Cone

Tucked away in the Veluwe village of Stroe is an old Zaadeest.
At this historic site, the Forestry Commission collected pine cones for many years. These pine cones (cones) went into the cone sheds to be dried. The cones sprung open and forests were planted with the released seed. This process is called esterification, and was necessary because forests were needed.

We are talking about the early 1900s.
In various parts of the Netherlands, especially in the Veluwe and in the dune region, drifting sand became a danger to the environment and coastal defenses. Forests had to be planted quickly. Seeds were needed. For decades, the Zaadeest ran at full speed. The dried seeds were of high quality, and went all over the world. In the 1970s, the State Seed Nest closed its doors. For years, no one came.

Until now.
The doors have reopened, the light is falling back in. The craft is revived. Pine cones are drying again, seeds are being collected, forests are being planted again. Because, although for other reasons, new forests are desperately needed today. What about that remaining cone? It finds its destination in the bottle of this pure gin. Cone. A local drink based on the elements of the Veluwe nature. Wood-fired, on-site in the Rijkszaadeest. Every bottle of gin sold provides one square meter of forest land. The circle is complete again.