Well, of course we love honeysuckle! It looks incredible, grows well in the Scottish Borders and, especially on sunny spring evenings, honeysuckle flowers smells amazing.
AND.. the flowers can be used to infuse a sweet, honey (obviously!) flavour into many dishes.
Honeysuckle is really easy to identify and to find; in woodland and along hedgerows, winding itself around shrubs and trees for support. It is also popular in gardens. You only need a few flowers to get the lovely honey taste into teas, food and drinks.
- Infuse in hot water to make a refreshing tea,
- Use the infusion in sorbets, cordials, jams and jellies.
- Make simple syrup with honeysuckle flowers. The syrup can then be used to make a vinaigrette, added to gin, fizzy water or even champagne! The syrup is also great for dry throats.
To make a syrup:
- Add water (2 cups) and honeysuckle flowers (1 cup) to a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer until liquid has reduced by half.
- Strain the flowers from the liquid.
- Add sugar (1 cup) to the flower water and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the syrup into a glass jar. The syrup should last up to 6 months
ENJOY!!
BUT!! Do not eat the berries and if you are going to forage, please follow the simple guidelines:
- Always be sure you are sure of the plant before you pick it and never eat any plant you are unsure of.
- Leave plenty behind for wildlife.
- Make sure you have permission to pick
- Only pick where plants are plentiful
