Fir

Abies alba

drink

Young spring buds of the silver fir, a tall conifer of Europe's mountains, with a resinous, lemony taste; as syrup, tea, or liqueur.

Origin

Mountains of Europe

Season (United States)

April to June

Preparation

The fresh buds are nibbled raw, with their resinous taste, or steeped in hot water; more often, they are macerated with sugar into a syrup, drunk diluted with water.

Did you know?

The silver fir was the first Christmas tree, before being replaced by the fuller Nordmann fir and the cheaper Norway spruce.