Rivergum Cottage started at the market just before Christmas 2022 and have now been approved as a permanent weekly stallholder, which is great news for both Rivergum Cottage and us! Rivergum Cottage has a beautiful range of handcrafted organic elderberry syrup, DIY syrup kits (to make your own 1 litre supply) and elderberry gummie bears, which are perfect for the kiddies.
Keegan’s family originate from Poland, where they traditionally use elderberries for their excellent health benefits including that it is a powerful cold preventative, great for gut health, it is an anti-oxidant, great for immunity and much, much more. Keegan tells me that one of the most important qualities in elderberry syrup is that it is an antioxidant but asks if you know why this is so important? Without getting too scientific, antioxidants help fight free radicals, which can cause damage to the cells in your body when left unchecked. Antioxidants help fight inflammation, strengthen your immune system, and improve overall health and wellbeing. Keegan says that black elderberries are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which is what gives black elderberries their deep purple color. They loaded with essential vitamins, like A, C and E, and are also high in potassium, iron, zinc and calcium.
Keegan tells me that he got involved in elderberries through his mum, Bek, when she started to hand craft her very own elderberry syrup in Tambourine and so formed Rivergum Cottage. Keegan tells me that his mum and now him were both keen to keep their Polish traditions and roots alive even though they live in Australia. Now, Keegan is fully entrenched in the business and you will see him each and every week at our market.
So, what’s in elderberry syrup? Rivergum Cottage’s elderberry syrup is packed full of organic black elderberries, raw cold pressed honey or organic maple syrup, organic raw ginger, organic cinnamon, organic cloves and filtered rain water. Keegan tells me that you can either take a 40ml shot of elderberry syrup each day or you can even add hot or cold water and drink as a hot or cold drink.
What a great story and at the market we are so happy to have Rivergum Cottage join us and become a staple at our weekly market. If you would like to know more please pop by to have a chat with Keegan or follow them on Instagram @rivergumcottage.