Rowan and Crab Apple Jelly

This lovely, simple recipe for rowan and crab apple jelly and the accompanying photographs of making it submitted by Jacqui H, (JacsH on our forums).

Jacqui lives in SW Scotland where rowans or mountain ash as they’re also known are a common native tree. Crab apples can also be found wild or grown as pollinators or decorative trees. This rowan and crab apple jelly makes use of a resource often wasted.

Do remember when taking rowan berries, don’t over do it. Many birds depend on the berries to build up before winter’s scarcity arrives. In country lore, a heavy crop of berries means a cold and snowy winter is coming.

Recipe for rowan and crab apple jelly

Notes:

The quantities given will make around 18 to 20 8oz (227ml) jars which is quite a lot. Just reduce in proportion to make less.

The ratio of crab apples to rowan berries is a guide and can be varied somewhat.

General information on making jellies can be found here: How to Make Jam, Jellies & Marmalade

Ingredients for rowan and crab apple jelly

• 2kg rowan berries – stems, leaves removed. Frozen for a few days – this definitely helps the unpleasant bitterness that they can have. Birds always get them before they’ve been naturally frosted.
• 1.5kg approximately of halved or quartered apple – skins, pips and all. I used a mix of windfalls and crab but anything would do. This recipe will work with cooking or dessert apples as well.
• 2 litres water
• Granulated white sugar (Calculated quantity, see method)

Method for rowan and crab apple jelly

Gently stew the berries and crab apples in the water until a pulp. Leave to cool and then, wearing clean rubber gloves, squeeze and mush up any lumps the pulp. You could use a potato masher if you prefer.

Drain the juice from the pulp using a jelly bag

 

Optionally reheat the pulp and force through a coarse metal sieve into the jelly bag and allow the juice to drip out. This second drip extracts as much of the juice and flavour from the pulp as possible.

Measure the amount of juice and add an equal volume of warmed sugar, stirring until dissolved. Note: for each litre of juice that is approximately 850 grams of granulated sugar

Bring to the boil and boil rapidly until the jelly sets when tested.

Pot into hot sterilized jars and seal.

Once cooled, wipe any drips off the jars before labelling. Store in a cool, dark place.

Our experience is that, so long as the jars are properly sterilised and sealed, jellies will keep for years

About Rowan or Mountain Ash Trees

Rowan trees (also known as ‘Sorbus aucuparia‘), sometimes called mountain ash, are beautiful and versatile trees that have long been admired for both their ornamental value and cultural significance. Here’s a little overview:

Where do Rowan Trees Grow?

Rowan trees are native to the cooler regions of Europe and Asia. Specifically, they are commonly found across:

Northern Europe: They are widespread throughout the British Isles, Scandinavia, and other northern European countries.

Western and Central Europe: They grow in countries like France, Germany, and the Alpine regions.

Asia: Rowan trees are native to parts of Russia and extend into regions of northern and central Asia, especially around mountainous areas.

North Africa: Also found in some areas of the Atlas Mountains,  although they are not very common

They’re highly adaptable and thrive in a wide variety of environments, from forests to mountain slopes and even urban settings. Because of their tolerance for cold climates, they are often found at higher altitudes and northern latitudes. Today, rowan trees are also grown as ornamental trees in many other parts of the world, including North America.

Appearance:

Size: Rowan trees are typically small to medium-sized, growing around 30-40 feet tall.

Leaves: They have pinnate leaves, meaning each leaf is divided into many smaller leaflets, giving the tree a delicate, feathery look.

Flowers: In spring, rowan trees produce clusters of creamy white flowers that are quite showy and attract pollinators like bees.

Berries: By late summer to autumn, the flowers give way to bright, red-orange berries. These berries are a favourite among birds, especially in the winter, and they give the tree a lot of seasonal interest.

Cultural Significance:

Folklore: Rowan trees are steeped in folklore, especially in the British Isles and northern Europe. They were believed to offer protection against evil spirits and bad luck. People often planted them near homes for this reason.

Symbolism: In some cultures, the rowan is considered a tree of wisdom, strength, and courage.

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness: Rowan trees are very hardy and can tolerate cold climates, which is why they’re often found in mountainous regions (hence the name mountain ash).

Soil: They prefer well-drained soil, and although they thrive in fertile soil, they can also tolerate poorer soils, which makes them quite adaptable.

Light: Full sun or partial shade is ideal for rowans, but they are generally pretty flexible.

Propagation

Propagating rowan trees (also known as mountain ash) is a great way to grow these beautiful, bird-friendly trees! There are a couple of methods you can try: growing from seed or taking cuttings. Let’s break it down:

1. Propagating Rowan from Seeds

This method mimics how the trees would naturally reproduce in the wild. Here’s how you do it:

1. Collect the Seeds: Rowan berries (which contain the seeds) ripen in late summer or early autumn. Pick the berries and gently mash them to remove the seeds from the pulp.
2. Clean and Dry the Seeds: Rinse the seeds to remove any remaining fruit. Let them dry for a few days.
3. Stratification: Rowan seeds need a cold period to germinate. Place the cleaned seeds in a damp paper towel or some moist sand inside a plastic bag. Keep the bag in your fridge for about 2-3 months (around 12 weeks).
4. Plant the Seeds: After stratification, plant the seeds in pots filled with seed compost. Bury them about 1 cm deep.
5. Patience: Keep the pots in a bright, sheltered spot. Water them lightly. Germination can take several months, so be patient!

2. Propagating Rowan from Cuttings

I find this method easier than propagating  from seeds. Here’s how to do it:

1. Take the Cuttings: In late autumn or winter, cut a healthy stem about 20 cm (8 inches) long from the current year’s growth. Make sure the cutting has a few leaf buds.
2. Prepare the Cuttings: Trim off any leaves or buds from the bottom half of the cutting.
3. Rooting Hormone (Optional): Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to help encourage root growth.
4. Plant the Cutting: Stick the cutting into a pot filled with a mix of compost and sand for good drainage, about halfway down.
5. Keep it Moist: Keep the soil lightly moist and place the pot in a sheltered area, out of direct sunlight. It may take a few months for roots to develop.

Both methods work, but growing from seeds might take a bit more time, while cuttings can be faster. Once your new rowan trees are strong enough, you can plant them outside in their final position

Benefits for Wildlife:

Rowan trees are fantastic for wildlife gardens! The flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and the berries are an important food source for birds during the winter months. They can also be great for naturalizing in wild, woodland-type gardens.

Uses for Rowan Berries

Though the berries are bitter and not usually eaten raw, they can be used to make jams, jellies, and even wine once cooked down. Rowan berries are traditionally used in herbal medicine too

About Crab Apples

Crab apples (Malus.) are small, ornamental trees that are part of the apple family. Loved for their beautiful spring blossoms and colourful fruit, crab apples provide versatility in the garden. Crab apples are actually the wild ancestors of cultivated apples, and cross-breeding between them and domestic apple varieties has played a big role in the development of modern apples

Appearance:

Size: Crab apples are usually small to medium-sized trees, typically growing between 15 to 25 feet tall, though some varieties can be smaller.

Flowers: In spring, crab apples put on a stunning display of blossoms. The flowers range from white to pink or even deep red, and they are a big draw for pollinators like bees.

Fruit: The trees produce small apples, which can vary in color from bright red, orange, yellow, or even purplish. These little apples are usually less than 2 inches in diameter, which is how they get the name “crab apple” (small apples).

Taste and Uses:

Flavour: Unlike regular apples, crab apples are usually too sour or bitter to eat raw. But don’t let that discourage you—they’re fantastic for making jellies, jams, sauces, and even cider! Their high pectin content makes them great for setting preserves.

Cooking: The fruit, when cooked, mellows out and pairs beautifully with spices like cinnamon, cloves, or ginger. You can also use them to make crab apple wine or vinegar.

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness: Crab apples are very hardy and can withstand a wide range of climates, making them suitable for gardens in various regions.

Soil: They prefer well-drained soil but aren’t too fussy and can grow in most soil types, even slightly acidic or clay-heavy soil.

Light: These trees love full sun, which helps them flower and fruit their best. However, they can tolerate partial shade too.

Benefits for Wildlife:

Crab apples are a fantastic choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators in spring, while the fruit provides food for birds and other wildlife in the fall and winter months. Some species, like blackbirds and thrushes, especially love the fruit.

Ornamental Appeal:

Year-Round Interest: In addition to the spring flowers and fall fruit, crab apples offer lovely foliage that turns golden in autumn. Some varieties even have striking bark or unique branch shapes, making them attractive throughout the year.

Varieties:

There are many different varieties of crab apples. Some are bred specifically for their ornamental value with especially beautiful flowers or fruits, while others are known for being more disease-resistant or for producing larger quantities of fruit. Some popular varieties include:

• ‘Golden Hornet’: Known for its bright yellow fruit.
• ‘Red Sentinel’: Features small red fruits that last into winter.
• ‘Profusion’: Named for its abundance of deep purple-red flowers.