New Product: Farmstead Ferments
Photo Credit: Sarah Cramer Shields for Edible Blue Ridge
FARMSTEAD FERMENTS creates raw, naturally-fermented foods and beverages made by hand in small batches featuring sustainably-grown, fresh ingredients procured from local farmers.
Each jar is like a time capsule of seasonal bounty taken from the abundant harvest of the Virginia Piedmont, a region teeming with agricultural history, culture and modern day practice.
Knowing the farmer who grows our food and being well-versed in their growing practices ensures that each batch contains the finest, most fresh ingredients available. We like to call them “eco-locally grown”, meaning that we source from regional farmers who use techniques such as no or low spray, crop rotation, soil building, and other regenerative agricultural practices.
Sourcing our ingredients as close to home as possible preserves small family farms, contributes to our regions food security, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and creates long-lasting and symbiotic relationships with folks we honor and trust who, soon enough, become part of our larger family.
Due to the variances of soil and the seasons, harvesting schedules and techniques, time, temperature and other factors, each batch is completely unique and, thus, truly artisan much like the process of winemaking.
And because Farmstead Ferments are never pasteurized, these wholesome, nutritious and delicious foods are absolutely loaded with life force and teeming with wonderful things like electrolytes, enzymes and probiotics. These jewels catalyze the processes necessary for digestion and assimilation while restoring and increasing the beneficial bacteria of the gut. Fermented foods are also known for their high nutrient content, especially vitamin C, and are said to be anticarcinogenic. All of this adds up to better digestion, increased immunity, enhanced energy levels and improved over-all well-being.
Plus, the zesty and pungent taste of fermented foods is the perfect complement to any meal or as a stand-alone snack. We like to pair them with meats and fish, stuff them into sandwiches, dollop them onto rice or potatoes, stir them into soups and—most especially—enjoy them on top of a leafy green salad (skip the dressing)!
Putting food by after the harvest is a time-honored tradition that allows us to enjoy the flavors of season’s past and fermentation is the best way to preserve these foods while enhancing both nutritional content and flavor. We hope you enjoy the fruits—and the vegetables—of our labor (of love).
Say Hello To Matcha!
Say hello to our new little green friend, Matcha! Matcha, in Layman’s terms, is green tea, but with roughly 10 times the beneficial factors, and that’s saying a lot! The health benefits of matcha tea exceed those of traditional green tea due to the fact that you’re ingesting the whole tea leaf, not just the brewed water. One glass of matcha is equivalent to 10 glasses of green tea in terms of nutritional value and antioxidants, and is packed with 20x more antioxidants than blueberries. Matcha also boosts metabolism and burns calories through the use of amino acids while detoxifying and naturally enhancing mood.
Matcha dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China (618-907) when tea leaves were steamed and formed into bricks for storage and travel. Matcha tea was prepared by roasting and pulverizing the tea, and decocting the resulting tea powder in hot water, adding salt. In the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the method of making powdered tea from steam-prepared dried tea leaves, and preparing the beverage by whipping the tea powder and hot water together in a bowl became popular. Preparation and consumption of powdered tea was formed into a ritual by Zen (Chan) Buddhists. The earliest Chan monastic code in existence, entitled Chanyuan qinggui (禪苑清規, Rules of Purity for the Chan Monastery, 1103), describes in detail the etiquette for tea ceremonies.
Today, we’ve included this superfood into three drinks available at our juice bar.
Hot Matcha 12oz $3.49 16oz $3.99 - matcha, agave, steamed milk
Cold Matcha 12oz $3.49 16oz $3.99 - matcha, agave, milk over ice
Matcha Smoothie 12oz $3.49 16oz $3.99 - matcha, yogurt, agave, banana, blended with ice
Just In: Fromage D’Affinois with Truffles!
We just got in three wheels of Fromage d’Affinois with TRUFFLES! This is what you have been waiting for. The creamyness of the fromager d’affinois mixed with the delicate flavor of black truffles from Perigord, France. This is the perfect combination for success. Creamy,buttery paste is laced with truffles,and it melts on the tongue as the flavor of earthy mushrooms and sweet cream caress the palate.
Found mainly in the roots of oak trees,truffles are a prized food that impart complex flavors. The tradition of adding truffles to cheese goes back centuries. However,not all truffle cheese are created equal. Sometimes the “truffle”flavor in cheeses comes from a truffle oil or extract, but not this one! It’s made with actual truffle shavings giving an incredible texture and amazing aftertaste.
Holiday Crafting with HandsOn Greater Richmond
When
Friday, December 21st / 11:00AM-2:00PM
Location
Ellwood’s Community Classroom
Description
HandsOn Greater Richmond and Ellwood Thompson’s will be coordinating a Holiday Volunteer Service Project in the Ellwood Thompson’s Community Room on December 21st to support Richmond area Nonprofits for the Holidays. Join us for a fun, crafty, alternative service project for the Holidays. We’ll also have information and details about additional ways you can volunteer in the Richmond Community.
We will be decorating aprons, Ellwood Thompson’s tote bags and holiday cards. All efforts will go towards Slow Food RVA and Central Virginia Foodbank Mobile Pantry.
Cost
FREE!
Questions?
Call the customer service desk at 804-359-7525.
Shake Off Stress
When
Thursday, December 20th / 6:00-6:45PM
Location
Ellwood’s Community Classroom
Instructor
Ellwood’s Wellness & Relationship Coach Denise Dolan
Description
Busy schedules, everyday challenges and anxiety can put a strain on our health and our relationships. The daily grind can limit our expression of joy and even lead to depression.
Discover how to slow down, chill, and renew yourself in this short meditation. It’s easier than you think! A direct student of Michael Bernard Beckwith, Denise will share three easy meditation practices that are proven to calm and refresh your spirit.
Experience relaxation through a combination of 1) brief guidance, 2) silence, and 3) participant sharing for those who desire. All levels are welcome to participate.
Cost
Donations are welcome and will go towards scholarships to make opportunities available for fee-based programs offered by Denise at Ellwood Thomspon’s Community Room.
Capacity
30
Register for Program
Walk-ins welcome.
More information about the program here.
Questions?
Want to know more about one of Denise’s programs? Visit www.DeniseDolan.com; email Info@DeniseDolan.com or call 800-804-2176.
Shake Off Stress
When
Tuesday, December 18th / 6:00-6:45PM
Location
Ellwood’s Community Classroom
Instructor
Ellwood’s Wellness & Relationship Coach Denise Dolan
Description
Busy schedules, everyday challenges and anxiety can put a strain on our health and our relationships. The daily grind can limit our expression of joy and even lead to depression.
Discover how to slow down, chill, and renew yourself in this short meditation. It’s easier than you think! A direct student of Michael Bernard Beckwith, Denise will share three easy meditation practices that are proven to calm and refresh your spirit.
Experience relaxation through a combination of 1) brief guidance, 2) silence, and 3) participant sharing for those who desire. All levels are welcome to participate.
Cost
Donations are welcome and will go towards scholarships to make opportunities available for fee-based programs offered by Denise at Ellwood Thomspon’s Community Room.
Capacity
30
Register for Program
Walk-ins welcome.
More information about the program here.
Questions?
Want to know more about one of Denise’s programs? Visit www.DeniseDolan.com; email Info@DeniseDolan.com or call 800-804-2176.