FatStone Blog

Winter on the Farm
Posted by Liz Farrell onIt's a thrilling time of year! Winter is here, sometimes in fits and starts, and the fields are dormant. The days are getting longer, and the maple trees are pushing sap out to their branches. In southern New England, we may have a dusting of snow. The evergreen shrubs and...

Shots, Juice and Purple Granny -- What's the Difference?
Posted by Liz Farrell onWhile all three products contain elderberries and NO added water, the similarities end there. Here's a very brief comparison -- click on the links to learn more about each one. Want to try all three? Check out the Elderberry Fanatic Set! - Elderberry Apple Shots is 1/2 pure elderberry juice,...
- Tags: Elderberry Apple Shots

Gift Giving Guide 2022
Posted by Liz Farrell onLooking to share the farm-goodness of Fat Stone Farm with others? We love that! Fat Stone Farm gifts are ideal because they are happily consumed; they are beautiful to look at; they are versatile and always delicious. Here are some ideas for all the folks on your list. $ =...

Elderberry Harvesting
Posted by Liz Farrell onIt's late summer and the elderberry bushes are ready to harvest. Here's Dave (above) being careful not to harvest a too-young cluster. A lot of "too-young" berries will produce a redder juice (rather than purple-blue) and an even tangier flavor. Waiting for the darkest berries possible means a better juice....

The Story of Elderberry Apple Shots
Posted by Liz Farrell onWe started our small farm in the early 2000s, and by 2010 we had cleared enough land to start a new berry patch. We bought and planted blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, beach plums, and elderberries! How awesome was that berry patch going to be??? Within a year or so, most of...
- Tags: Elderberry Apple Shots

Where's The Elderberry?
Posted by Liz Farrell onIf you became our customer because of our incredible "Elderberry Apple Shots", we thank you. We have all the original packages you rely on: - Elderberry Apple Shots, 2 packs, 4 packs, cases of 12, and 1/2 gallon (67 fl oz) options. You can choose non GMO apples or organic...

Find Us at 2023 Markets and Events
Posted by Liz Farrell onShop With Us if you are Local! There are still plenty of markets to visit this autumn: - Lyme Farmer's Market at Tiffany Farm, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EVERY Saturday through October 14. A classic farmer's market on a beautiful historic farm. On the corner of Route 156 and Sterling...

What's the Difference between Juice and Shots?
Posted by Liz Farrell onLet me dive right into that answer! Elderberry Juice is pressed elderberries. We also add <1% of citric acid for shelf stability. Elderberry Apple Shots are pressed elderberries and apple syrup. The apples add sweetness and balance to the naturally tart and slightly bitter elderberries. Which one should I choose?...

The Rainbow of Flavors in Pure Maple Syrup
Posted by Liz Farrell onIn 2004, the Canadian Government's Agriculture and Agri-Food Department, and the Centre Acer co-created a wonderful tasting wheel to really delve down into the incredible nuances of maple syrup. (please note, the wheel is copyrighted material) The larger maple syrup packing houses are working very hard to create a uniform...

Seven Years - Seven Products - Seven Jokes
Posted by Liz Farrell onIn June 2021, we are 7 years old! The first thing we made here was organic maple syrup, and sold it at the local Farmer's Market. We didn't even have our own booth. This photo shows a fellow farmer Michael, selling our syrup, along with Liz and Jonathan and Colin: Joke...

Elderberry For Your Skin! Use Soap From the Dirt, Not the Lab
Posted by Liz Farrell onI started looking at the back of soaps, shampoos, and cosmetics labels many years ago. I can't remember exactly why I started, but it ended here, at Fat Stone Farm. I would be in the store looking at soap. Usually, there would be a picture of a nice plant on...

Why I Can't Sell You Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Liz Farrell onPhoto credit: Douglas Hampton-Dowson © Fat Stone Farm LLC THE QUESTION: We always try to keep our prices down for folks. One of the ways we *thought* about it was to make a REAL, TRUE Elderberry SYRUP. Why not? Lots of you know Elderberry Syrup! Everything I read about our competitors...

End of Season Look Back 2021
Posted by Liz Farrell onOddly, as I write this at the turn of the year (2021 into 2022), things seem strangely calm. After 2 years of "pivoting", reacting, trying to plan, and wondering what was around the corner, there isn't much happening. Which is FANTASTIC! I'm just enjoying it while it lasts! This...

Going Organic
Posted by Liz Farrell onEver since our first batch of Elderberry Apple Syrup in early 2016, we've been working towards consistently delivering a top-notch elderberry product. Something a factory could not duplicate. Something simple, versatile, and unique. Maybe something a very determined home-cook-farmer could match, but how many of us grow elderberries, apples, and...
The Maple-est Decorations for Tree or Wreath
Posted by Liz Farrell onSmall, classy but not stuffy, colorful, interesting -- that's how we decorate our evergreens on the farm -- and here is an easy idea to add some Fat Stone Farm bling to your trees and wreaths this holiday. I think these cute bottles match almost any style, but they are...