The tree that provided the service is defined as the, or the health watchdog is Elderberry. The first known record of the medicinal use of this plant in the middle appears in the writings of Hippocrates, 2500 years are gone. Etymologically, the term Sambucus, derived from the term sambuca, name of a very ancient musical instrument used by the Romans and made from the wood of this tree. Pliny states that the most musical sound strings were made with wood Elderberry. The simple people consider today, elderberry, as a true “living pharmacy”, because all parts of this tree / shrub are suitable for multiple uses. Everywhere elderberry is extremely dear and considered by either medicinal or even legendary characteristics, as well as the natural beauty of its flower. Although it is a bush a bit scattered everywhere in our region takes.
The elderberry is spontaneous in Portugal throughout the country, with the highest incidence in the North, which abounds along paths, nearby water lines and surround busy with irrigated arable land.
It is in the valley Varosa that the fruit of this plant is appreciated since the region centuries.
The Romans had a very special affection for this shrub because it was part of the garden trees planted near their homes. However, and beyond the aesthetic issue, believed that within this bush lived a good fairy who protected his home and those who dwell therein. Everything leads us to believe that they would have to introduce it in this region because we have around us many forts that were Romanized, and many records of the Roman presence among us. With the fall of the empire and the coming of other peoples agriculture moved into the background.
Was in the reconquest, so in the twelfth century, and with the coming of the Cistercian Monks that agriculture suffers a complete revolution and new techniques are introduced thereby taking advantage of a consistent and well-defined operation. Today we know from various records of purchases, sales, barters and gifts, etc.. Cistercian Monks are great workers this large agriculture and agricultural reformers and landscape of valleys and slopes of the Varosa, Tavora and Douro region. The Cistercian Monks, and in particular the White Monks of St. Mary Salzedas buy land and receive donations in the region now called the Douro. Two large farms that still remain as such in Moçul Cambres – municipality of Lamego, and Thursday of the Friars in Folgosa, municipality Armamar, exemplified this great monastic work.
Help us understand this crucial time for agriculture in the Valley Varosa region, the work taken by the team to research and excavation has undertaken in recent years in monastic aggregation of S. João de Tarouca.
Among the many studies done, one of the most interesting is the pollen and anthropological samples from the archaeological excavation analysis environment. These samples made with an optical microscope “identified between two hundred and eighty to four hundred and eighty grains of pollen per sample.” This huge amount of pollens managed the team gathers them to twenty-six taxonomic groups. This study shows, for our particular case the following conclusion, “are completely absent pollens of olive, vine and elderberry.
If pollen analyzes give this result, also the anthropological analyzes confirm the conclusion. In the same study the authors clearly say “(…) the absence of the Olive, vine and elderberry clearly point to its subsequent introduction”.
The introduction of the cultivation of vines in a systematic manner and determined, with the trial of French varieties of monks bringing caused new perspectives were opened. Happened but the wine produced in the Douro region was not as good as the monks wanted. In this sense, and this time that the berry Varosa assumes the role of superstar, becoming an essential product for fluff, fatten up and age the wine itself.
Having monks in hand as particular product as was the berry Varosa as designated by them, because of their greater production takes place in the Enchanted Valley (Valley Varosa). The plant that produces it (Elderberry) ceases to be wild to make a tree grow by getting this, a product with higher quality, with more “brix” and “baume” as we say today. It is in this way and therefore, a bush serving only for gardens and even superstitious becomes an essential reason for the development of a product that was the wine tree.
Documents on file in the Parish reserved Salzedas these same record they give us very particular about the development of that culture and use that Berry had Varosa for a variety of human activities information. The Berry was Varosa by monks and later also by many other people an essential product for many activities. Since the introduction of the food, to the dry cleaners as well as to a variety of medicinal products, elderberry and derivatives thereof served a little to everything.
The Berry Varosa was over this last millennium, a major, fruits of the region, with a wealth for the farmers of the region. In our times was named the Berry Varosa the “Black Gold” or the “mother lode Valley Varosa”.
To our days Varosa Berry is a source of wealth and a plus also the other time was for the most varied forms of human, animal, or farm.
We have no doubt of the exceptional value that Berry had Varosa for handling local and regional wine. It is interesting to see the records that appear in the middle of the document collection that still exists in Salzedas Monastery, which is now being restored and cataloged properly. One of the interesting information is to know and understand the uses that the monks gave the Berry Varosa. Made liqueurs, sweets and jams, teas, and also used for medicinal purposes.
