[shazlette]

Hi all,

I have been out collecting sloes and decided to pick Rose hips. My husband told me that when he was a child he loved rose hip syrup. The internet says that all rosehips are edible but have varying degrees of flavour/sweetness.  Has anybody any experience of preserving etc with them? Any help or advice would be useful. I will of course do my internet research too, but with new things I prefer some 1st hand knowledge!

Thanks

[mumofstig]

I made rosehip syrup a few years ago - it's very important to double strain the hips and not to squeeze the jelly bag so no small bits get through 
I didn't think it tasted of much apart from the sugar - so never bothered again 

I used the River Cottage recipe
https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/rosehip-syrup

[DanielCoffey]

Marguerite Patten has the following recipe for syrup (to be diluted on use)...

1lb hips (chopped or grated),  2 or 3 pints water (depending on desired strength). Simmer for 5 mins and stand for 15 mins to preserve vitamins. Strain and measure.

If using the lower amount of water, add 10oz sugar per pint. If using the larger amount, add 8oz sugar per pint.

Warm the syrup until sugar is just dissolved and place in hot bottles.

[shazlette]

Thank you. 

[chrissie B]

I was just thinking of this , this morning while walking the dog there were loads of them can you use any i saw written they have to be soft .
chrissie b

[DanielCoffey]

I have never picked them myself but there are blogs and pictures about them...

At the time of harvest, hips should be firm with a little give in texture and bright red or orange in color. If any of the hips on the plant are shriveled or are not the right color, do not collect them; they will not go to waste, as they will provide a great treat for the birds, rabbits, squirrels, and deer in the area. The color of rose hips varies, but in general, orange hips are not quite ripe, and deep red hips are overripe. Overripe hips are sweet, but have lost much of their vitamin C

[ptarmigan]

I made it, and didn't double strain - you really do have to.

It only really tasted of slightly perfumed sugar. I haven't bothered again...