Rose hips are an edible part of a rose bush. They look like little berries and appear once the bloom dies. They are comparable to the taste of a cranberry. Not only are rose hips tasty, they are also good for you. They are believed to help with inflammation and are used as a laxative. You can add them to many dishes and make a jam or a tea out of them. If you want to experience the benefits of rose hips for yourself, you can easily make your own rose hip jam or tea at home.
Preparing rose hips
Pluck your rose hips. They should be picked once they are a vibrant orange or red. Wait until after the first frost of fall to ensure the rose hips are sweet.
Use scissors to cut off the stems. Also, cut off the dead blossoms.
Use a knife to cut the rose hips in half. Use your fingers to remove and discard the seeds.
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Wash the inside and outside of the rose hips well with cold running water before using them.
Rose hip jam
Place one pound of prepared rose hips into a large saucepan. Add one cup of tap water and place over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Place a lid on the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the water to simmer for the next 20 minutes. Check the water periodically and add more if it seems to be evaporating. The rose hips should be mostly submerged. After 20 minutes they should be soft.
Use a strainer to drain the water from the rose hips. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press them through the strainer back into the large saucepan. This will remove any seeds you missed in preparation and break up the larger pieces.
Pour one pound of sugar to the pressed rose hips and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Taste your mixture to see if more sugar is needed. Add more to taste, if necessary. Place the saucepan back over medium heat and allow the mixture to simmer and reduce. You are looking for a jelly consistency.
Place your prepared jam into mason jars. Sterilize the jars first by boiling them in a pot of water for five minutes to kill any germs. Place the lid and rings on the jars and store your jam in the refrigerator.
Rose hip tea
Place two cups of cool tap water into a medium saucepan. Add four to six rose hips to the pan. This will be eight to twelve rose hips halves.
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Allow the water and rose hips to boil for 30 minutes for a stronger tea or less if you want your tea weak.
Pour your tea through a mesh strainer and into a mug to remove the solid pieces.
Sweeten your tea as you like.