By Paris Wolfe, Blogmaster, The Herb Society of America
When I was a preteen setting the dinner table, in the 1970s, I always placed sliced bread and pickles on the table. Both, of course, were homemade. The pickles could be cucumbers, beets or mixed vegetables. But, a meal wasn’t complete without pickles.
Times, and dinner, changed as life approached the speed of sound. And, at some point, the bread – too many carbs – and pickles disappeared from the ritual. Too bad. Modern science is proving that vinegar has health benefits (that may even include aiding weight loss).
Time to get back to pickles. Or, better yet, explore “shrubs:” … not the plant, but a historic beverage spiked with fruit-infused vinegar.
Get an introduction to this 17th century concoction in the 2016 issue of The Herbarist. The magazine ships in mid-November to members of The Herb Society of America. Non-members can obtain a copy by joining the Society or ordering for $16.50. To inquire about a copy call 440.256.0514 or email herbs@herbsociety.org.
In the magazine, authors Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox note:
“A shrub is basically a fruited vinegar— a syrup made from fruit, vinegar and sweetener. Shrubs can be just that simple, or they can contain alcohol. This age-old beverage, both tangy and sour, is believed to be of Turkish origin. Its first recorded use was in the 1600s. Travelers and trade ships carried the drink across land and ocean, keeping scurvy away from sailors at sea.”
Beyond the shrub article, the magazine includes 11 articles covering everything from art to gardening. Lush photography and design are a feast for the eyes.
The Herbarist will be easily identifed by the frame-worthy cover. To produce it HSA editor Brent DeWitt created original art with colored pencil and watercolors, then finished composing with Photoshop. “I created this art in the style of Alphonse Mucha, a well-known Czech artist from the turn of the century,” he explains.
Overall Brent says, “I like that is a new design, plant-focused and has a lot to do with gardening and the utility of plants,” says Brent.
Executive Director Katrinka Morgan adds, “The Herbarist is always the top-rated membership benefit. It’s what everybody waits for. This year’s images are outstanding and support the content well. It’s a great package.”
The publication is the result of many authors as well as members of The Herbarist committee. Brent coordinated the magazine’s text and artistic design. The issue’s graphic design was by Impel Creative of Lakewood, Ohio and SP Mount Printing in Cleveland, Ohio was again the printer. Here’s a little peek at the printing process…
It’s time to submit article idea for review for the 2017 issue of The Herbarist. Production of the 2017 edition will begin in mid-2017.
The Herb Society of America Blog 
Thank you for frequently touching base with me.
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