How do you eat hawthorn? Simple recipes and safety tips

For centuries, cultures around the world have utilized hawthorn for its medicinal properties and as a food source. If you're wondering how do you eat hawthorn, there are numerous safe and delicious methods, from brewing teas with the flowers and leaves to cooking the berries into preserves.

Quick Summary

Hawthorn's berries, leaves, and flowers are edible but require proper preparation; they can be consumed raw with caution, brewed into tea, or cooked into jams and syrups.

Key Points

• Berries, Leaves, and Flowers are Edible: All three parts of the hawthorn plant can be safely consumed with proper preparation.

• Always Remove the Seeds: The seeds contain a trace amount of a compound that can convert to cyanide, so they should be discarded before cooking or eating.

• Cooking Enhances Flavor: Due to their natural tartness and starchy texture, most people prefer hawthorn berries cooked, which mellows their flavor and softens the flesh.

• Versatile Culinary Uses: Hawthorn berries are commonly used to make jams, jellies, syrups, and teas, but can also be incorporated into savory sauces and fruit leathers.

• Consult a Doctor if on Medication: Hawthorn can interact with heart and blood pressure medications; anyone taking such treatments must consult a healthcare provider first.

• Infusions and Teas: The leaves, flowers, or dried berries can be steeped in hot water to create a heart-healthy herbal tea.

The Edible Parts of Hawthorn and How to Prepare Them

Before you can decide how to eat hawthorn, it is important to understand which parts of the plant are safe to consume and which require special attention. The berries (known as haws), leaves, and flowers are all edible, each offering a unique flavor and texture profile.

The Berries (Haws)

The most well-known edible part of the hawthorn is its berry, the haw. These small, red fruits ripen in the autumn and have a tough skin and dry, mealy flesh with a slightly sweet, but mostly tart, flavor. They are very high in pectin, which makes them an excellent ingredient for jellies and jams.

Leaves and Flowers

Beyond the berries, the young leaves and flowers of the hawthorn are also edible.

• Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, offering a mild, nutty flavor.
• The flowers, when picked on a sunny day, can be brewed into a tea.

A Note on the Seeds

It is crucial to note that the seeds of hawthorn berries contain a small amount of amygdalin, a compound that can convert to cyanide. While not considered highly toxic in small quantities, it is widely recommended to discard the seeds rather than consume them, especially in large amounts. Proper preparation methods, like straining the cooked pulp, ensure the seeds are removed.

Hawthorn Berries: A Culinary Transformation

While you can eat ripe hawthorn berries raw, they are often quite tangy and starchy, and most people prefer them cooked or processed. Cooking softens the fruit, mellows the flavor, and makes it easier to remove the seeds. Cooking also allows for a multitude of culinary creations.

Recipes for Cooked Hawthorn

• Jams and Jellies: The high pectin content in hawthorn makes it ideal for making fruit preserves. A simple jelly can be made by simmering the berries, straining the liquid, and then adding sugar.
• Syrups: A simple syrup can be made by simmering berries with water and sugar. This can be used in drinks, over desserts, or as a medicinal cordial.
• Sauces and Ketchup: For a unique savory twist, hawthorn berries can be processed into a ketchup or used to make sauces for rich meats.
• Fruit Leathers: Blending cooked hawthorn pulp with other fruits like apples and then dehydrating the mixture creates a delicious and healthy snack.

Hawthorn Berry Syrup

Here is a simple recipe to make a hawthorn berry syrup:

1. Prepare the berries: Wash 4 cups (500 g) of fresh hawthorn berries and remove any stems or leaves. If using dried berries, you can skip this step.
2. Cook: Place the prepared berries in a large pot with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the berries are soft and the liquid has reduced.
3. Strain: Mash the berries slightly and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing out all the pulp and removing the seeds. Strain twice for a smoother syrup.
4. Finish: Return the liquid to the pot. Add 1¼ cups of sugar (or honey) and heat gently until the sugar dissolves.
5. Bottle: Pour the hot syrup into sterilized bottles. Once cooled, store in the refrigerator for several weeks.

From Plant to Pot: Using Leaves and Flowers

The hawthorn's benefits and flavors extend beyond its berries. The young leaves and blossoms can be used to make a calming and flavorful tea.

To make hawthorn leaf and flower tea:

1. Gather young leaves or flowers. Use dried leaves and flowers for a longer shelf life.
2. Add a tablespoon of dried herbs per cup of boiling water.
3. Steep for 10-15 minutes.
4. Strain and enjoy, with optional honey or a slice of lemon.

Raw vs. Cooked Hawthorn: A Flavor and Texture Comparison

Understanding the differences between raw and cooked hawthorn is key to choosing the right preparation for your needs.

Feature	Raw Hawthorn	Cooked Hawthorn (e.g., jam, syrup)
Taste Profile	Tart, slightly sweet, and tangy, sometimes likened to a crabapple.	Mellowed sweetness; the tartness is balanced with added sugar or honey.
Texture	Dry, mealy, and tough flesh with large, hard seeds that must be removed.	Soft, smooth consistency, especially when pureed for syrups or jams.
Common Uses	Small snack (carefully removing seeds), foraging novelty.	Jams, jellies, syrups, sauces, wines, teas, and fruit leathers.
Nutritional Profile	High in vitamin C and antioxidants.	Antioxidant compounds are retained; organic acids prevent some vitamin loss during heating.

Important Precautions Before You Eat Hawthorn

While hawthorn is generally considered safe for most people, there are crucial precautions to keep in mind, especially when using it for medicinal purposes.

Interactions with Medications

Hawthorn is known for its heart-supporting properties, which are based on active compounds that affect the cardiovascular system. For this reason, it can have serious interactions with certain medications, including:

• Digoxin (Lanoxin): Hawthorn can amplify the effects of this heart medication.
• Beta-blockers: The blood pressure-lowering effect of these medications can be intensified.
• Calcium Channel Blockers: Similar to beta-blockers, hawthorn can cause an intense drop in blood pressure when combined with these drugs.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

If you are currently taking any heart or blood pressure medication, or if you have a pre-existing heart condition, it is imperative that you consult with your doctor before consuming hawthorn in any form. This is also recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, as safety information is limited. For general nutritional information and safety considerations, resources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) can be authoritative.

Conclusion: Embracing the Versatile Hawthorn

Knowing how to eat hawthorn safely opens the door to a versatile and flavorful ingredient. Whether you are foraging for berries in the autumn or picking blossoms in the spring, this plant offers numerous culinary possibilities beyond just a wild snack. From sweet and simple syrups to complex savory sauces, hawthorn can add a unique, tangy-sweet profile to your creations, all while leveraging its rich history and nutritional benefits. By remembering the crucial safety tips regarding the seeds and potential drug interactions, you can confidently explore the culinary potential of this historic plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat hawthorn berries raw?

Yes, you can eat ripe hawthorn berries raw, but they have a tart and starchy flavor. It is crucial to spit out the seeds, as they contain a trace amount of a toxin.

What parts of the hawthorn plant are edible?

The berries (haws), young leaves, and flowers of the hawthorn plant are all edible. The leaves can be used in salads, and the flowers and berries can be brewed into tea or cooked.

Are hawthorn berries poisonous?

Hawthorn berries are not poisonous. The seeds, however, contain a compound that can convert to cyanide in high doses, so it is recommended to remove them.

How do you make hawthorn jam?

To make hawthorn jam, simmer the washed berries with water until soft. Strain the mixture to remove the seeds and pulp, then return the liquid to the pot, add sugar, and cook until it reaches a jelly-like consistency.

What does hawthorn taste like?

Raw hawthorn berries have a tart, slightly sweet, and tangy taste, sometimes compared to a milder apple or crabapple. When cooked with sugar, the flavor mellows and becomes more sweet.

What is hawthorn berry tea good for?

Hawthorn tea is rich in antioxidants and has traditionally been used to support heart health, improve circulation, and aid digestion. It has a mild, pleasant flavor.

Can you consume hawthorn if you are on heart medication?

No, you should not consume hawthorn if you are on heart medication, including digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, without consulting a doctor due to potential drug interactions.