Guelder Rose
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Guelder Rose
I have come across a cluster of bushes. The fruit is huge (well 3/8" anyhow) berry with a single seed, grows in bunches like elderberries and so easy to pick in clumps. Seed is spread by birds and there are recipes for Jams and Jellies made of it. Here is the wiki of it :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_opulus
Now so far so good - but it is supposed to be slightly toxic (as are so many other things)
I'm thinking I can probaby gather enough to do a 25 litre wash if I use the 3lb fruit in 1 gallon rule of thumb.
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of this little beasty ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viburnum_opulus
Now so far so good - but it is supposed to be slightly toxic (as are so many other things)
I'm thinking I can probaby gather enough to do a 25 litre wash if I use the 3lb fruit in 1 gallon rule of thumb.
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of this little beasty ?
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Re: Guelder Rose
Opinions seem to vary, but they seem safe enough !
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46344
I'm wondering how they would taste macerated in a Bacardi(ish)
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46344
I'm wondering how they would taste macerated in a Bacardi(ish)
Re: Guelder Rose
Don't know about Viburnum opulus, but Viburnum trilobum (a related species commonly called highbush cranberry, although it is not actually a cranberry) is used to make liqueurs.
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Re: Guelder Rose
Do you have any info as to how it is used please ?sweeps wrote:Don't know about Viburnum opulus, but Viburnum trilobum (a related species commonly called highbush cranberry, although it is not actually a cranberry) is used to make liqueurs.
[Edit - AHa I found it !
"..............Place berries with roughly an equal weight of white sugar in a non-metal receptacle with a tight fitting lid. Pour vodka over the fruit to cover. Stir it once a day until the sugar dissolves, and allow to age for one month. Strain and bottle....."
https://alongthegrapevine.wordpress.com/tag/liqueur/
That looks and sounds so similar - I'll try a bottle then - thanks for posting ]
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Re: Guelder Rose
Oh and here we have a wine recipe - almost exactly as my thoughts above
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/highbush.asp
[Edit - credit where it's due - tht site is Jack Keller . net ]
http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/highbush.asp
[Edit - credit where it's due - tht site is Jack Keller . net ]
Re: Guelder Rose
I've never made a liqueur or wine with highbush cranberries, but I've tried them raw. They were REALLY sour.
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Re: Guelder Rose
Your highbush and my Guelder rose seem so similar that I suspect they are probably the same - if tehy were tested - with the three part leaf and the purpling of the leaves in the fall etc etc. They do say the berries are sweeter after the first frost and that can be mimicked by sticking them in the freezer for a couple of days.sweeps wrote:I've never made a liqueur or wine with highbush cranberries, but I've tried them raw. They were REALLY sour.
We have "sloes" over here which are so sour they pretty much seize your mouth up when you try to chew them - but they make a liqueur which is delicious. I do several gallons each year, even though it takes a kg of berries to do a gallon and there are a thousand plus berries in a kg - As a wine though they were way to sour. But a quick pass through the tea urn might cure that - or not I don't know how well "Sour" distils over
We shall see - but I'm deffo going to do that liqueur. The berries are supposed to hang about long enough for you to make it and try it then go and get a load more berries if it works !
Re: Guelder Rose
I grew up in England and I have quite a few childhood memories of helping to pick sloes, quinces, wild plums and other hedgerow fruit. I was a bit too young for sloe gin, though!
Re: Guelder Rose
As I live in Gelderland, the Guelder Rose should be found here. I will look around.
But there is some project about elderberry too.
But there is some project about elderberry too.
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Re: Guelder Rose
Yes I believe so. They are less than everywhere - and I tend to find them on the edges of woodland fairly close to water, where there is a path around the woodland.Kareltje wrote:As I live in Gelderland, the Guelder Rose should be found here. I will look around.
But there is some project about elderberry too.
I'm having trouble with elderberry - most by far have dried up on the bushes - black yes - useable no. I have found a few bushes which seem ok, but it's going to be hard work !
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Re: Guelder Rose
I have tried that 'stir once a day until the sugar is dissolved' and it is a minor PITA.
Can't tell you whether it was as good but I think it was (it was a while ago)....added simple syrup instead.
Seemed logical.
Geoff
Can't tell you whether it was as good but I think it was (it was a while ago)....added simple syrup instead.
Seemed logical.
Geoff
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Re: Guelder Rose
Thanks fotr the thought
Here is how it has gone so far ;
I think I've overdone the sugar and spirit a bit - so I'll try it in a week or so and if I pass any more berries in teh meanwhile I'll pick some.
I usually do the "fruit and sugar" method as the abv drops due to the ingredients and adding sugar as syrup will just dilute it more. A quick shake of the flagon once a day is no great hardship and even if you miss afew days, the sugar still dissolves.
SO there we are started with the liqueur then - easy as that !
[Edit - I wonder if it will be pink ?]
Here is how it has gone so far ;
I think I've overdone the sugar and spirit a bit - so I'll try it in a week or so and if I pass any more berries in teh meanwhile I'll pick some.
I usually do the "fruit and sugar" method as the abv drops due to the ingredients and adding sugar as syrup will just dilute it more. A quick shake of the flagon once a day is no great hardship and even if you miss afew days, the sugar still dissolves.
SO there we are started with the liqueur then - easy as that !
[Edit - I wonder if it will be pink ?]