Hawthorn flower

[owlwithoutfeathers]

Thanks for your reply Gordon.

I may have to have an experiment . . .

[gordonmull]

A quick google throws up many recipe sources but I've no idea how good they are. It certainly seems to be done by many though. All my fermenters are now booked out for bramble and elderberry season so I'll be sitting the haw berries out until next year.

[owlwithoutfeathers]

Hi Guys,

I've come accross a few Hawthorn Trees that are bursting with young unripen fruit (still green for this time of year). Having seen the recipe above for Haw Flowers, is there anyhting we can do with Haw Berries?

Should i treat them like Elderberries? Where's my CJJJJJJ book when i need it!

Thanks!

Owl.

[Delmonteman]

Now you mention it, some of them were curled up in balls suggesting they hadn't yet become fully fledged flowers...

I'll bin these and go back in a week or two...

[lockwood1956]

Are they ready yet I wonder?

if properly ready (ripe?) they shoulkd fall off the tree with a shake of the branch, maybe they need to develop a bit more?

regards
bob

[Delmonteman]

Just to pop back on topic for a while but I went down our old railway cutting yesterday to pick some of these and I have to say I'm not massively enamoured with their scent!

All the flowers were picked at above waist height (or above) but smell a bit like cat pee...? Are they an acquired taste these hawthorn flowers?

[Rich]

Phew, that's ok then. No need to break out the Sunmaids just yet then!

[lockwood1956]

haha

there is enough for this years grapefest late night bottle passaround

[Rich]

Raisin Wine

Rough is right.....

i have some that is 6 years old now, and it just wont age into anything nice at all

Much left for this years Grapefest?, it's getting better (maybe). It's about time you made some more for future years..

[lockwood1956]

If you amble by here Luc, thank you, because I'm now not put off doing some elderflower.

Luc calls in from time to time...

Hmmm. Thinking actually - does that mean I could make a very rough red wine from raisins alone? I'm thinking not because if it could be done or was any good then, well, it would be done. But still, curiosity piques me!

Rough is right.....

i have some that is 6 years old now, and it just wont age into anything nice at all

[norman]

... oil.

Thanks, makes sense. I tend to blanche first to partially rehydrate which would get rid of most of it, but noted that some supermarket packs seem to add far tooooo much oil to dried fruit.

[crusher]

Gordonmull.
Currants = Dried small seedless Black Grapes
Sultanas = Dried White Grapes
Raisins = Dried Black Grapes

Norman.
The oil is to stop sticking help the fruit "flow"
I always put fruit in a sieve and rinse with boiling water to remove as much oil as poss or it can make the wine cloudy and a sod to clear.

[norman]

... well oiled.

... any thoughts on the addition of oils to sultanas/raisins or other dried fruit (Typically Sunflower Oil)? Sorry, I'm back to Tesco's again ;-) Most shop bought "dried fruit" seem to have some kind of additional oil in the pack, I presume to extend it's life, make it look better, assist in home baking???? Might be side track here, but does the additional oil cause anyone issues/concerns?

[gordonmull]

Ok I'm learning more today. Never knew that about sultanas and raisins. I just knew sultanas are sweeter.

If you amble by here Luc, thank you, because I'm now not put off doing some elderflower.

Hmmm. Thinking actually - does that mean I could make a very rough red wine from raisins alone? I'm thinking not because if it could be done or was any good then, well, it would be done. But still, curiosity piques me!

Edit: Wait a minute - what are currants!?

[lockwood1956]

Now that sounds like an infinately better way of depetalling!

it actually works very well too.........result!

Luc is a great inovator...and friend to the forum (and me)