black and green teas, organic yerba mate, and even organic, fairly traded coffee. Some of us like to get creative with our caffeine intake, and guarana seed offers an excellent alternative.