Rosehips – the fruit of the rose which is left behind after its blossoms naturally fall away – is one of the richest plant sources of vitamin C on the planet. A close relative of the apple, rosehips can be used for many of the same wonderful (and often delicious) uses as its oh-so popular cousin. Read on to learn how to harvest rosehips and then how to make rosehip pie and spiced rosehip cake, rosehip-infused vinegar, as well as jams, jellies, drinks, and more!
Tips for Harvesting Rosehips
Rosehips are sweetest when harvested in the late fall once the fruit has darkened into a deep red or bright redish-orange color and is slightly soft to the touch. Hips harvested before they have softened or changed color will be very tart.
If you plan to use your rosehips for recipes which require removal of the seeds and hairs, choose larger rosehips to harvest as these will be easier to clean and will yield more fruit.
Watch your rosehips carefully as they mature. If left on the plant too long, fruits will become too soft and begin to shrivel which indicates that they are no longer useable. Also, mature rosehips tend to attract wildlife like birds and deer. You’ll want to be sure to harvest your hips before the local fauna gobbles them up!
Can’t find rosehips in your local area? You can buy whole organic rosehips from Starwest Botanicals here on Amazon.
1. Rosehip Herbal Tea
Mother earth living brings us a mild, tangy and fruity tea using either fresh or dried rosehips. Perfect for warming up on a cool day!
Ingredients: rosehips, Stevia powder, organic mint leaves (optional)
Equipment: kettle and tea cup
2. Rosehip Jelly
This rosehip jelly by Elise on simplyrecipes is a tasty and healthy compliment for biscuits, muffins, and other baked treats!
Ingredients: rosehips, lemon juice, pectin, butter, sugar
Equipment: 8 oz canning jars
3. Rosehip & Apple Jam
Try this simply and delicious rosehip and apple jam on toast, english muffins, and biscuits.
Ingredients: rosehips, apples, raw organic honey, lemon juice
Equipment: sieve, 8 oz canning jars
4. Rosehip Syrup
This simple syrup made from fresh rose hips can be added to just about anything for a splash of flavor and color!
Ingredients: rosehips, natural unbleached sugar
Equipment: blender or food processor, strainer bag, sterilized glass jars for storage
5. Spiced Rosehip Cake
Whip up this delicious and nutritious spiced rosehip cake by Delightful Delicacies as a wintertime treat for yourself or to share with family and friends.
Ingredients: rosehips, natural unbleached sugar, spelt flour, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla extract, organic extra virgin olive oil, baking soda, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest (optional)
Equipment: 9” cake pan, mixing bowls, parchment paper, food processor, cheesecloth, candy thermometer (optional)
6. Rosehip Pie
Instead of apple pie, try baking with rosehips instead. This rosehip crumble pie recipe from the Alaska Wild Berry Guide and Cookbook is sure to become a new family favorite!
Ingredients: rosehips, milk, flour, baking powder, salt, shortening, eggs, brown sugar, pecans (optional)
Equipment: 9” pie tin, rolling pin, non-stick pastry mat
7. Rosehip Muffins
Rosehips are great for making tasty and nutritious muffins! Check out this recipe by bread + buttercups.
Ingredients: rosehips, oat bran, millet flour, whole wheat flour, sweet rice flour, lemon zest, unsalted butter, sugar, Greek yogurt, baking soda, salt, baking powder, eggs
Equipment: electric or stand mixer, non-stick muffin tin, muffin cups (optional)
8. Nyponsoppa (Rosehip Soup)
Nyponsoppa, a traditional Swedish soup made with rosehips is a delectable treat which is also fairly easy to prepare. Swedishfood.com offers an excellent step-by-step recipe for making homemade nyponsoppa.
Ingredients: rosehips, super fine caster sugar, cornstarch
Equipment: food processor, cheesecloth
9. Rosehip-Infused Vinegar
This super-simple rosehip-infused vinegar is excellent for dressing salads or adding a tangy flavor to veggies.
Ingredients: rosehips, apple cider vinegar
Equipment: cheesecloth, resealable glass jars
10. Rosehip Wine
For the truly adventurous, this instructable gives a detailed recipe for turning rosehips into wine.
Ingredients: rosehips, yeast, sugar, pectic enzyme, lemon juice, lactic acid
Equipment: wine fermenter, airlock (waterlock), emptied and sterilized wine bottles & corks, hydrometer, siphoning tube, food processor, acid testing kit, glass measuring cup, heat belt (optional)
Recommended Reading: 8 Delicious Homemade Country Wine Recipes
11. Fermented Rosehip Soda
If you love soda but want to avoid the added sugars and hidden toxic ingredients found in most commercial brands, instead give this homemade fermented rosehip soda a try.
Ingredients: rosehips, raw organic honey, live culture (sauerkraut juice or whey strained from yogurt)
Equipment: wine fermenter, airlock, non-metal funnel, resealable air-tight bottles
Recommended Reading: 5 Fermented Foods To Improve Gut Health
12. Rosehip Marmalade
Use fresh rosehips to cook up some delicious homemade marmalade using this recipe from Fabulous Foods.
Ingredients: rosehips, brown sugar
Equipment: 8 oz canning jars
13. Rosehip Fruit Leather
Great for hiking and camping trips, rosehip fruit leather is easy to prepare and packs an incredible punch of vitamins and nutrients to keep you feeling energized when you need it most. Rosehip fruit leather also makes a sweet and healthy treat for school lunches and mid-day snacks.
Ingredients: rosehips, raw organic honey or sugar
Equipment: silicone baking mats, cheesecloth
14. Rosehip Dog Treats
Pets can benefit from the vitamins and minerals in rosehips, too. Bake up a batch of Fido Bakery’s homemade healthy dog biscuits for your furry four-legged companion.
Ingredients: rosehips, whole oat or brown rice flour, plain yogurt, flaxseed meal, dried alfalfa, parsley, raw organic honey or blackstrap molasses
Equipment: cookie cutters, rolling pin, non-stick baking sheet
15. Skin Revitalizing Rosehip Oil
This revitalizing rosehip oil offers a healthy dose of vitamin C and penetrating moisture which will help to fade fine lines, heal blemishes and leave skin feeling baby smooth.
Ingredients: rosehips, jojoba oil, wheatgerm oil, organic extra virgin olive oil
Equipment: double boiler, cheesecloth, small dark-colored bottles for storage
16. Rosehip Face Mask
For even deeper conditioning plus some all-natural alpha hydroxy exfoliating action, try out this quick and easy rosehip face mask recipe by mother earth living.
Ingredients: rosehips, plain yogurt
Equipment: food processor
Continue Reading: Rosehip Seed Oil: 9 Ways To Use This Miracle Beauty Oil