It's rosella time.
Not the parrots, the bushes, which means. . . the jam (or jelly if you want the American translation).
Often, we in the tropics bemoan the fact that we don't have many of the beautiful flowers and fruits that our temperate climate cousins enjoy. I know I do. But sometimes there are little compensations. Rosella jam is one of them. It is actually made from the colourful bract that contains the seed. The seed is used for providing the pectin in the jam making process, but they are then discarded after the jam is made and not left in the jam.
What does it taste like? That is difficult to describe. It has a tang - a bit like raspberry or marmalade, but it has a flavour like nothing else. The perfect balance of sweet and sour really. Maybe a bit like rose hips with zing. No, that doesn't describe it. You'll have to get some and try it.
Another wonderful thing about rosellas is they are good for you. Really good! Research has (apparently) proven that rosella juice can lower blood pressure and has cancer fighting properties. I'm always a bit sceptical of these types of claims until I know who did the research and who paid for it and how it was done. But since rosella jam tastes so great, I'll gobble it down and if it does me some good that is a double bonus.
Another bonus - they self-seed and thrive on neglect.
My rosellas are living proof of that.
Yum! Great looking crop and jam. Our church makes and sells rosella jam as a fundraiser, one I am happy to participate in :) They do tell me it's a lot of working dealing with the fruit. Is that true? Not that I think they would be lying...
ReplyDeleteThey are not lying. I just spent 2 hours removing the seeds from the bracts from 2 X 4 litre buckets of rosellas using a length of sharpened copper pipe. My hands are stiff and sore and the real jam making is not even begun. Mr Sunshine's mum is going to make the jam this time and that will be another hour or two's work.
ReplyDeleteBut it is worth it in the end.
OH! That sounds delicious and looks just lovely.
ReplyDeletei wonder... can an American get that jam? Or is it just for Aussies? I'd love to try it.
Ours are still out on the bush... I should get on to that shouldn't I?
ReplyDeleteDebi, I did stumble on a USA website (Florida I think) selling Roselle (Rosella botanical name) products, but now I can't find it. They are also native to the Caribbean I believe, so you might find them in a specialty store or online.
ReplyDeleteMummy McT, Yes you should. Your grandmother gets back on Saturday and she would like to make some more jam which she always shares around.