On the forage trail: Rosehips (Briar Rose or Dog Rose)
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Rosehips are plentiful on the forage trail this season, and with loads of nutrition and culinary uses, they are worth the effort it takes to prepare them.
 
The following are my recipes for rosehip tea and cordial:
 
Rosehip Tea
Ingredients:
2 cups of rosehips
4 cups of water
Method:
Bring rosehips and water to the boil and simmer 5-10 minutes until softened; take off heat, crush rosehips with masher, and then simmer a further few minutes.
Drain liquid from rosehips and their seeds using fine sieve or drain in muslin cloth overnight. Discard pulp.
To make tea, add hot or cold water to taste and honey to sweeten if desired.
Caution:
Seeds have fine hairs which are an irritant so ensure all seeds are removed.
 
Rosehip Cordial
Ingredients:
Make batch of syrup as per above
Juice of a lemon
½ kilo white sugar
Method:
Add juice of a lemon and sugar to rosehip syrup.
Bring to boil and simmer until thickened.
Bottle while hot.
Keeps in fridge for around four weeks.
For a refreshing drink, add desired amount of cordial to soda or mineral water.

Briar or Dog Rose with ripe fruit known as Rosehips.