Red Rosehips True vitamin C kicks from nature

The power of nature: Vitamin C kick through the rosehip
"A little man stands in the forest ..." - in this well-known children's song, the purple rosehip is sung about. Now the fine-sour fruits are ripe and not only provide color accents in nature but also on the plate. The Mark is often used for cakes and desserts, but also for fruity sauces for meat and game. A rosehip chutney with figs and quince is a highlight in the autumn kitchen. In the jam and in the jelly, the rosehip blends with apples and oranges, but also spices such as cloves, ginger and allspice.

A delicious tea with rosehip strengthens the defense and promotes the self-healing powers of the body. (Image: laboko / fotolia.com)

Already the Benedictine Hildegard von Bingen knew that a rosehip tea strengthens the immune system and can prevent colds. For this purpose, cut small, dried rosehip peels are simmered with little water for ten minutes and strained. If you like, you can sweeten the tea with a little honey. The wild fruit is a valuable vitamin donor and contains more vitamin C than lemon and sea buckthorn. Depending on the type of rose and the degree of ripeness, the vitamin C content can be between 400 and 5,000 mg per 100 g. In addition, rosehips are rich in B vitamins, provitamin A and minerals such as iron, magnesium and sodium. Also pectin, tannins, essential oils and the red plant dye lycopene are included. Lycopene is one of the antioxidants that protect the body from harmful free radicals.

The rosehip, also called Hiffe, is the fruit of various wild rose species such as potato rose (Rosa rugosa) and dog rose (Rosa canina). They are preferred to find in hedges at the edges of roads and forests and love sunny and nutrient-rich. Until far into November, the rosehip can be collected in nature. The fruits are ripe if they can be picked easily and give the bowl on light finger pressure. The workmanship is a bit tedious, but it's worth it. Stem, flower bud and the seeds (nutlets) inside the fruit capsule with their hairs must be removed. It is best to wear gloves because the hairs irritate the skin and mucous membranes. Not for nothing is the inside of the rosehip in children also known as "itching powder". If you want to avoid this, choose the fast version: cook the fruits in a little water for a few minutes and then brush the musée through a fine strainer. Heike Kreutz, bzfe