"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Saturday, 28 February 2015

Home made

Earlier this summer when my youngberries bushes were in fruit I harvested a large bowl full.

Yup - some jam got made and added to the store cupboard, but having so many berries left over, I, for the first time, made some youngberry syrup from a recipe in my copy of "The Preserving Book" by Lynda Brown.

All it takes is fruit, caster sugar and a small amount of citric acid.
That's all we have
left of the homemade
youngberry syrup I
made.
Although the bottle
is misted over, and
the contents unclear, the
cordial is a deep, clear
reddish colour - all
100% natural
 Oh boy - it's wonderful!!

And it turned out to be a memory jolt for my husband, RMan.  As a child he used to drink what he calls "Himbo" juice.  I never saw that for sale in the shops (but there again my parents weren't German so I obviously wasn't "attuned") and thus I had never tasted it.

When my youngberry syrup was ready I gave RMan a taste and he got excited.  "You made Himbo!!!" was his pleased comment.

Then his next words were, "You should market this".  Guess he really did like it lol

A couple of weeks ago my daughter and her family came to visit.  It was a warm day, so, during the afternoon I dished up some "Himbo" juice.
Baby cup discarded
at her feet - I want
Mum's juice please... :)
My little granddaughter, HJG was busy with her baby cup, but her Mum held out the glass of Himbo for her to try.  HJG took a small taste - looked up at her Mum - then grabbed hold of the glass with both hands to prevent it being taken away from her, and with deep toned grumbling "yum, yum" noises in her throat, proceed to polish of the contents.  Apparently whenever she is enjoying something edible she "grumbles".

Guess I'm going to have to devote all of the youngberries I harvest next season to youngberry syrup.  It is so simple to make, and being able to feed your little one's with something that doesn't contact colourants, artificial anything nor preservatives - that's special :)

I'm so privileged.
Posted by Dani at 17:10:00
Labels: ,

14 comments:

  1. Mum28 February 2015 at 20:58

    A job well done. Yum yums all round.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani1 March 2015 at 18:15

      Mum - Oh, yes, indeed. Yum Yums all round :)

      Delete
  2. DFW28 February 2015 at 21:15

    Dani,

    Sounds good. Especially on a warm day. Please be sure to share the recipe when you make the next batch. I'm wondering if I could make some from blackberries or blueberries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani1 March 2015 at 18:16

      Dallas - I will post the recipe :) Blackberries and blueberries would use the same recipe :)

      Delete
  3. Frugal in Derbyshire 28 February 2015 at 21:23

    I had to google "youngberry". it sounds like a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. I can do that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani1 March 2015 at 18:17

      FiD - I'm sure mixing the two berries would result in the same syrup. If you do so, please post :)

      Delete
  4. Sue28 February 2015 at 23:11

    Dani-what a sweet granddaughter you have. Glad she knows the good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani1 March 2015 at 18:20

      Sue - She is adorable - thank you :) Yeah - it would appear that she has her sights fixed on all the good things...

      Delete
  5. Shrimpton and Perfect1 March 2015 at 19:25

    Serendipitous! I think you should defo make some to sell as well. But only if you have enough for yourselves obvs.

    Jean
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani2 March 2015 at 11:42

      Jean - (giggle) We would come first... ;)

      Delete
  6. Chickpea2 March 2015 at 23:47

    I have never heard of young berries, they sound delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani3 March 2015 at 10:25

      Chickpea - They are :) As FiD said - they are a cross between a blackberry and raspberry.

      Delete
  7. Harry Flashman3 March 2015 at 16:20

    Sounds yummy. I like fruit drinks very much. I haven't ever heard of young berries, either. Maybe they don't grow here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani3 March 2015 at 16:26

      Harry - This syrup can be made with any berry :) Nothing beats your own home grown / home made juice. You know exactly what it contains :)

      Delete

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