28 Comments

I love the idea of fermenting blackberries - I've never done it and I've no ides why...probably because you are less dim than I. Thank you, I shall get on with it

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Happy fermenting…

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I’ll try the ferment with some mulberries. Or maybe some of our native raspberries, which are not really like regular raspberries.

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The process works either pretty much everything so you should be fine.

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Adored this

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Thank you. I’m happy it resonated with you.

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Perfect timing, I’ve just got some more crab apples today . Will the jelly bag get rid of the irritating hairs in the rosehips William?

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Yes exactly. I sometimes clean them all out but life is too short. A good jelly bag will take away all of the rubbish.

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Wizardry, as always. V intrigued by those fermented berries...

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Yes they are quite interesting. They lose their sweetness as they turn into a pickle. They are very good used in moderation with game, cold meats and raw fish etc.

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I shall now revisit the 2018 jar of 'failed' home-made blackberry jam at the back of the cupboard...

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Most likely excellent with ham.

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The smoke...the jelly...and especially the blackberries are treasures. I am confident I will ferment some berries soon, as I have not yet tried this, and I'm a ridiculous fan of lacto-fermentation... Thanks for the beautiful prose and recipe ideas!

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Thank you for reading. Do try, they’re unusual, but a good addition when you need a pickle.

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Brilliant. Such humble thoughtful description, feel as though walking beside you, scratchy thickets brushing pantlegs. Welcome Autumn. Thank you, William. So glad you're alive, fermenting.

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Which miserable ungrateful wretches have opined that you do not give of your recipes ? Poltroons to a man I suspect

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Beautifully written, actually I was painting your words in my mind. That rarely happens. It would be a dream of mine to taste some of your recipes as none of them could I make. No wood burner, no hedge groves, no rose hips and definitely no cider making equipment. I will just have to savour what you write. ✍️

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Love the label advice, I think we may be soul friends.

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I know this is a blazingly unoriginal observation, but I need to make it on Day 386 of the Israeli Front of World War III. Can you imagine a world in which everyone obsessed over the quality of food and time with loved ones that comes with it, instead of sectarian hatreds and never-ending violence? I would rather spend my time doing what Will does than what I do, even though it's required and I'm committed to doing my bit to defend Western Civilization. I'd still rather be cold-smoking salt and making jellies and vinegars in between hunting jaunts.

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Oh I missed this one! I was looking for the fig leaf salt process and came across this delightful writing - I am going to be fermenting again soon. Your work is so wild - I love it. Thank you so much, Will.

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Beautiful writing, as always. Reading your posts makes me feel so relaxed and nostalgic. I loved the little video you shared too! I have never tried to ferment berries... usually I turn them all into syrups and jams. Tucking this idea away for next season.

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Blackberries are fermenting, thank you!

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Oh that I could just sit, chin resting in hands, and watch you all day, stirring pots, smoking salt and butter, fermenting fruits and making pots of well deserved tea throughout the day! Such a blissful read - thank you Will.

With kindest regards.

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I also spend my day tripping over any of the thirteen dogs in the house that hang around my feet and stopping them jumping through the window in front of my workbench…

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Recipes that all capture autumn so perfectly. We are just coming into spring, although the weather would suggest otherwise, so I’ll save these for a few months time.

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