Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a thorny shrub that grows in hedgerows and woodlands across Europe. Its small red berries ripen in autumn and have long been used in cooking and traditional crafts.
Hawthorn berries are great for making jams, jellies, and syrups, offering a mildly sweet and tart flavor. They are also used in homemade liqueurs and wines. The flowers can be added to herbal teas for a floral note.
A popular recipe is hawthorn jelly:
Simmer 500 g of berries in 300 ml of water until soft.
Strain and press to extract the juice.
Add 250 g of sugar and lemon juice, then simmer until it thickens.
Interestingly, hawthorn wood, being very hard, was once used for making tool handles and walking sticks.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a thorny shrub that grows in hedgerows and woodlands across Europe. Its small red berries ripen in autumn and have long been used in cooking and traditional crafts.
