What's the best time to pick damsons?

[Dave2002]

Now, or should we wait another week or two?

I wonder if they're a bit early this year. If we leave it too late others, or birds will have them.

We process them with gin to make an alcoholic beverage.

[Anna]

We process them with gin to make an alcoholic beverage.

Ooh, lovely! I'm sending you a PM with my address Dave ............

[Dave2002]

It'll be a bit like Joe and Ed's Cider Club then!

[Anna]

It'll be a bit like Joe and Ed's Cider Club then!

I had to google that and - SHOCK HORROR - you are referring to The Archers!!
As you've made damson gin before, I can only guess you aim for the degree of ripeness of fruit you've done in the past. Personally, I've only made sloe gin but, there's going to be a bumper crop of blackberries here this year, can I do blackberry gin?

[umslopogaas]

According to the RHS book, it depends which variety you've got:

'Farleigh' and 'Merryweather': Early autumn
'Prune': Early - mid autumn

A bit vague. I suggest you watch closely until the first ones fall, then move in fast and pick the rest.

'Farleigh' is "Blue-black, rich true damson flavour. Compact habit."
'Merryweather' has "Blue fruit, larger than other damsons."
'Prune' has "Blue-black, long, oval fruits. Vigorous but neat habit."

[MrGongGong]

I had to google that and - SHOCK HORROR - you are referring to The Archers!!
As you've made damson gin before, I can only guess you aim for the degree of ripeness of fruit you've done in the past. Personally, I've only made sloe gin but, there's going to be a bumper crop of blackberries here this year, can I do blackberry gin?

Yes you can
we have just started a demijohn full

not too much sugar though

Raspberry Vodka is good too

[Dave2002]

I thought you couldn't. I found this site which has cocktails plus blackberries, but also a warning about mixing gin and blackberries for a long time - http://www.ginandtales.com/cocktails...-blackberryade

If Mr GG says it works, then lets believe him, and have his recipe.

[Anna]

Yes you can
we have just started a demijohn full not too much sugar though Raspberry Vodka is good too

What proportion of fruit/sugar/gin. Do you use botanical gin or bog standard supermarket?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Ooh, lovely! I'm sending you a PM with my address Dave ............

Dave wants to pick "damsons", not "damsels", Anna!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

When to pick damsons is a very sore point. Our tree has just died, the bark having been removed around the bottom of the trunk. Frau says it's her fault, because she uses a strimmer to cut the grass around the trees. However, I was the one who was too lazy to put protectors around them.

[vinteuil]

... the previous owners of the house I lived in as a child had had the disastrous idea (perhaps they thought it was witty?) of planting, at the bottom end of the garden, bordering a little stream, a line of little trees. The trees they had chosen were, alternately, one damson, one sloe, one damson, one sloe, one damson, one sloe, etc., etc.

Damsons and sloes look pretty similar.

If you're a child and you greedily pick a fruit thinking it's a damson - and it turns out to be a sloe - you don't forget...

[MrGongGong]

What proportion of fruit/sugar/gin. Do you use botanical gin or bog standard supermarket?

Using this one (with a bit less sugar)

http://jamesbonfieldrecipes.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/blackberry-gin/

and Tescos value gin

If its a bit characterless we might throw in a few crushed juniper berries

[Dave2002]

Ah, the value gin!

At the check out several bottles of TVG are unloaded onto the conveyor belt.

Youngish girl: Mummy, you only had a few bottles yesterday.
M: Yes dear, I'm making damson gin.
Checkout lady and YG look at each other "knowingly"!


Later M says to YG "I'll have to go to the other Tescos now if I need any more"!

[amateur51]

Dave wants to pick "damsons", not "damsels", Anna!

Can you be certain tho, ferney?

[amateur51]

Using this one (with a bit less sugar)

http://jamesbonfieldrecipes.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/blackberry-gin/

and Tescos value gin

If its a bit characterless we might throw in a few crushed juniper berries

What a great recipe blog, MrGG - that's been bookmarked, many thanks