Region initiates collection of highly prized berry: Oolong from Altai
Fresh Harvest: The Aldait Sea Buckthorn Bounty
This year, the sea buckthorn berries have made an early appearance, as reported by scientists from the Lysenko Siberian Horticulture Institute. The Altai region is hence abuzz with city dwellers gathering this vitamin-rich superfood, according to "Vesti-Altai". With six essential groups of vitamins for humans and more vitamin C than tropical citrus fruits, this versatile berry is a must-have for winter and spring health.
While most varieties have already ripened, late-season crops are still maturing. Surprisingly, despite the dry summer, the sea buckthorn harvest has been more than satisfactory, defying initial pessimistic predictions. The season offers a range of delicious varietals to suit everyone's taste preferences. According to Yury Zubarev, a leading researcher at the M.A. Lysenko Siberian Horticulture Institute, "The Altai region boasts the most succulent and sweetest sea buckthorn on the planet."
The Miraculous Sea Buckthorn
Dubbed "the glossy horse" by Ancient Greeks due to its healing properties, sea buckthorn has long been considered one of Earth's most beneficial berries. It's the perfect remedy for:
- Fighting off viruses and colds: With abundant vitamin C, sea buckthorn outperforms even red bell peppers and rose hips.
- Regulating metabolism: Thanks to vitamin K.
- Improving blood composition: Aiding in preventing blood clots.
- Nourishing skin, hair, and nails: For a healthy, radiant appearance.
- Lowering bad cholesterol levels: Encouraging overall heart health.
- Reducing blood sugar levels: For diabetics or those at risk.
- Increasing blood vessel elasticity: Promoting blood flow and circulation.
- Alleviating coughs: Easing discomfort during respiratory issues.
- Assisting with stomach and duodenal ulcers: Providing relief for troublesome gut issues.
Preserving Your Sea Buckthorn Stash
Due to its delicate skin, sea buckthorn berries don't last long. To retain all the nutrients, consider freezing the berries or mixing them with sugar. For mouthwatering pies and tarts, these preserved berries are an delicious treat.
Methods to Preserve Your Sea Buckthorn:
1st Method, Freezing:
- Gently rinse the berries under cool water.
- Remove any excess branches, leaves, or spoiled berries.
- Dry the berries on a paper towel (avoiding the yellow stains caused by sea buckthorn leaves).
- Transfer the berries to a container or plastic bag and freeze for later use.
2nd Method, with Sugar:
- Prepare sea buckthorn berries as in the first method.
- Carefully mix the berries with sugar (1.3 kg of sugar for every 1 kg of berries).
- Spoon the mixture into sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator.
3rd Method, Purée:
- Prepare the sea buckthorn berries and purée them using a pestle or blender.
- Transfer the mixture to sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator.
4th Method, Jam:
- Place rinsed and dried berries in hot syrup and allow them to soak for 3 hours.
- Remove the berries, bring the syrup to a boil, and return the berries, cooking until almost translucent.
- Seal the jam in sterilized jars. For every 1 kg of berries, you'll need 1.5 kg of sugar and 500 ml of water.
A Cup of Sea Buckthorn Tea
To minimize the irritating effects on the stomach lining, it's recommended to brew sea buckthorn tea. However, only drink it once per day and use no more than 100-150 grams of berries per serving.
For optimal tea-making consider.
- Avoid contact with aluminum or iron utensils: Opt for enamel, glass, or ceramic instead.
- Let the water cool slightly first: Before pouring it over the berries.
- Add honey instead of sugar: Allow the tea to cool to 40°C before adding the sweetener.
- Explore different flavors: Mix your tea with ginger, cinnamon, or mint for an unique twist.
## Lemon Alternatives: Fortunately, There's More to Boost Your Immunity
Collectively, eco-friendly harvesting practices like wild harvesting and community cultivation highlight sea buckthorn's importance in both ecological restoration and human health.
- Due to its wealth of nutrients, sea buckthorn is a perfect addition to a healthy-cooking lifestyle, offering a range of benefits for food-and-drink that caters to the health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and lifestyle mindset.
- By consuming sea buckthorn, one can boost their immunity by fighting off viruses and colds, regulating metabolism, improving blood composition, nourishing skin, hair, and nails, lowering bad cholesterol levels, reducing blood sugar levels, increasing blood vessel elasticity, alleviating coughs, and assisting with stomach and duodenal ulcers.
- To preserve the nutrient-rich sea buckthorn, freezing the berries retains most of their properties, while mixing them with sugar produces a sweet treat for cooking purposes, such as pies and tarts.
- Constant care is required during the preservation process, with methods including freezing, mixing with sugar, puréeing, and manufacturing jam, all providing methods to enjoy sea buckthorn throughout the year.
- To brew sea buckthorn tea that's easier on the stomach, avoid aluminum or iron utensils, let the water cool slightly before pouring, use honey as a sweetener, and experiment with different flavors like ginger, cinnamon, or mint.
- With eco-friendly harvesting practices such as wild harvesting and community cultivation, sea buckthorn serves as a vital component in promoting ecological restoration while enhancing human health, expanding the horizons of immunity-boosting options beyond the traditional lemon.
