Under rips sloes

saxonia · #1 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 03:56 PM

Ive been a bit too anxious again and picked what looked visually as ripe berries but they have turned out to be quite hard and not quite ripe
As I was in situ I carried on and picked about 400g hoping that someone on this forum would tell me that there is a way to ripen them once off the bush

I was thinking of putting them in a bag with a banana to set them off ? Any opinions would be appriciated

PS , I did also notice a lot of shrivelled berries on the same bushes that had gone past it ?

Thx

Mike

Dorts · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 04:32 PM

The old folk used to tell me that you should wait until the first frost before you pick Sloes, it's suposed to release the sugars in them. Also it doesn't help if you have had a lot of dry weather.
The banana trick is worth a try and you could always look for some more in a week or so.

I can remember picking Sloes in November and they were almost edible. They sometimes stay on the bush for many months.
What were you planning to use them for?
Dorts.

JoulesH · #3 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 04:36 PM

As above, try the banana, but I wouldn't touch our sloes for another couple of months. There are plenty around this year, so a handy excuse for some time out, picking again!

artdemole · #4 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 04:37 PM

Prick and freezeing sloes will ripen them.

saxonia · #5 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 04:45 PM

Thx all .. Dorts , I'm planning sloe gin if you hadn't guessed !!
I think I'll experiment with bagging with a banana followed by pricking and freezing as an experiment
At least I'll know there's still plenty round if it goes wrong !

Mike

Ladywell · #6 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 05:11 PM

Pricking and freezing works - I have done that - my OH thought the resulting sloe gin was brill!!

saxonia · #7 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 05:21 PM

You think pricking and freezing even under ripe berries will work ??

Hobjob · #8 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 08:39 PM

For sloe gin it doesn't seem to matter if they are not that ripe - just a bit more sugar, which even with 'ripe' berries one has to add in copious amounts anway!

I was told that if you freeze the sloes first then they don't need to be pricked as they split of their accord!

Not really experimented though.