SLOES

Blackthorn has two spectacular seasons of interest; it celebrates spring with a froth of sparkling, white blossom and welcomes summer/autumn with an abundance of purplish/black fruits. These edible berries are known as sloes and are a key ingredient in sloe gin. While they belong to the same family as plums, they do have a rather sharp, unpalatable flavour when eaten straight from the plant. However, they are delicious and nutritious when turned into preserves and syrups. TOP TIP The flavour of ...