Natural Sea Buckthorn Syrup
Ingredients: -1 kg sea buckthorn fruit - 1 ½ kg sugar per 1 l liquid - 2 packets of citric acid - 1 tablespoon of salicylic acid or 1-2 crushed aspirin / 1 l syrup - water, boiled and cooled
To prepare a delicious sea buckthorn syrup, it is essential to follow a few fundamental rules, especially regarding the utensils and containers used. Make sure to use only plastic, porcelain, enamel containers, or stainless steel or wooden utensils. This is crucial because sea buckthorn berries are very sensitive and can react with certain materials.
Start by cleaning the sea buckthorn berries of impurities, removing any leaves or unwanted debris. Wash them thoroughly in several waters to ensure maximum cleanliness. After washing, let them drain to eliminate excess water. The next step is to crush the berries. The simplest method is to use a fruit or tomato juicer, which will turn the sea buckthorn into pulp.
Once you have obtained the pulp, it is important to strain the juice through a cheesecloth, squeezing well to extract all the liquid. The clear juice obtained is set aside, and the remaining residues in the cheesecloth (seeds and skins) should not be thrown away. These can be used further. Add water, in a ratio of 1/5 of the total amount of residues, mix well, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. After this interval, squeeze again through the cheesecloth to obtain additional liquid.
Now, combine this liquid with the clear juice you obtained earlier. To this mixture, add sugar, adjusting the amount according to the total volume of juice. It is important to maintain the correct proportion to achieve a balanced taste. Also, do not forget to add lemon salt and salicylic acid (aspirin) dissolved in a little juice, mixing with a wooden spoon until everything is completely dissolved.
Once the mixture is homogeneous, pour it into clean bottles, either glass or plastic. Seal them well and label each bottle with the date and type of syrup. Then, store them in the pantry. Before use, do not forget to shake the bottle well, as the pulp particles will settle. It is normal for the sea buckthorn syrup to contain suspensions and not have a completely clear appearance.
The taste of sea buckthorn syrup is unique, having pleasant notes between the aroma of apricot and pineapple. This syrup is served as a juice, combining it with mineral water, soda, or plain water, depending on individual preferences. Get ready to enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink, full of vitamins!
