Saturday 4 September 2010

John Keats and Rose Hip Jam



Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells

Yes I dare say Keats would have loved rose hip hedgerows but I don't know if he ever tasted rose hip jam! If you know then I would be delighted to hear.

Rose hip is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C in the plant world. Rose hips also contain the active galactolipid compound GOPO, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is effective at reducing pain and improving mobility for those with osteoarthritis. Rose hip syrup has been well regarded for hundreds of years as an aid to good health and a cure for sore throats, colds and flu like ailments.

Rose hips also make a delicious jelly, a luxurious chuckney and a voluptuous tart which was very popular in the 16th century.

This is now the time of year to get out and start collecting those sexy wild ruby buds and I promise you a few lovely recipes to use to ensure your jam, chuckney, syrup or tart is both delicious and healthy.

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