Balsam Sugar Has Arrived!

It’s time! Our most popular seasonal release has hit our site and the physical shelves at our Cambridge location. That’s right – Balsam Sugar is here for the holidays. 

Our blend of Maine balsam fir tips infused into cane sugar is pure winter magic. What is even more magical is the story behind the Curio classic. Our founder, Claire, shares how balsam sugar came to be: 

"Most of us don’t think of the East Coast of the US as a hub for spices, but I’m always looking for expressions of place, and especially flavors that are native to home. I grew up in Massachusetts in Maine, spending a lot of time exploring the woods and fields, where the smell of fir trees, wild blueberries and white pines filled my nose.

Balsam fir trees have a particular aroma, sweet, crisp, and resinous. Many of us associate this smell with Christmas trees, as balsam fir trees are often chosen for their classic shape and delightful aroma. I love foraging for wild foods - I wrote my honors thesis in college about how understanding and appreciating wild foods can inspire a conservation ethic.

I still believe that - if we respect what is available to us in the wilderness, in the form of beauty as well as edible wonders, we inherently want to protect it and share it with our children. Balsam fir tips are harvested in the spring, they are the buds of the trees (since conifers don’t have flowers), and the young tips are full of the classic Christmas tree aroma, while also having a bright, lemony taste that can’t be found in other spices. Truly one of a kind! Combined with sugar, it’s an ethereal, enchanting way to dive into the New England woods, smell the cold air, and capture the joy of the season."

Grab this seasonal treat while you can and enjoy in bakes, cocktails or whatever curious creations come out of your kitchen this holiday season!