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Herbal Work Study: Bitters
We were so lucky to appreciate the sunshine, warmth and beauty of sceneries in Memphis Botanic Garden. On this lovely Saturday morning, I got a chance to be a volunteer in Memphis Botanic Garden. I took my apron, gloves and other hand tools and got well prepared for this Herbal Work Study. By the way, this learning opportunity was “purchased” via a barter system that we worked for the first two hours to attend the last hour of class.
The first one hour was spent separating the catnip seeds from their leaves and gathering all seeds together in a small plastic container. Absolutely, that was a detail-oriented task and we had to be very patient locating those little tiny seeds from fluffy dry leaves. It was good to know that catnip is a kind of plant that cats will get hyper when they play with it.
Later, we all went to an herb garden and completed the weeding and finally I have filled over half of the plastic trash package with those crazy weeds. And we all learned a lot of herb species and how those names were formed with some rules. More importantly, I realized that we have to show our appreciation of employees’ services by paying the tickets to help the garden operate smoothly.
The last hour was spent learning about bitters and their uses. In particular, we had the most unforgettable lunch than ever which included African spinach, two different flavors of Holy Basil Pesto, crackers, special waffles with plants stuffed inside, and alcoholic blood orange bitters and non-alcoholic holy basil bitters (seemingly mint flavor). Finally, everyone received a handout that included tips and general information about those bitters, and we could also feel free to take some Holy Basil plant back home.
Bitters made my gut move, I love the Herbal tea, organic plant food and this learning opportunity. James E. Faust ever said, “If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet.”