THE September it not only brings us colorful leaves, but also a small treasure of nature: the hawthorn. The bright red berries are rich in valuable ingredients and can be used in multiple ways in the kitchen. Whether aromatic vinegar, hot tea or fruity jam: we will show you three recipes with which you can enjoy the full power of hawthorn.
Botanical characteristics of hawthorn
Weissdorn it is a genus that includes more than 200 species of shrubs and trees, originating mainly from temperate climates. The plants are characterized by jagged leaves, delicate flowers and characteristic red berries. Hawthorn flowers, which appear in spring, play an important role in pollination by insects. Various species of hawthorn (Crataegus) are native to Germany, including:
- Single hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): This is the most common hawthorn species in Germany. It is often simply called «hawthorn» and is widespread in woods, hedges and rural areas. The species is characterized by single ovaries and white flowers. We used this species in our preparations.
- Two-handled hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata): The two-handled hawthorn is also found in Germany and is similar to the one-handled hawthorn. It is distinguished by its bipartite ovaries and is often found in hedges and mixed woodlands.
- Scheinweißdorn (Crataegus x macrocarpa): It is a hybrid species of hawthorn, resulting from the crossing of the single-handled hawthorn and the double-handled hawthorn. It is characterized by larger fruits and is occasionally grown in Germany.
- Yew-leaved hawthorn (Crataegus chrysocarpa): This species is rare and found mainly in southern Germany. It is characterized by its yellow fruits.
Autumn inspiration in our wild herbs magazine
In our current fall issue of Kräuterkeller magazine (available here) you will find numerous reports on wild herbs and seasonal medicinal plants. There are also delicious recipes and home remedies waiting for you. Feel free to take a look at the «Magazines» category in our online store Come visit us and purchase your printed copy now
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Here’s how you can grow it year-round with one recipeHawthorn and its meaning for health
Hawthorn has a long history in traditional medicine, particularly in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that hawthorn extracts may actually have positive effects on heart health. They have a positive effect on blood pressure, blood circulation and cardiac arrhythmias. This is attributed to bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and procyanidins. You can learn more about the topic in the article “Hawthorn – The medicinal plant for the heart? Recipes and tips» read. Hawthorn is also used in the form of dietary supplements and tinctures.
Hawthorn recipes
Aside from its health benefits, hawthorn has many uses in the culinary world. The berries are suitable for making hawthorn vinegar, hawthorn tea and hawthorn jam. These preparations not only taste good, but also offer health benefits.
Make your own hawthorn berry tea
You will need 10-12 fresh or dried hawthorn berries per cup. Soak fresh or dried hawthorn berries in warm water overnight. It works best in a pot. They can be added whole or halved. They absorb the water overnight and the tea becomes really aromatic the next morning. The cold batch is then heated briefly the next morning and left to rest Tee Leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This tea is ideal for supporting heart health and can be drunk several times a day.
Free videos on YouTube
You already know our YouTube channel Kräuterkeller (Sign up here for free)? There you will find many exciting educational videos on the world of wild herbs and medicinal plants. Feel free to take a look, like here in the video, to discover useful tips for a perfect homemade rosehip tea.
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This salt tastes better than store bought herbal salt now in SeptemberHawthorn berry jam
- 2 cups fresh hawthorn berries
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Preparation: Wash the hawthorn berries carefully and remove the stem. Cook the berries with the sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally and let the mixture thicken until it reaches the desired consistency (usually about 20-30 minutes). Pour the jam into sterilized jars and close them hermetically. Let them cool before placing them in the refrigerator. The jam is delicious on bread or as a garnish for desserts.
The world of wild herbs and medicinal plants
In nature you can discover and collect large wild herbs and medicinal plants almost all year round. This can also be an important contribution to Self-sufficiency To be. It is important for us that ancient knowledge about these plants is not lost. A certain level of knowledge is required to be able to confidently identify plants. Our book on wild herbs”With wild herbs and medicinal plants all year round“(available here) is ideal for all beginners and wild herb enthusiasts. Only local wild herbs are presented. We have documented them ourselves and will explain how to recognize them and use them even in the kitchen and in the medicine cabinet. Our books and seasonal calendar are available in our Herbal Witches online store available
Hawthorn berry vinegar recipe
To begin this process, you will require one cup of fresh hawthorn berries and two cups of high-quality apple cider vinegar. Start by thoroughly washing the hawthorn berries to remove any dirt or impurities, then carefully remove the stems to prepare them for use. Once cleaned and prepped, place the berries into a clean glass jar, ensuring there is enough room left for the liquid to circulate effectively. Next, pour in the apple cider vinegar, fully submerging the berries to maximize the infusion process. Seal the jar tightly to prevent contamination and store it in a dark,
cool area, such as a pantry or cupboard, where it can remain undisturbed for an infusional period of approximately two to four weeks. During this time, gently shake the jar occasionally to encourage even saturation and blending of flavors. Once the designated maturation time has elapsed, strain the mixture through a fine mesh or cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the berry remnants. Transfer the filtered hawthorn berry-infused vinegar into an airtight bottle for storage. This versatile vinegar can add a tangy, healthful twist when used as a dressing for salads or as a flavorful element in marinades.
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