This deliciously fragrant syrup is a traditional Georgian and Siberian treat and is apparently an excellent remedy for a number of ailments. Find out more about the benefits of pine here.

You will need:

• Green Pine Cones – ensure the tree you are gathering cones from is indeed a pine tree and an edible variety!
• Golden Granulated Sugar
• A Sterilised Jar

Method:

Pour a little sugar into your jar and then place a layer of cones on it. Cover with more sugar and repeat the layers until the jar is full or you run out of ingredients.

Leave for three weeks.

The moisture in the cones combines with sugar to form a syrupy mixture.

Sieve this “honey” into a dry glass jar and refrigerate.

Use like you would honey.

Notes – My shot glass sample hadn’t been sieved and I may warm up the resulting liquor to combine more of the settled sugar into the final syrup/honey.

There is an alternative method in Kevin West’s book Saving the Season available here:

A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving: A Cook’s Guide to Home Canning, Pickling, and Preserving