Cedar House Update: Collecting Cedar Cones in the Taiga 🌲
Welcome back to the Cedar House! As we enter October, it’s time to share the exciting news from our corner of the Taiga forest. Our cozy space is gradually filling with Siberian cedar cones, collected by hand from our special 127-hectare forest. The fresh, resinous scent that fills the air is nothing short of incredible!
The Siberian Cedar Cone Collection Process
Collecting cedar cones is a time-honored tradition that requires patience. It can take up to three months for the cones to absorb resin and ripen. The Siberian cedar tree doesn’t drop all its cones at once, so we make multiple trips back to our favorite spots during the collection season. We only gather what the tree naturally offers, ensuring sustainability and respect for nature.
Honoring Tradition in Cone Collection
Since 2006, we have cared for our Taiga forest, entrusted to us by the state. We focus on protecting this beautiful ecosystem from pests, hunters, and wildfires. Here, we gather cedar cones, resin, and branches to create oils and other natural products.
Traditionally, local families—often with children and elders—participate in the collection. Some families have designated plots where specific cedars even have names, symbolizing their deep connection to the land.
Unlike industrial methods that harm trees and produce unripe cones, we return to the forest several times during the season to collect only the fully matured cones.
Importance of Gentle Handling
Proper handling of cedar cones is crucial. They should never be boiled or exposed to heat, as these processes can strip them of their beneficial properties. When freshly fallen, cones are covered in resin and exhibit a bluish-purple hue, indicating they need about three months to fully mature. During this time, they must be stored in conditions that mimic their natural environment.
The House for Cones: Preserving Cedar’s Healing Properties
In 2017, we built the House for the Cones, inspired by traditional Siberian storage methods. Sergei Megre dedicated years to learning how to preserve the energy of cedar, ensuring that our oils and products retain their healing properties.
Historically, cedar cones were stored in attics or barns elevated from the ground for proper ventilation. Ideally, these storage spaces were made of cedar wood, allowing the fruits to remain in their natural environment. Our House for Cedar Cones is designed to honor this tradition, using
special coarse linen bags for optimal storage.
After maturing for about three months, the nuts inside the cones absorb the resin, maximizing their flavor and health benefits. Remarkably, a whole cedar cone can maintain its nutritional value for 3-5 years, while shelled nuts begin to degrade after just three months. This is why we always store nuts unshelled until we’re ready to prepare the oil.
While this method is becoming less common, it is essential for creating truly healing oil from our precious cedar nuts.
Stay Connected with the us
Thank you for joining us for the latest harvest update from the Megre Cedar House. Stay tuned for more updates and stories from our beloved Taiga. If you want to learn more about cedar cone collection or our natural products – follow our social media pages and subscribe to our newsletter for updates!
