Gorse Blossom & Blackthorn Blossom Liqueurs

Today started out with the sun shining, so I grabbed the dog and headed up to the local country park for a little Spring foraging. I wasn't disappointed. As we turned a corner, a breeze brought with it the coconut-scent of Gorse. The smell set my mind off on an adventure...

Gorse in bloom

On a previous forage, I picked Blackthorn blossom and mixed it with coconut rum, in an experimental attempt to make a Digestif for a curry. I was worried that the low alcohol content of the rum (20%) would restrict the blackthorn from imparting its flavour. Now I was thinking *what if I used Gorse flowers with a neutral-alcohol base and make a coconut-flavour spirit? That would mean I could use a higher abv and perhaps use this as my coconut base for future experimentation with Blackthorn.*

Experience has taught me that when my mind does this kind of thinking, it's best just to follow and to ask questions later, so I followed.

I picked a few handfuls of Gorse blossom, Gorse is notoriously protective of its blossom and has a tendency to grow spines just underneath the flowers you want to pick. I think that it is in collusion with Sea Buckthorn in this regard. I find that the easiest way to pick Gorse flowers, if you aren't wearing thick gloves, is to pinch out the blossoms at the very tip of the branch - there tend to be less spines here. Please note that I say less, this is still a dangerous mission.

Gorse Blossom Liqueur Recipe:

Ingredients/equipment:

• A few handfuls of Gorse blossom
• Enough vodka to cover the blossoms
• Mason or other airtight jar

Method:

• Put blossom in jar
• Cover with vodka
• Seal jar.
• Shake the jar every day for 3-4 weeks

Gorse blossom getting cosy with some vodka

It's now been around 4 weeks since I started my Blackthorn blossom liqueur experiment, so today I bottled the liqueur-to-be. With all liqueurs, I strain the pulp through a sieve and then use filter paper in a funnel to strain the liquid. I run the filter paper under the tap, first, as this prevents the liqueur from being absorbed by the paper - this makes the process more efficient and faster.

Blackthorn Blossom Liqueur: the filtration process

Of course, I had a little sample of this while I was bottling it, and I have to say that it is tasting surprisingly good! I hate coconut rum, it reminds me of my misspent youth, but I have to say that I found this concoction quite palatable. The Blackthorn has provided a sweetness in both aroma and taste. I usually sweeten my liqueurs after a month or two in the bottle, but I don't think that this will need any further sweetening. I look forward to having a future sampling session. With curry.

Until we meet again, happy foraging (or whatever else you do). xx

Sloe Start to the Year

So here I am again, resurrecting my blog. I have realised that being unable (or unmotivated) to cook has been a barrier to me writing this blog, so I've decided to post everything that I forage, regardless of whether I cook with it. Here goes...

Spring is a wonderful time, we get to see life reappearing after winter, and my foraging heart absolutely loves surveying my surroundings for potential foraging spots.

It may seem odd to be out looking for Sloes (Blackthorn) in spring, as the fruit will not appear until Autumn, but April is the best time for locating Blackthorn bushes - even from a distance. At this time of year, Blackthorn blossom is showing, and it is unmistakable (well, I guess more so for the trained eye). Look out of the window if you are travelling and you will likely spot the white blossom in stark contrast to the seemingly black branches of the Blackthorn. Spotting a large patch at this time of year and returning to that spot in the Autumn is surely the easiest way to secure your supplies for Sloe Gin over the winter.

Blackthorn blossom (as with most prunus/plum species) has an almondy aroma and I have decided to trial some recipes to try to make the most of their flavour.

Trial 1: Almond Tisane Flavour

Dried Blackthorn blossom for use in Herbal Tisane (herbal tea requires the presence of tea, so flavoured waters are referred to as tisanes)

I use a dehydrator for drying fruits, nuts and flowers, but you can also use your oven at its lowest setting. This recipe has no strict quantities, I am just drying a couple of handfuls of blossoms for later use.

Trial 2: Blackthorn Blossom Liqueur

I always have a selection of homemade liqueurs around the house. They make wonderful presents, and are also a great added ingredient for puddings. I have tried making Blackthorn Blossom liqueurs in the past, but have never been inspired by the outcomes. I decided to try something a little different this time.

The inspiration for this recipe came from considering complimentary flavours for Almond. I decided to try to make a post-curry Digestif, using coconut rum as a base. When making liqueurs, it is recommended that you a base spirit with an ABV of 40% or higher and, although I have had success with fruit liqueurs from vodka with an ABV of 37.5%, I cannot guarantee that using a low ABV spirit (coconut rum is only 20%) will yield successful results. This is what my mum would call a "makey-uppy" and what I am calling "experimental".

Ingredients:

1 small food bag full of Blackthorn Blossom
70cl bottle of Malibu (coconut rum)

Method:

1. Remove leaves, stalk and branches from blossom
2. Place blossom in a 1-litre kilner jar
3. Pour rum over blossom
4. Stir
5. Screw lid onto jar

I will leave this to infuse for a few weeks, shaking the jar every day. I will post the results in due course.

This/next month will see the appearance of the St George's Mushroom and I hope to be able to find a few and post about them here, soon. Until then, happy Sloe-spotting! x