Spruce Tip Syrup – Sweet syrup from spruce
Spruce Tip Syrup is a unique and delightful sweetener made from the young, tender tips of spruce trees. This delightful syrup captures the essence of spring with its bright, citrusy, and slightly resinous flavor, making it a perfect addition to cocktails, marinades, or as a topping for desserts. To make the syrup, freshly picked spruce tips are cleaned, combined with sugar and water, and then simmered to extract their flavorful oils. Some variations may include lemon zest or other citrus elements to enhance the syrup's vibrant taste. Description by ChatGPT.
Today, we are going to delve into the delightful world of wild foraging and syrup-making. Inspired by Chelsea from Little Mountain Ranch, we'll craft a syrup that's rich in forest flavors and hints of citrus from the spruce tips gathered from the great outdoors. This spruce tip syrup can add a unique twist to your pancakes, french toast, or even be used as a natural remedy for sore throats. So let's embrace the wisdom of the wilderness and sweeten our day with this natural treat!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh spruce tips (or fir tips, if available)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
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Total Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
- Clean jars or bottles for storing syrup
Instructions:
1. Begin by thoroughly rinsing your spruce tips to remove any debris or insects. Pat them dry gently with a towel.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of sugar with 2 cups of water. Stir gently to start dissolving the sugar.
3. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Once the sugar-water mixture reaches a rolling boil, add the 2 cups of spruce tips to the saucepan.
5. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer gently for about five minutes. The longer you simmer, the more concentrated the syrup will become. However, for a thinner syrup, simply reduce the simmering time.
6. After simmering, take the saucepan off the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
7. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the syrup into clean jars or bottles to remove the spruce tips. Press down on the tips with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
8. Allow the syrup to cool completely before sealing the jars or bottles.
9. Store the cooled syrup in the refrigerator. It can be used immediately or kept for several months.
10. Enjoy your Mountain-Harvest Spruce Tip Syrup drizzled over breakfast foods or as a natural remedy for coughs and sore throats!
Cooking Tips:
- Harvest young, tender spruce tips in the spring for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding less sugar if desired, but keep in mind that the sugar helps preserve the syrup.
- Always consult with local foraging guidelines to ensure you're responsibly and sustainably harvesting wild ingredients.
Servings: This recipe yields approximately 3 cups of syrup.
A tip of the chef's hat to Chelsea at Little Mountain Ranch for sharing her insights and techniques: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleMountainRanch
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