Wild British Fruit

One very exciting thing about British fields and forests is that they are teeming with wild fruit that is free for foraging.   This is perfect for people who make jellies and jams in England who want to use the very traditional old fruits that people would have centuries ago.

Blackberries have been growing on brambles in the United Kingdom for centuries and the best picking time for them is from August to October. They are found in hedgerows and along footpaths and country lanes.  You are best to pick those that are located the furthest from highways as they can pick up toxins from pollution.

When picking be sure to choose blackberries that are black in color and plump and shiny. If the fruits are squishy then they are past their prime.  You can use them to make crumbles, cakes, jam, jellies, cordials, liquers and vinegars.  The British also use them to make vinegar.

Rosehips, which are the berries of the wild rose are also available from September to November. The rose bushes are everywhere in the U.K. and easy to find at the edges of forests, in hedgerows, the edges of footpaths and in ungrazed meadows.

Rosehips are known for being very rich in Vitamin C. Be sure to remove the seeds inside before you use them as they are a real irritant. The berries are used to make jellies, jams, wine and a syrup that can be used for ice cream and pancakes.

Another favorite fruit are sloes. These are the small hard black and blue fruit of the blackthorn bush they look like large blue berries. They are coated in a pale powder that looks like dust. They are a tough fruit found growing on a shrub with spiny branches and oval leaves. They grow well on scrubland and in meadows.  They are best picked after the first frost and are used for flavoring gin and brandy or to make jelly for duck or lamb.

To ensure that these fruits keep growing year after year British wild fruit gatherers need you to never strip any one plant completely of fruit. This ensures that the plant will reemerge with fruit next year. If the berries are on another person’s land be sure to get permission. Always avoid picking fruit next to roads to avoid having it become polluted.  Most importantly make sure you are not picking poison berries and do not taste a berry if you are not sure.