Fermented Pineapple Weed Cordial

A fragrant wild cordial capturing pineapple weed’s bright, tropical aroma. Naturally fermented with fresh lime, it develops a gently tart flavour and delicate sparkle beautiful lengthened with chilled sparkling water or used to add a wild botanical note to cocktails.

Zingy, zesty and the taste of the Caribbean in your locality, pure magic

be Sure to properly identify foraged plants… see my guide in my store for more info

Trying is believing, the carribean lies on your doorstep

As a wild relative of chamomile, pineapple weed is often given similar correspondences in contemporary folk practice. Its warm fragrance, resilient nature and ability to flourish on disturbed ground make it a beautiful symbol of:

Resilience and thriving in unlikely places

Calm, rest and emotional gentleness

Joy, warmth and solar energy

Cleansing and energetic renewal

Good fortune, abundance and welcoming energy

Reconnection with the wild and the everyday landscape

Only harvest a plant when you are completely certain of its identity. Use several characteristics not scent alone.

Pineapple weed can be confused with other finely leaved members of the daisy family. Mayweed chamomile and dogfennel are noted lookalikes, although they do not produce the same pineapple fragrance when crushed.

Pick from clean, unsprayed ground well away from roads, industrial areas, dog-walking routes and places that may have been treated with herbicides or pesticides

fermented foods, pineapple weed, healthy drinks, healthy recipes, mocktails, zero alcohol, foraging, foraged foods, live with the land

Author: Suze Morrison

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Fermented Pineapple Weeds Cordial

Prep time: 20 MinTotal time: 20 Min

A fragrant wild cordial capturing pineapple weed’s bright, tropical aroma. Naturally fermented with fresh lime, it develops a gently tart flavour and delicate sparkle beautiful lengthened with chilled sparkling water or used to add a wild botanical note to cocktails.

Ingredients

• 150g fresh pineapple weed
• 1.4 litres water
• 200g granulated sugar
• 50ml freshly squeezed lime juice

Instructions

1. Put the water and sugar into a large saucepan.
2. Warm gently, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
3. Bring briefly to a simmer, then remove from the heat.
4. Stir in the fresh lime juice and leave the syrup to cool completely. It must be at room temperature before the pineapple weed is added, as heat will destroy the wild microorganisms needed for fermentation.
5. Carefully inspect the pineapple weed, removing roots, damaged pieces, insects and any other plant material. Rinse lightly in clean, cold water and drain well.
6. Add the cooled syrup and pineapple weed to a blender. Blend in batches until the plant is finely chopped and its aromatic oils have been released.
7. Pour the mixture into a thoroughly cleaned and sanitised fermentation jar, leaving at least 5cm of space at the top.
8. Cover the jar loosely with a lid. If using a standard lid, keep it slightly loosened so that carbon dioxide can escape do not tightly seal an actively fermenting glass jar.
9. Leave in a cool, dark place, ideally at approximately 18–21°C, for up to seven days.
10. Check the cordial daily. You should begin to see small bubbles and notice a pleasantly fruity, gently sour aroma.
11. Discard the entire batch without tasting if you see fuzzy mould, unusual coloured growth, ropiness or slime, or detect a rotten or putrid smell.
12. Strain the cordial through a fine sieve lined with muslin, pressing gently to extract the liquid.
13. Transfer to clean, sterilised bottles specifically designed to withstand fermentation pressure. Leave 3–4cm of headspace.
14. Leave the bottles at room temperature for up to three days to develop sparkle.
15. Release the accumulated gas carefully a couple of times.
16. Dilute to taste with plenty of chilled sparkling water and ice. Start with approximately one part cordial to four parts sparkling water.
17. The cordial can also be used in cocktails.
18. As a wild relative of chamomile, pineapple weed is often given similar correspondences in contemporary folk practice. Its warm fragrance, resilient nature and ability to flourish on disturbed ground make it a beautiful symbol of:
19. Resilience and thriving in unlikely places
20. Calm, rest and emotional gentleness
21. Joy, warmth and solar energy
22. Cleansing and energetic renewal
23. Good fortune, abundance and welcoming energy
24. Reconnection with the wild and the everyday landscape
25. Only harvest a plant when you are completely certain of its identity. Use several characteristics not scent alone.
26. Pineapple weed can be confused with other finely leaved members of the daisy family. Mayweed chamomile and dogfennel are noted lookalikes, although they do not produce the same pineapple fragrance when crushed.
27. Pick from clean, unsprayed ground well away from roads, industrial areas, dog-walking routes and places that may have been treated with herbicides or pesticides.

https://gourmetglow.co.uk/recipes/pineapple-weed-cordial

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