FREE IN THE HEDGEROWS
Nobody seems to go blackberry picking these days!
The hedgerows still offer a whole range of goodies. But be careful wash the berries etc and be sure you've identied the plant/tree correctly.
BILBERRIES
Small dark blue fruits found on bushes that grow to around 18 ins on heathland and moors.
Contain high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Bilberry tea is a traditional therapy for sore throats. Bilberry jam was assumed to be good for night vision, during World War II fighter pilots were reported to have improved night time vision after eating bilberry jam.
BLACKBERRIES
Have one of the highest levels of antioxidant levels of any fruit. also rich in Vitamin C
Blackberry syrup is a traditional therapy for sore fruits. Blackberries are excellent in jams, tarts and crumbles. Check out the following website for receipes using the flowers and berries of the blackberry. www.herbsociety.org.uk/kh-hedgerow-to-kitchen-blackberry.htm
ELDERBERRIES
Abundant in the hedgerows in late summer and early autumn.
Rich in antioxidants.
Elderberry cordial is a therapy for a cold. Use the berries to make wine and tarts. The flowers make an excellent cordial. The flowers can also be used to make a throat lozenge. See the the following BBC website
www.bbc.co.uk/tv/features/growyourowndrugs/episode2.shtml
Further information on the elder can be found on the following website:
www.herbsociety.org.uk/hom-elder.htm
HAWTHORN
Red berries in the hedgerows in late summer and autumn.
Rich in antioxidants.
Hawthorn syrup is known as a tonic. The leaves have a nutty taste and can be eaten raw in salads. Check out the following website for receipes using the flowers and berries of the hawthorn. www.herbsociety.org.uk/kh-hedgerow-to-kitchen-hawthorn.htm
HAZELNUTS
Available in clusters in early autumn from the hazel tree that's if you can beat the squirrels to them! Also called cobnuts
Good source of fibre and rich in antioxidants.
Eat raw or roasted.
HOPS
As a left over to when many fields were planted with hops, hedgerows often contain hop plants.
use to make your own beer or pop some in the your pillow to help sleep.
ROSEHIPS
The fruit of the dog rose and found in the hedgerows from August to November.
Not only of richest sources of Vitamin C but also vitamins A, D and E
Avoid using the seeds which can irritate the mouth and stomach. Use to make Rosehip tea, syrup and jam.
Check out the following website for receipes using the flowers and berries of the dog rose. www.herbsociety.org.uk/kh-hedgerow-to-kitchen-dog-rose.htm
ROWAN
Also known as Mountain Ash the Rowan produces clusters of brilliant red fruit from October. The berries are are sauce of vitamins A and C
The berries can be used to make a jelly to put on your toast at breakfast or as an accomplement to lamb dishes. www.britishfood.about.com/od/recipeindex/r/rowanjelly.htm
SLOES
The sloe is the fruit of the blackthorn bush and is the ancestor of the cultivated plum. Abundant in a good season from September to November.
Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants.
Use to make Sloe syrup, used as a tonic to fight flu, and Sloe gin
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