MAGIC MOUNTAIN ASH BERRIES

Family: Rosaceae

Other common names: rowan, quickbeam, keirn, witch wiggin tree.

Mountain ash is a small deciduous tree or shrub in the genus Sorbus. The plant is widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Himalayas and the mountains of western China.  It can grow up to 4-12 m in height. The leaves are alternately arranged, pinnate, with about 5-8 pairs of serrated leaflets and one terminal leaflet at the end. The white flowers are produced in dense corymbs. They are about 5-10 mm in diameter and usually have 5 petals.  The fruit is a berry-like pome that typically contains 8 seeds. The red, juicy berries are collected in large bunches and are a popular food for many birds.

Parts used: leaves, bark, berries.

Chemical Composition of Mountain Ash Berries

• Vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, C, PP, tocopherol, β-carotene
• Sorbic acid
• Anthocyanins
• Tannins
• Polyphenolic compounds
• Quercetin and rutin
• Minerals (copper, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron)
• Dietary fiber

Mountain Ash Interesting Facts

• Irish and Welsh people used to plant mountain ash trees near their houses and churches as they believed that these trees had the ability to protect against witches and evil spirits.
• Mountain ash trees start to produce berries only 15 years after being planted.
• The berries are a juicy delicacy for such birds as thrushes, waxwings, blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares. The birds play a crucial role in seed dispersal.
• Mountain ash berries are rich in vitamin C and have a sour taste. They are often utilized in the form of jam, jellies or juice. They can also be used as a flavoring for country wine, liqueur and cordial.
• The plant can live up to 100 years in the wild.
• Our ancestors used the wood of the tree to stir milk in order to prevent it from curdling and to make divining rods.
• The name mountain ash appeared due to the fact that the leaves of the plant are similar to those of ash and that the plant grows well at high altitudes.

Mountain Ash Juice Recipe

What you need:

• 1 kg of mountain ash berries
•  200-250 g of sugar
•  a glass of boiled water

Place the berries in a refrigerator for 72 hours in order to get rid of bitterness. After that, take the berries and blend them in a mincing machine or blender. Add a glass of boiled water into the puree, mix it thoroughly and then strain it. Add the sugar to the strained juice (the amount of sugar can be increased according to your taste), bring the mixture to a boil and then pour it into the prepared containers.

Mountain Ash Tea Recipe

Another good way to preserve the beneficial properties of mountain ash berries  is to prepare healthy tea.

What you need:

• 10 g of dried mountain ash berries
• 200 ml of boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the dried berries and infuse the mixture for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. The beneficial drink is ready!