Allotments 4 All
Produce => Drink .... => Topic started by: derbex on August 31, 2004, 14:35:15
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Freed up the demijohns by bottling last years, tasted good just out of the siphon tube, so it's time to make some more -I've already got a 1lb from our hedge and there's more to come.
Jeremy
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Got 3 gallons started!!! ;D ;D ;D And more to come :o
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Thanks for the reminder - I'll go collecting this weekend.
-B_B-
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Has anyone grown an elderberry bush? The ones that are wild in our hedge generally need ladders to get at them. Would you start from seeds or suttings?
There are a couple at our allotment site -one as a standard. More annoyingly they have lots of berries on -and the birds are taking them all.
Jeremy
Who has a pair of scissors and a carrier bag in his knapsack 8)
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Several years ago we made an elderberry port (contained wheat) but have now lost the receipe. Has anyone got one they can pass on to me please. There are so many berries on the hedge at the moment, it will be a shame to let the birds eat them all.
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I've an elderberry port recipe -but I don't think it's the same as I don't remember any wheat in it. I'll look it out if you like.
Jeremy
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Thanks Jeremy, would appreciate that very much.
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I've constructed a "Gatherer" from a defunct pair of secartures and a Kiddies "Shrimp net". Mounted on a long pole with sections that will reach about 20 feet up, operated by pulling a bit of string. Bit fiddly and the comments from others on the towpath, but what bunches! Cheers, Tony.
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Bannerdown -we need a picture- why should passers by on the towpath have all the fun ;D
Elderberry port
4pts elderberries
5pts water
31/4 lb suger
4oz raisins
Yeast, nutrient, pectic enzyme
7floz brandy
Wash elderberries, place in stainless pan add the water & boil for 15 mins.
Strain and discard berries (can be used for light elderberry wine)
Add suger & raisins to hot liquid stir until the suger is dissolved and leave to cool.
Add yeast nutrient, pectic enzyme and yeast.
Ferment as per normal.
When matured bottle -adding 7 tsp of brandy to each bottle, should make 6 bottles.
I made this last year -forgot to add the brandy this year, but it did taste quite 'porty'. I couldn't bring myself to discard the berries so fermented with them in for 4 days, also didn't add the enzyme or nutrient, I used 3 lbs of berries.
Jeremy
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I'm sitting here with a digital camera but do not have the techy' knowhow how to put piccies on the page. Anyone care to take the time and lay down "Chapter and Verse" on how to do it, al in the layest of laymans terms. Cheers, Tony.
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Tony, ummmm well, you have to get them transferred from the camera to the computer first! Then copy them and put them into a folder.I have mine in "My Computer", then to "my Documents", then "my Pictures". At the moment, Dan is running a link because of the show. If you start a thread, click on the link at the bottom (says browse) you should be able to browse your computer to look up your photo. Click on it and it will automatically attatch........hopefully! This is probably as clear as mud!! Sorry ::) DP
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Oh and I forgot to say, another gallon of elderberry under way! Drank some of last years tonight.....delish!!! ;D
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DP how many elderberries do you use/gallon, I find stripping them off the stalks takes an age -maybe I should do it in front of the telly.
I also need to find some more bushes PDQ
Jeremy
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5lb berries per gallon, and 3lb sugar. Hubby likes to sit n pick em off. (wearing rubber gloves!)
When I do it I run through with a fork, my friend swears by an old "afro" comb to do hers!
Making another gallon today, and also runner bean and elderberry!! Will post the recipe! ;D
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Easiest way to remove Elderberries from the "twigs" is to run them through the prongs of a kitchen fork, this normally leaves the unripe ones behind which is a bonus. Cheers, Tony.
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Finally got 2 gallons underway yesterday -I might make another if I can find some more elderberries. I've got my mum out scouring the charity shops for more demi-johns :)
Jeremy
(Blackberry next, maybe)
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Jeremy we are up to 6 gallons now!! :o Roll on 6 months ;D
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Doris, you'll definately be rolling is 6 months ;D
Jeremy
(Also thinking about cider -if I can find a cheap source of apples)
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(http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/1/happy49.gif)Have you tried the Car-Boots Jeremy,there are always plenty of Demi-Johns ,Wine making equipment at ours going for about 50p each.(http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/1/happy49.gif)
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No, I'll have to give it a go, weekends tend to be pretty packed though, and it means getting up and into the car :P
Jeremy
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Beat You, Beat You , Beat You ! Ten Gallons on the go. I don't use demi jons for such a large ammount. I use large (five gallon) food grade plastic buckets in which the Mayonnaise arrives at work for your 'Party eggs'. I cut a hole in the lid and jamb the rubber bung and bubbler assembly in there, sometimes I have to resort to wrapping insulating tape round the loin to ensure a good seal :P. There is a school of thought that the larger the quantity of wine brewed in one container, the better. Off to track down some Rosehips this weekend. Cheers, Tony. ;D
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Good idea that Tony, will have to track some down! 10 gallons, lucky you! ;D One of mine is a runner bean and elderberry, interested to see what it tastes like!
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We've got masses of hips (or haws?) at the top of our hedge -not sure if they're rose hips though- and I'd need one of those lampost platforms to get at them.
I did make rosehip wine once and it tasted very good -just about killed my mums Kenwood crushing them though.
Jeremy
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I.m not too sure about mixing fruit and vegetable in the same recipe (runner bean and elderberry) but if it is drinkable, it is a success! Let me know how it turns out. Hips are the 'fruit' of the wild rose, haws are the fruit of the hawthorn, as I said to the old Gent who had a chat while I was collecting them " You always find a few good old haws along the canal towpath". He went away sniggering! Cheers, Tony. ;)
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Nearly caught up with you Tony, another 2 1/2 gallons on the go! We need a bigger house, or a garage! :o Will let you know how the runner bean and elderberry tastes! DP
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You know when you 'may be overdoing it' when you walk through the kitchen to the kettle for you early morning tea and have difficulty breathing due to the overabundance of C02! Cheers, Tony.
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Our house smells like a brewery and I have several ladies round Friday morning for a coffee morning! :o :o
BTW, does anyone else think that Elderberry has a fast fermentation rate? Some of mine have slowed to a snails pace and they are on a heating pad! DP
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How long's it been going Doris? Mine's been going 10 days and it's still bubbling well -although starting to slow down a bit -and the room feels quite cool. 2-3 weeks normally does it for me.
Jeremy.
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Hmmm bout 2 1/2 weeks! So I guess we are normal.......well, if you can us normal, you know what I mean! ;D
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I have two five gallon containers of the stuff and when the pressure builds up enough to get through the bubbler it sounds like a central heating system with a terminal problem. I believe long and slow fermentation is the way to get better results (rather than a quick thrash). I've never known a wine with such a 'crust' to break up as on the top of Rose Hip. Cheers, Tony.