sloe or damson

STOCKWIRE

TonyMMM wrote: »

If they are sloes, don't pick them yet ......much too early.

I was always told never to pick them before a frost ~ waited last year and I was too late !

chumbasmum

STOCKWIRE wrote: »

I was always told never to pick them before a frost ~ waited last year and I was too late !

A friend who often makes sloe gin syas that it is a tradition to pick in August bank holiday (a couple of weeks to go!!)

To get round the frost..she puts hers in the freezer.

Def. having a go this year to make xmas presents.

TonyMMM

chumbasmum wrote: »

A friend who often makes sloe gin syas that it is a tradition to pick in August bank holiday (a couple of weeks to go!!)

Way too early .... they will look OK , but be nowhere near ripe.

Lots of excellent info on Sloe Gin making here

September is the absolute earliest, but really October/November is the best time. Unfortunately so many people pick them too early and not many actually survive to be ripe.

QOTD

I've had the same problem distinguishing whether we have sloes or damsons growing near us. The main question that I would like answering is that if I make "sloe" gin and they are damsions, will "damson" gin be just as nice and ok if I make it using a sloe recipe?

lobbyludd

will "damson" gin be just as nice and ok if I make it using a sloe recipe?

I really hope so as I've got some on the go as we speak! I can report back after christmas: although I'm sure someone here has experience

Lotus-eater

I've made damson brandy, that's nice, not made damson gin, but it should be fine.

Just taste whatever you have, if your face puckers up like eating a lemon, then that's a sloe, if it tastes sort of sweet and is just bigger than a sloe, it's a bullace, if it tastes like a lovely wild plum, then it's a damson.

Lazy_Liz

Damson Gin is every bit as nice a sloe gin, it is traditionaly made in the south or the Lake District in the Lith Valley where lots of damsons grow. There are several makers of damson gn and some can be found in high quality food shops. Its a lot cheaper to make your own, the method is the same as sloe gin

tim_n

Just made some slow gin on my blog www.waark.com - the birds had had almost all of them! Thought of damson vodka has piqued my interest...