Wake up and smell the wild roses!

Dog Rose Petals for a taste of early summer! 3 Summer Rose Petal recipes…

Good Morning fellow food & foraging lovers,

I know that I said I wouldn’t write again until the next newsletter which is in the pipeline for next week but I have been foraging and experimenting with freshly harvested Dog roses this week and wanted to share my love for this wild rose friend of ours. Let’s take a closer look at this enchanting taste of nature. 

Many people will be familiar with rosehips and find rosehip oil gracing the shelves of some of our most popular health food shops today but the beauty of this plant blooms nearly all year round and in the summertime it steals the show with light pink petals of freshness. The flavor is slightly sweet and they make the perfect addition to any summer dessert or even a wild rose cocktail. 

NOTE: when you are foraging for this wild treasure only take the petals. If you rip off the whole flower you won’t leave the seeds for the hips to bloom in wintertime. 

The Dog Rose is also known as the Wild rose and its botanical name is Rosa Canina. It is native to Europe, Northwest Africa and Western Asia. It is very common throughout the UK and Ireland, hence my local park adventures. You will find it climbing alongside hedgerows, woodlands and local parks.

When to find Dog Rose

Now is the perfect time to get your hands on a selection of these wild roses. They fruit until early Autumn but early summer is the best time for picking them.

How to identify Dog Rose

Dog Rose is a deciduous shrub with long scrambling branches and arching, thorny stems. The leaves are alternate and pinnate with 3-9 serrated leaflets. The flowers are light pink, almost white in color and have 5 petals. 

A little background on the Wild Dog Rose

These pretty petals arrive every year around this time in the British and Irish countryside. They add a touch of elegance to the landscape is always overgrown with delicious greens at this stage. In Autumn, they transform into rosehips that capture that are hard to miss and we will once again bow down to the magic of the rose plant

The name "dog rose" has been a subject of debate throughout history. One theory suggests that in ancient times, the roots of the dog rose were used as a remedy for bites from rabid dogs. Another, more plausible explanation points to the name "dag rose," alluding to the dagger-like thorns that adorn the plant. These thorns, with their sharp and curved nature, play a crucial role in the dog rose's growth strategy.

Using its thorns as natural support, the dog rose skillfully navigates its way between other shrubs, effortlessly climbing and intertwining itself amidst the vegetation. This strategic approach allows the dog rose to flourish and thrive in its surroundings, reaching new heights with each passing season.

Medicinal properties of Dog Roses

Beyond its visual appeal, the dog rose also boasts remarkable medicinal properties. The rosehips, which develop after the petals have faded, become a treasure trove of nutrients. In fact, these ruby-red fruits contain a higher concentration of vitamin C than even oranges and blackcurrants. Such valuable nutritional content did not go unnoticed during the tumultuous times of the Second World War when citrus fruits were scarce.

Amidst the shortage, the British government encouraged the gathering of rosehips to create a nourishing syrup, which served as a vital dietary supplement. Internally, rosehips have been traditionally used to combat colds, influenza, and various minor ailments, offering a natural remedy to alleviate symptoms and support overall health.

Culinary uses

Wild roses can be simply infused in water or used in syrups, jams and jelly. It’s also great for herbal teas. The flavor is sweet but not over bearing.

Wild Rose Candies

Ingredients

• 1 Egg White 

• 1 teaspoon Water

• Clean Paintbrush

• Ultra-Fine Sugar

• 2 bunches of Wild Rose Petals

Mix the ingredients together, gently coat both sides of the petals with a clean paintbrush, leave them dry overnight on parchment paper. Add to cakes, buns and treats of all kinds. 

Rose Petal Jam

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 2 cups of Wild rose petals

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon fruit pectin (not essential but a nice addition)

Rose Petal Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 kg Dog Rose petals

• 500g sugar

• 1 litre water

Heat the water and pour over the rose petals. Leave overnight to infuse. After a good 24 hours of infusion add the sugar and bring to the boil, keep it on the boil for 7 minutes, then switch the hob off. Strain the syrup through a muslin bag. This may take a few hours to drain.

Once all the syrup has stopped flowing, put the syrup back in the saucepan, discarding the flowers.

Return to the boil, and boil rapidly for a further 5 minutes. 

Pour through a stainless steel funnel into a sterilised, dry bottle and cap immediately.

Enjoy!

Now that I have gotten Wild rose goodness off my chest I won’t be bothering my foraging friends again until next week for the full newsletter that will include coastal foraging tips for summer and a little bit of history on your Celtic Star Signs. Also, if you are planning any trip to Europe I am happy to help point you towards the foodie delights!