freezing rowanberrys

Walks · Sep 27, 2013

Hi, does anyone know if you can freeze rowanberrys?
There are loads and loads on trees round here and I'm just wondering if I can gather loads and store them for a later date.

Thanks.

Tim_Crowhurst · Sep 27, 2013

Freezing breaks down the cells walls and turns them mushy, which releases more flavour and fermentables in their juice. So for the purposes of wine-making, freezing is recommended for pretty much any fruit.

tonyhibbett · Sep 28, 2013

It seems this is an essential first stage. Thereafter they should be gently cooked for half an hour and when cool, pectic enzyme introduced, along with half a pound of wheat per gallon and a pound of raisins per 3 pounds of berries and a whole tablespoon of citric acid and a kilo of sugar, plus yeast and nutrient. As yet, I have no positive reviews of the resultant wine. only negative ones.

Tim_Crowhurst · Sep 28, 2013

Since the wine sounds like a bust, you could make rowan jelly. I've never tried it (my mother refuses to let me have any berries off her tree, as they "belong to the birds") however there's a recipe here:

http://britishfood.about.com/od/recipei ... njelly.htm

Walks · Sep 29, 2013

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies. Having read them and a few other bits about rowanberry wine I think I'll give it a miss.
I've got loads of other fruit to be going on with anyway.
Thanks again.

Farmbrew · Sep 29, 2013

Reading some old folk recipes...rowan berries could be made pallatable by basically boiling the hell out if them. Then that was only done if people were desperate for some calories :???:

ish1349 · Oct 4, 2013

I have read lots of reviews saying that the wine is not good. But I will be trying it out. I am willing to sacrifice my time, a demijohn and 6 empty wine bottles to see what it's like. I have read that it is best left in the bottle and not opened for 1-3 years. Now that is a very long time. But hey, if it's horrible. Will not do it again.

SloeBrewer · Oct 4, 2013

Rowan berries contain parasorbic acid, which is mildly poisonous. It can be broken down by freezing, but is heating is better. Rowan berries are best turned into jelly (very good with game), wines will probably be disappointing and may give you stomach ache!