downsview 448 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Going to try my hand at making some sloe gin anybody picked any sloes yet Quote Link to post Share on other sites
antg 1,767 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 a tad early to pic sloes. first frost is when i was told to pic them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I've picked sloes in sept before. If they're ripe and ready, get them before someone else does! They should be deep blue with a white bloom and come off the stalk easily. I pick them as they're ready, and freeze them in bags. Then, when I have enough, I give them a couple of gentle whacks with a rolling pin (don't want to split the kernels) and off we go. Regarding the 'first frost' thing, I think it must depend on where you live. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hydropotesinermis 724 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 What squeamish says. Put them in the freezer. Does the same job as the first frost. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
antg 1,767 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I've picked sloes in sept before. If they're ripe and ready, get them before someone else does! They should be deep blue with a white bloom and come off the stalk easily. I pick them as they're ready, and freeze them in bags. Then, when I have enough, I give them a couple of gentle whacks with a rolling pin (don't want to split the kernels) and off we go. Regarding the 'first frost' thing, I think it must depend on where you live. yes that makes sense. up north things are probably a month behind the south id say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,591 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 Picked some other week,forgot they are in freezer ,better get some gin.lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jok 3,244 Posted September 8, 2016 Report Share Posted September 8, 2016 I know for a fact that if damsons aren't ripe then sloes defo ain't. This thing about picking early and putting in the freezer is quite frankly a load of bollocks. If the fruit isn't ripe you shouldn't use it. Simple. Wait till it's ready and you will reap the rewards. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Greyman 28,417 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I know for a fact that if damsons aren't ripe then sloes defo ain't. This thing about picking early and putting in the freezer is quite frankly a load of bollocks. If the fruit isn't ripe you shouldn't use it. Simple. Wait till it's ready and you will reap the rewards.. I thought that putting them in the freezer was just to create the first frost effect, not so you can pick before there ripe, I sometimes don't see any frost, so I could not wait for the first one, I still have a few bags left from last year, I will start picking at the end of the month same with my rose hips, around me the signs are for an early autumn, and lots of the fruits are early as were mushrooms this year 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hydropotesinermis 724 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I know for a fact that if damsons aren't ripe then sloes defo ain't. This thing about picking early and putting in the freezer is quite frankly a load of bollocks. If the fruit isn't ripe you shouldn't use it. Simple. Wait till it's ready and you will reap the rewards.. I thought that putting them in the freezer was just to create the first frost effect, not so you can pick before there ripe, I sometimes don't see any frost, so I could not wait for the first one, I still have a few bags left from last year, I will start picking at the end of the month same with my rose hips, around me the signs are for an early autumn, and lots of the fruits are early as were mushrooms this year Maybe we got some crossed wires. You are right. Freezing them doesn't ripen them it just simulates the first frost. If they ain't ripe they ain't ripe. The frost has the effect of bursting cell walls within the fruit, it aids in the liquids and sugars and magic shit that is inside the fruit leeching out into the alcohol. The Sloes around here are most definitely ripe now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
air gun ant 1,666 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 I know for a fact that if damsons aren't ripe then sloes defo ain't. This thing about picking early and putting in the freezer is quite frankly a load of bollocks. If the fruit isn't ripe you shouldn't use it. Simple. Wait till it's ready and you will reap the rewards.. I thought that putting them in the freezer was just to create the first frost effect, not so you can pick before there ripe, I sometimes don't see any frost, so I could not wait for the first one, I still have a few bags left from last year, I will start picking at the end of the month same with my rose hips, around me the signs are for an early autumn, and lots of the fruits are early as were mushrooms this year Maybe we got some crossed wires. You are right. Freezing them doesn't ripen them it just simulates the first frost. If they ain't ripe they ain't ripe. The frost has the effect of bursting cell walls within the fruit, it aids in the liquids and sugars and magic shit that is inside the fruit leeching out into the alcohol. The Sloes around here are most definitely ripe now. I havnt been out looking yet, but it was around this time last year that I started? and im made some bloody good stuff! only got one bottle left tho lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
air gun ant 1,666 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 little bit later lol October http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/349071-sloe-haul/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TOMO 26,120 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 Ive made lovely sloe gin in early sept,,,so long as there ripe,,,,and I don't bother freezing them either,,,or pricking them with a pin,,, Where you take the stalk off creates a hole anyway,,,fill the bottle up with a 1/3 rd to half with sloes,,,add some sugar,,,top up with gin,,,vodka ect,,,,give it a gentle shake once a week,,,enjoy at crimbo,,,simples 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mushroom 12,904 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) I've got me a couple of kilos of them from up the mountains in the freezer. Keep meaning to get the gin on ? Edited September 9, 2016 by mushroom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mushroom 12,904 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) I've got me a couple of kilos of them from up the mountains in the freezer. Keep meaning to get the gin onRemember the home made sloe gin/vodka and peach schnapps and whisky we took to harewood house game fair camping haha that was the official nail in coffin for me and booze hahaThat peach schapps was fuuckin evil ??? I remember a funny weed type smell in the beer tent that night too Edited September 9, 2016 by mushroom 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mushroom 12,904 Posted September 9, 2016 Report Share Posted September 9, 2016 ??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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