St. John’s Wort.
St. John’s Wort is probably found several places on Fur as it thrives on dry sandy soil in gravel pits, on road slopes, and similar places. The place where I so far have come across it is on walks along the beach at the cove Færker Vig among bushes and plants outside the moler factory.
How can you recognise St. John’s Wort:
The stem is double edged, and the herb has small dots on its leaves. These are clearly seen when held up to the light. The yellow flowers have pointed sepals and sit in cymes crowded at the tips of the branches. It is the unopened flower buds that are used. Press carefully on the flower bud and see the beautiful red “blood drop” which appears. This gives the schnapps a magnificent red colour.
Recipe:
For a whole bottle of vodka, you will use a little more than a little match box of flower buds, which are to sit for at least two weeks. Then the transparent essence is run through a sieve. It must be diluted to be enjoyed. The schnapps has a beautiful ruby colour, and it has its own special slightly bitter and spicy flavour. It improves with ageing. Collect, if possible, extra match boxes with flower buds as they can be frozen without losing their flavour and properties.
And as to properties: St John’s Wort is nature’s “happy pill” and is available as such in health food shops. But why buy expensive pills or drops when the schnapps has the same properties, and the alcohol percent is not to be overlooked!
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