Ellen-Ellen's Infused Hot Teas by ROD w/Midjourney
The rare Bitterbinth Root syrup earned its mythical status. It is a lethal root sap that causes an immediate death of those who consume it, unless the process for tapping and distilling is followed carefully. Oak Truffle extract, a rare 55 million year old start that is passed down between secretive families, transforms the bitter poison into a harmless potion that cures anxiety and depression without the usual side effects associated with medicines normally prescribed.
Crooked Mile Tappers by ROD w/Midjourney
32 BCE farmers commonly used the syrup, but over the years the truffle start became more difficult to produce and the Bitterbinth Tree no longer grew in the wild. Ellie-Ellen’s Bakery sells diluted version of the flavoring as an ice cream topping and hot tea additive when it is available in early spring. In its watered-down form, it is still considered an expensive treat reserved for wedding breakfasts and birthday parties. The syrup is not sweet. It is a smooth bitter that tastes different when added to various drinks or foods. During feasts, it is a favorite option for chefs to experiment with during competitions. Ellie-Ellen’s renowned Chef Androuse argues that a smooth, bitter taste is addictive. Customers return shortly after their introduction to the flavor and ask for his recipes that use it. He refuses to share the recipe, or identify the families who grow the Bitterbinth tree. The tree gown without the knowledge and supervision of the Triumverate is illegal.
For a short time, Dr. Dean Quincey reluctantly prescribed the potion to stubborn patients, who swore it was the only solution, a wicked curse ward that worked for them. He gave into the notion that the fad was a harmless sugar cube. When patients suffered from stomachaches or headaches after drinking juice infused with the sap, Dr. Quincey discontinued using the remedy. There was no way to know whether sap farmers were sending him soured batches. One of the soured batches was sent to a hospital in the Fairelands. The patients fell ill and died within a week of being given Bitterbinth syrup with their pancakes. It was discovered months later that the Bitterbinth Tree's naturally occurring poisons were not affected by a lightning strike. Not even an Oak truffle tonic can stave off the effects of a embittered tree’s blood.
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