Is that a thing? Why yes, yes it is. Pine cone syrup is a thing. But why?
Apparently, it is really expensive and it sells on Amazon for nearly $30 for a tiny bottle. I guess it is a sought after ingredient for haute cuisine! Some people drizzle it on cheese or use it to make gin cocktails. Its a thing.
Pine cone syrup seems to have originated in Siberia and/or eastern Europe. Is this a product of a land where food is scarce? Probably. The important thing is that pine cones have nutritional content of use to humans, so it is good to know how to use them.
You know, if SHTF and we are reduced to foraging for pine cones for sustenance. 馃槀馃槑馃槀 You can make tea from them, grind them up into flour, or just boil them and eat. Yeah.
Some claim there are medicinal uses for pine cone syrup. It is said to be able to strengthen immunity, relieve colds and cough, and it is a natural anti-inflammatory. I mean, if we are reduced to eating pine cones, there probably isn't any Benadryl around anymore either. Don't take medical advice from me though. Treat your scratchy throat with pine cone syrup at your own risk.
Perhaps the most important thing about pine cones is that they are a source of vitamin C. That is good to know as none of us want to develop a case of post-apocalyptic scurvy. As a source of dietary fiber, you can be sure they will keep you regular. If you are lucky enough to find cones with pine nuts, you will have access to magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, manganese and vitamin K.
So how do you make pine cone syrup? There are many ways and it can be stored long term.
Pine Cone Syrup recipe:
1 part water
1 part brown sugar
1 part green baby pine cones
Boil the pine cones in the water for 20 minutes and then let this "pine cone soup" stand in a covered pot overnight.
Add the sugar to the pine cone soup and boil again for 30 minutes. Keep watching and stirring so it does not burn while the syrup reduces.
Strain the liquid into clean jars and seal in a water bath for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can keep your syrup in the fridge.
That is one way. You can also ferment it.
Fermented Pine Cone Syrup recipe:
1 part green baby pine cones
1 part brown sugar
Pack pine cones and sugar into fermentation jars and allow to ferment in a cool dark place for 2 months or longer. When you are satisfied with your product, strain the syrup into clean jars. The syrup will be shelf stable, but you can store it in the fridge, or if you wish, seal your jars in a water bath. If you choose to use a water bath, you will destroy the beneficial bacteria that is produced through fermentation.
Thanks for reading and follow me for more info on stuff you won't eat now but may have to in the future. 馃榿
