The rose hip, which is blessed with a delicate, fruity taste and rich in vitamins A, B and C, can be used to make all sorts of things. Jellies, syrups, teas, wine and even cosmetics. Both the fruits and seeds are edible, but you should not eat the rose hips whole as they have annoying hairs on the inside. But don't worry, you can filter them out either before or after drying. How to dry rose hips? Read on!
Different types of rose hips
The rose hips of the common wild rose, also known as dog rose (Rosa canina), taste best. They are firm, deep red rose hips that are rich in flavor and easy to find and harvest. You should harvest rose hips in the fall when they are ripe, but it is said that the best time to harvest is right after frost. Make sure the fruit is firm and colorful. If you find any that are becoming soft or have dark spots, leave them alone.
The Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) is another common rose that produces edible and giant rose hips. They are literally four or five times the size of a rose hip. They are often found in urban plantings. Before drying them, try to remove as much of the inside as possible.
Dry rose hips in the oven
- You can easily dry rose hips for tea in the oven. Rinse the fruits in water and let them dry.If you have rose hipsTo use the Rosa Rugosa, cut it open and remove as many seeds as possible. Once you have picked the smaller fruits of the Rosa Canina (dog rose), simply cut off the top and bottom portions of the rose hip, leaving them mostly intact. They are much smaller and therefore dry more easily than the larger rugosas.
- Place the rose hips in the oven on low heat for about three and a half hours until bone dry. Prop the oven door open with a tea towel (or similar) to allow moisture to escape from inside.
- Allow the fruit to cool completely, then place it in a paper bag to dry for about a week. When you're sure the pieces are bone dry, run them through a food processor until coarsely chopped. Pour everything into a sieve and shake out the “itching powder” on newspaper or in a bag. You'll be amazed at how easily they fall through the sieve.
- Store the dried rose hips for tea in an airtight container in a dark and cool place. The tea is best consumed within a year, but can last longer depending on the storage method.
Dehydrator method
Drying rose hips in a dehydrator is much easier and uses less energy than drying them in an oven. Pick your rose hips, rinse them with cold water. Cut the fruit in half and remove the seeds and hairs inside the tuber. Once the seeds and hairs are removed, gently rinse the inside of the rose hips. Remember that only the fruit should be used for drying. Place the fruit in the dehydrator at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and dry for about 6 to 8 hours. The rose hipsare dried, if they feel tight and brittle. When fully dried, the rose hips are dark in color and very hard. Store the dried hips in a mason jar with an oxygen absorber. For long-term storage, the lids must be vacuum sealed with a jar sealer.
Air dry the fruit
This process does not require electricity, which is ideal for many as it saves counter space. The only downside to drying rose hips in the sun? You need at least 8 to 10 hours of full sun. There are two ways to air rose hipsto dry. If the weather is warm and dry, you can first clean the fruit and then spread it out on wax paper or a sieve. The sun can dry smaller rose hips in just one day. If they are not completely dry, bring the fruits indoors overnight and put them outside again the next day. If you have a greenhouse or polytunnel, you can also dry them indoors and leave them in overnight.
You can also dry rose hips indoors. This can take about a month, but is a good option if you have limited outdoor space or the weather isn't good. Clean the fruits, spread them on trays lined with wax paper and place them in a dry, well-ventilated area. When they are completely dry, you can store them in jars.
Prepare rosehip tea
Measure out 1 teaspoon of dried rose hips for each cup of tea you want to make. Pour boiling water over the rose hips and let them steep for about five minutes. Remove the tea leaf holder from your teapot and discard the contents. You can compost the wet fruit. Serve the tea immediately and sweeten it with a little honey or stevia.
Other uses of the fruit
Rose hips have long been used in traditional medicine to relieve digestive problems and strengthen the immune system. To reap the benefits of rose hips, you can make them into rose hip tea, jam or compote. They are also ideal as a topping for muesli or as an ingredient in smoothies and sauces. Rose hips are also onenice decorationfor Advent wreaths or Christmas arrangements.
