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Synonyms: midland hawthorn, mayflower / common hawthorn, mayblossom, quickthorn, whitethorn
botanical name: Crataegus laevigata / Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn is a member of the rose family and belongs to the wild fruits. It is commonly found as an ornamental shrub or a hedge.
Availability
The berries are ripe from September to October. They cannot be bought in shops but are a typical fruit to be picked for one's own use.
Appearance, taste, characteristics
Hawthorn berries are small, red and ball-shaped. They taste mealy, indistinctive and somewhat bitter.
Harmful substances
The same holds for hawthorn berries as for all wild fruits: Do not collect them in the vicinity of heavily frequented roads, as they are especially exposed there to grime and exhaust gases.
Form of consumption, use, processing, practical tips for preparation
These berries are not suitable for eating raw. However, they are good for making compote, jam, jelly or juice. Their high pectin content makes them gel particularly well, and they can be combined with fruits that do not have this characteristic. A sauce of hawthorn fruits goes well with game dishes.
Dried hawthorn leaves produce a tasty tea.
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