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Can anybody tell me if these are sloes, I have googled some images and they do look like them, but not 100% sure, just want confirmation:



Thanks

thats them alright, they have a big " pip" and are sour enuff to fold you face in half!

Ah - you have to do the sloe test.

Put your arms deep within the bush. Wave them around wildly. If you begin to scream as the 2 to 3 inch thorns penetrate your flesh, they're sloes.

Mike

MKG wrote:Ah - you have to do the sloe test.

Put your arms deep within the bush. Wave them around wildly. If you begin to scream as the 2 to 3 inch thorns penetrate your flesh, they're sloes.

Mike

Did you really do that to proove they were sloes ...

Ok I went with the pip test rather than the shredding your arms to bits test.

Having said that I didnt notice any thorns on the bush...have already added them to gin though so lets hope they were!

Sloes can be notoriously variable (as can their cousins, bullace, damson and plum). Not every bush will be viciously thorny (although some are, so watch out!) and their shape can vary from fleshy and round to oval - looking like tiny, unbelievably sour, half inch plums. I have loads of them here and even walking from bush to bush you can see the variations but you will soon pick up the distinctive leaf shape, the small fruit covered in a dusty looking blue/black bloom and the very dark coloured (thorny/thornless/ or only slightly thorny) bark.

They seldom get bigger than half an inch, anything larger is straying into bullace or damson territory and you can tell the difference there by doing the taste test as both bullace and damson can be tart, but often ripen to a raw palatability that you will never get from a sloe - which are always mouth puckeringly sharp!

One word of warning about those thorns. If you find a bush full of them take care because the scratches they inflict can get infected very easily so when I'm foraging I usually carry some anti-bac wipes with me which help to keep any wounds clean.

Hedgehogpie wrote:Sloes can be notoriously variable (as can their cousins, bullace, damson and plum). Not every bush will be viciously thorny (although some are, so watch out!) and their shape can vary from fleshy and round to oval - looking like tiny, unbelievably sour, half inch plums. I have loads of them here and even walking from bush to bush you can see the variations but you will soon pick up the distinctive leaf shape, the small fruit covered in a dusty looking blue/black bloom and the very dark coloured (thorny/thornless/ or only slightly thorny) bark.

They seldom get bigger than half an inch, anything larger is straying into bullace or damson territory and you can tell the difference there by doing the taste test as both bullace and damson can be tart, but often ripen to a raw palatability that you will never get from a sloe - which are always mouth puckeringly sharp!

One word of warning about those thorns. If you find a bush full of them take care because the scratches they inflict can get infected very easily so when I'm foraging I usually carry some anti-bac wipes with me which help to keep any wounds clean.

Easy way round that problem ... you ask before taking and leave a gift after... seeds, nuts, water, whatever you feel fit.

Ahh. That bit's more of a private ritual for me but this year we have quite a lot to be thankful for it seems.

Thanks everyone for your help, I am hoping I will be able to share some lovely sloe gin with my friends and family this christmas.

Helen
x

Make loads, it's wonderful stuff and doesn't last long!

Yeah, I have made about 2 liters of the stuff. Husband is really into it now, wants to have a go at sloe vodka!

Your Christmas should be merry then! While you're out and about harvest some Elderberries and have a crack at Elderberry Schnapps. Basically the same technique as for Sloe gin but I don't add any sugar while steeping and only a little to taste once I'm happy with the infusion. It makes a nice sipping drink when served in chilled shot glasses.

Helsbells wrote:Yeah, I have made about 2 liters of the stuff. Husband is really into it now, wants to have a go at sloe vodka!

Just spotted this one (again). Take my word for it, two litres will go in a flash - sloe gin is delicious. Next year, aim for five litres at least - you can use the cheapest gin you can find, because the sloe flavour is totally dominant. (Same applies to vodka).

Mike

I did!

It was the sainsburys value one, I almost expected to see a scull and corss bones on the bottle it was that basic!

I've moved on to demi-johns for making the sloe gin now, we used to use 1 litre le parfait jars but they were never big enough. I know it makes me sound like a raging alcoholic, but really I'm not! (Honest! )