Hawthorn Fruit Syrup (Shan Zha Guo Jiang)

Why people make this syrup

Fresh hawthorn berries appear in the autumn — small, deep red, and eye-catching. Hawthorn has one of the longest track records in Chinese food therapy for helping the body process rich, fatty food and easing the sluggish, heavy feeling that follows a big meal. Rather than eating the fresh berries daily (which can be quite sour and hard on the stomach in large amounts), this syrup approach lets you cook down a large batch, store it in the fridge, and simply stir a spoonful into warm water whenever you need it. It keeps for a good while and is convenient enough to actually use.

Method

1. Wash the hawthorn berries thoroughly. If using fresh berries, cut them open to check for insects and remove the seeds if preferred.
2. Place the berries in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 2 hours, until the liquid reduces to about 600 ml.
4. Strain through a fine sieve or cloth, pressing to extract all the liquid. Discard the pulp.
5. Allow the liquid to cool slightly (not hot), then stir in honey — approximately one-third the volume of the liquid. Mix well.
6. Transfer to a clean glass jar and refrigerate.
7. To use: stir 1 tablespoon into a cup of warm water and drink. Do not use boiling water, which can damage the honey.

Nourilo’s Tips

• This syrup can be stored in the fridge for a reasonable period. Make a batch when fresh hawthorn is in season (typically autumn) and use throughout the year.
• Fresh hawthorn has a short season. When you cannot find fresh berries, dried hawthorn slices work equally well — use half the weight (about 225 g / half 600 g) and follow the same method. Fresh hawthorn berries are available at Asian grocers or online when in season; dried slices are available year-round at Chinese herb shops or Asian food stores.
• The syrup is also associated with helping postpartum abdominal cramping and dysmenorrhoea — take 1 tablespoon diluted in warm water.
• For children with food stagnation (reduced appetite, distended tummy, general crankiness after eating), a diluted version — half a teaspoon in warm water — can be helpful. Keep portions small for young children.