Still Smarter

Easydrinker wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:33 am Seemingly having no sloes locally to harvest this year, a couple of days ago I picked blackcurrants to treat to the same method.
Alcoholic Ribena here I come!

Robert.

Well go with what you've got, but as for "no sloes" ? It's a bit early yet, and I only saw my first ones that are starting to ripen down here last week.

When they're still green, phenomenally hard to spot without getting really close to the bush/tree.........

Yes they say after first frost is the start of Sloe pickings.

Need to go and see how the local bushes are doing this year. Oh, and make more gin to put them in!

Jenny, when you go take an Afro comb and a bucket. It is the easiest way to harvest.

Works well for elderberries too.

Ooh, I like that idea!
Definitely worth a try

Afro comb?
I have just revised my mental image of Mash

Robert.

Afro circus

gaza the instructor wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2019 10:19 am Yes they say after first frost is the start of Sloe pickings.

Old wives tale, but practical for 2 reasons.

1. once the first frosts have come, there's no more sugars being carried through the plant to the fruit i.e. they'll be as sweet as they're ever likely to be (and as we know with sloes, that's not very sweet).

2. the leaves will have died off and fallen off the branches, so exposing the fruit so it can be picked/harvested with maximum safety in respect of those hideous thorns we find on the parent Blackthorn.............

phantom wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2019 11:18 am in respect of those hideous thorns we fine on the parent Blackthorn.............

The Afro comb, is good for avoiding those, quick and remarkably accurate with practice.

Pinky wrote: Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:14 pm The Afro comb, is good for avoiding those, quick and remarkably accurate with practice.

Whereas, I've only seen mention of using an Afro comb for elderberries as it seems to get rid of most of the stalks (and as I have a steam juice extractor, it's easier to leave the tiny stalks on, and use that).

After combing them off, tip everything in a bucket and fill with water. Rubbish will float. Skim off.

Witches also float, in which case, cut her from the ducking stool and burn her.
She will be wet and require a lot of kindling.
And possibly all the heads that you were saving for a heads run.

Robert.

Don't care how you pick 'em, right time is good
and leave to soak for a year, shake weekly.

Tea Gin, Macerating now no sputnik for now but hopefully it will turn out ok hopefully run tomorrow and apricots on the way.

Lee

So I had a Eureka moment or maybe more clarity from my stupidity.

I have a 150 mesh in a PTFE triclamp gasket that I bought a while ago to support my SPP but it didn't work it just made the coloum flood anyways I've now used it to hold the botanical in the vapour path similar to the sputnik no more maseraing can't believe I didn't think of it before been eyeing up the expensive gin baskets no need know

Lee

That should work very well

2 lots of tea gin I'm very impressed thanks Gaza have some soaking in apricots now. Will let you know how it works

Lee

Well done Lee that's a goodie mate.Am on that myself ATM.

Well I'm drinking my first apricot and tea gin with a slice of tangerine and its really good thanks again Gaza

I have managed to build my stock up of this one.
I love the taste and it's now with Bitter Orange
Gin my go to.

Oh yes changing the goal post are you ?

And where can I find the recipe for that one.

Got off my backside and found it bitter orange peel on its way have to go more neutral on the go also.

Thanks for sharing it sure makes it alot easier and greatly appreciated.

Lee

secret with the bitter orange again is once you have made
your gin, to let the juice and zest infuse for 5 or 6 days.
then filter carefully and you will have a nice drink.