Check out our guide to sloe berries, including where to buy them and plenty of recipe inspiration, then read about what are goji berries, edible flowers and preserved lemons.

What are sloe berries?

These blue-black berries are bitter when eaten raw but with a little sugar and time, their tartness is transformed. They’re often used to infuse gin but also make excellent jellies, sauces and fruit cheese that go beautifully with game or strong cheeses such as stilton.

When are sloe berries in season?

Sloe berries (blackthorn) can be picked from English hedgerows from October to December, or you can buy them dried online.

Where to buy sloe berries

VinClass Dried Sloes, £10.95/500g, Amazon
Dried sloe berries can be used as an alternative to fresh when making sloe gin when fresh are not in season, or for garnishing cocktails.

Fresh sloe berries, £9.99/450g, sloeberries.com
Fresh sloe berries can be preordered ahead of the summer season, or bought during the season once fresh berries are available.

Sloe berry recipes

Sloe gin

Make the most of sloe season with this classic and easy-to-make liqueur. Enjoy this fruity alcoholic drink over the festive season or give it away as a gift.

What are sloe berries?

When are sloe berries in season?

Where to buy sloe berries

Sloe berry recipes

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