Ripe Hawthorn Berries – October/November, after the first frost, is also the time to pick hawthorn berries. Hawthorn is also not used as a hedgerow fruit is only used for hawthorn gin or hawthorn brandy. It can be used to make jam or jelly. Hawthorn gin is much nicer than sloe gin. It’s not sweet and syrupy, in fact it tastes more like a wine like dry sherry, than it does a liqueur. It is necessary to grow. Hawthorn gin made now will be perfect next Christmas. If you don’t think you can wait that long, then double the amount – some should drink young this year, and some to grow for others. As much as it is more!
Separate, top and tail the berries. This is time consuming and not the end of the world if you don’t do it – however it will cause earthquakes that are difficult to strain out later and will make the uncertainty of your gin. Pack the berries in a storage container, sprinkle a little sugar on the layer. When you’ve reached the top of the jar (leave a little room to allow for shaking), fill with cheap gin (a store brand will do). Close and put in a bowl. Every few days or so shake the jar.
Ripe Hawthorn Berries
After 4 weeks, the berries will lose their color and the gin will turn a shade of rosé. (If you leave it longer before straining, the flavor will be stronger. However, you will get small stones appearing. If you have bright fruits you come Voluntarily leave the gin to macerate for several months, but if the berries are hard. and discolored one month is enough.) Once strained, filter out into bottles and mature for another three months at least. Enjoy the competition!
Hunting Ground: Green Rosellas Eating Ripe Hawthorn Berries. April
Hawthorn also has a history as an herb used by herbalists to treat high blood pressure. It is also good for the heart because it has vasorelaxant properties and is high in bioflavonoids – also good for your heart. This is well supported by research. (If your blood pressure is too high and you are taking medicine you should not stop. But, with consultation with a doctor, you can reduce your dependence on medicine.) The best part of taking medicine. hawthorn fruit is as a tincture. An herbal remedy is an herb (in this case hawthorn berries) macerated (soaked) in alcohol to make a tincture. So root hawthorn gin is a form of tincture. And a small nip eating regularly, like in the old country, will help to keep the heart and health. A tea made with leaves or berries is also a healthy way to lower your blood pressure, especially when combined with lemon flowers and leaves.