FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

At Alberta Wildcraft, we get a lot of great questions about our wildcrafted products — how to use them, how we make them, and what makes them special.
We’re a small, family-run business rooted in tradition and respect for the land, and we believe good things should be shared with transparency and care.

Here are the most common questions we get — answered simply and honestly, just like everything we do.

🌲 Pine & Spruce Resin Gum

What is your gum made from?
Our gum is made with pure wild-harvested pine and spruce resins — nothing else. No sweeteners, or added flavoring. Just the clean, resinous taste of the boreal forest. From time to time we formulate our gum with natural local beeswax, listing will be updated accordingly to show this.

How is it different from other natural gums?
Pure pitch gum alone can be very dry and brittle — it often shatters or feels sandy until it softens with chewing. This is Normal and to be expected.
Our carefully cured resin softens naturally, becoming a smooth, long-lasting chew with deep forest flavor. Keep in mind, that this can be an art to learn.

It’s not forming into gum for me — what can I do?
That’s normal for first-time chewers!
Try these tips:

  • Warm it up first - suck on it for a while allowing your saliva to soften it. 

  • Start with 1 piece and chew slowly;  Carefully swallow saliva and keep working on the pieces. keep it on one side of your cheek and vigorously chew the pieces.  It is normal for it to shatter and then slowly it will come back together. This could take 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on experience.

  • Add a second piece if needed  to help it come together.
    After a few minutes, it turns into a flexible, satisfying natural gum.

  • If your first try has resulted in a very small first piece, simply add another
  • Some people may give up after the first try, If its still not forming simply reach out at info@albertawildcraft.ca and we will help you!

Is your gum sweetened or flavored?
Never. It’s 100 % natural — no sugar, no essential oils, no synthetic additives.

How many pieces come in a tin?
Each 35 g contain anywhere from 20 to 30 pieces each unique in shape and size. Each tin is filled by weight of 35 grams 

How long does one piece last?
Natural resin gum can be chewed for hours — or even reused later. When it becomes too firm or won come back together, simply start a fresh piece.

Is pine resin gum safe for kids?
Yes, but only for children old enough to chew safely under supervision.

How should I store my gum?
Keep your tin sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat or sunlight.
If it melts (like in a hot car), it’s still fine — let it harden again, tap gently to break into smaller pieces, and enjoy.

Is there natural debris in my spruce gum / resin products?

Just like real diamonds have tiny natural inclusions, wildcrafted spruce resin can hold a few little forest “signatures” inside.

Our spruce and pine resins are harvested by hand in the Alberta wilderness. Even after filtering every batch through metal strainers and multiple layers of cheesecloth, nature may leave behind tiny specks such as:

  • microscopic bits of bark

  • natural plant fibers

  • tiny mineral flakes

  • crystalized resin particles

These aren’t flaws — they’re proof of authenticity, the same way natural inclusions prove a diamond is real.

To remove every single speck from natural resin, the resin would have to be heated to extremely high temperatures so it becomes thin enough to pass through ultra-fine filters. But heating it that hot would scorch the resin, damage its natural properties, and completely change the texture, aroma, and quality.

We choose purity over perfection — real resin, minimally processed, straight from the forest.
Every tin is unique, wild, and true to the tree it came from. 🌲✨

🍃 Herbal Teas & Loose-Leaf Botanicals

Are your herbal teas wild-harvested?
Yes! We hand-harvest plants such as birch bark, rose hips, pine, spruce, cedar, and many others from clean, healthy forests in Alberta.

How do I brew your teas?
Use 1–2 tsp of herbs per cup of hot water.
Steep for 15 minutes, then strain and enjoy.
Longer steeping brings out deeper flavor and herbal benefits.

Do you add flavors or artificial ingredients?
Never. Our teas are 100 % plant — no fillers, no added oils, no flavorings.

What’s the shelf life?
For best flavor and potency, enjoy within 12 months of purchase.

🌲 Coniferous Teas (Pine • Spruce • Cedar Blends)

How do I brew coniferous teas properly?
These teas need a gentle simmer to release their full goodness:

  1. Bring water to a boil (about 1 tsp per cup).

  2. Add your tea blend, then lower to the gentlest simmer.

  3. Cover and let it steep for about 1 hour.

  4. Strain and serve hot — or chill for a refreshing, forest-flavored iced tea.

🌿 Thank you for supporting small-batch, wildcrafted tradition — from our family to yours.