Wild Violet Jelly + Nutritional Benefits
Wild Violet Jelly is one thing we always as kids, growing up, that I’d love to pass on to you! I was always really interested in the "magical color change". After collecting violets in a jar, you pour boiling water onto them. Then let the jar sit overnight to infuse and create a lovely sapphire blue "tea". When you strain out the flowers and add lemon juice, the dark blue tea turns purple. WOW!
Violet Jelly
- 1 pint violet flowers (2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cups sugar
- 3 oz. liquid pectin
- Collect a mason jar pint full of violet flowers. Pour boiling water into the jar of flowers. Gently press the violets. Cover the jar for 24 hours. By the next day, the violet “tea” will be sapphire blue.
- The next day, strain your violets through a colander lined with a coffee filter. You will need 2 cups of liquid, so you may need to add a little more water to the violet tea.
- Mix the tea and lemon juice in a large pot. At this point, you will see the dark blue tea turn purple. Magic! Bring the liquid to a boil and continue to boil for one minute. Add sugar and pectin, then bring to a hard boil one more minute. Turn the heat off and skim the top of the jelly if needed (there may be a bubbly film).
- Pour into sterilized mason jar. Let cool and store in the fridge.
Note: You could process the jars in a water bath to make them shelf stable. This recipe made about 2 1/2 mason jars of jelly for us.
The resulting jelly is very sweet with a subtle floral taste. And the color is beautiful! Who knew flowers could taste so good? If you have an abundance of these beautiful purple flowers in your yard, go pick them now! Violets are unlike dandelions, they won't last all season in your yard. Wild violets are typically found May through June in most areas (zones 3 through 9).
Nutritional Benefits of Wild Violets:
So why eat violets? Well, they have fantastic health benefits much like dandelions. According to The Herbal Academy, violets have been used to treat:
- coughing and bronchitis
- colds and sore throats
- cystitis
- rheumatic complaints, reduce inflammation
- eczema
- psoriasis
- acne
- cradle cap for babies
- and even cancer!
Violets have ample Vitamin C and A as well as other vitamins and minerals. Violet leaves are also sold as a supplement.
Harvesting Wild Violets:
There are 40-50 violet species in the US according to The Herbal Academy. Here's another handy website to help identify violet species. The medicinal properties of most wild violet species are interchangeable. They are NOT to be confused with the African Violet houseplant which will make you sick if eaten. Wild violets are typically found May through June in most areas (zones 3 through 9). Much like foraging for other edibles, be sure to harvest in locations free of pesticides. Avoid flowers in yards where pets may go to the bathroom as well. Harvest flowers and use fresh soon after picking or dry for later use.
How will you be consuming your jelly? We would love to see how yours turns out. Feel free to shoot us a message or comment.
XOXO
Sophia + Caleb
Sweet Maple Living
Sophia + Caleb
Sweet Maple Living
