In October, the hedges are covered with small red berries: rose hips, fruits of the rosehip. Known for their vitamin C content, they can be kept for several months once dried. Here’s how to harvest them and easily prepare a homemade powder for the winter.
Why harvest rose hips in October?
In this season, the fruits of Rosa canina, known for their vitamin C content, are easy to spot: they are bright red, smooth and still firm to the touch. Once dried, the fruits store easily and can be used over the months. Their slightly tangy taste also enhances sauces, purees and simple preparations.
Then, when it gets colder (especially after frost), the rose hips become softer. They can then be used to prepare jam, but are less easy to dry and reduce to powder.
How to prepare your homemade rosehip powder?
The preparation is quite simple, but requires a little patience. Start by washing the rose hips, remove the stems, then cut the fruit in half.
If they are still firm, remove the seeds and small irritating hairs before drying them. If they are already soft, it is better to wait until they are completely dry to remove them more easily.
Then place for drying. The blog recommends not exceeding 40°C to best preserve the components of the fruit. A dehydrator makes it easy to adjust the temperature. Failing that, the German magazine Mein Schöner Garten recommends an oven set to minimum, with the door ajar.
You can also leave the fruit to dry in a warm, dry room. In all cases, air must circulate well to avoid mold.
How to store and use rosehip powder?
When the fruits are completely dry and brittle, they can be ground into powder using a blender or coffee grinder.
However, it’s best not to crush everything at once. Vegetable powders can in fact oxidize quickly after being reduced. So keep some of the fruit whole and prepare small quantities as you go.
And after? The powder can then be added to yogurt, muesli, a warm drink or pancake batter. It is also possible to incorporate it into a smoothie.
A simple gesture to enjoy rose hips for several months, while adding a little tangy touch to your recipes!