Spruce tip syrup recipe (2 methods) and its uses

Learn two simple ways how to turn spruce tips into a potent and flavorful spruce tip syrup. Its specific flavor can enhance your plate as well as ease your cough.

My grandmother already knew how to use everything that nature has to offer. Whether they were wild herbs or trees. She foraged dried alder leaves to make a decoction, which she used to ease cold, or that the birch is an excellent diuretic.

Similarly, she knew how to use conifers and this spruce syrup is proof of that.

Using two ingredients, one can make a delicious and unique spruce tip syrup that makes a beautiful edible DIY gift for any gourmet. 

All you need is to identify spruce, collect its young spruce tips and make spruce tea or add brown sugar and make this syrup. 

Fresh spruce tips

Our ancestors knew how to use all goodies that mother Earth has to offer. Therefore, when the trees began to sprout each spring, they went to collect spruce tips. They contain turpentine which dissolves mucus, thus relaxing the bronchi and easing expectoration. This superpower is best used in the form of syrup or tea.

Similarly, work pine needles that often used to make pine bud syrup,  pine needle tea or pine oil.

Due to the high content of antioxidants, flavonoids, and carotenes, fresh spruce tips strengthen immunity when used regularly. 

The high content of vitamin C is also a great advantage when one fights infection.

How to identify a spruce tree?

The spruce tree has a perfect conifer tree shape and tends to be decorated the most during Christmas time.

A spruce tree’s short and stiff needles come out from a single origin point, which remains if you pull a hand out. They are square so that they can be rolled in between the fingers. Pine needles grow in clusters from a single origin point, and if you pull them off, they come clean.

Anyway, here is an excellent guide if you need a more detailed description.

When to harvest spruce tips

Spruce tips are entirely edible and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked into soup, stew, or spruce tip tea. They are very versatile; some people also like to pickle them or powder them.

It doesn’t matter what you want to use them for. The key is to harvest them when they first begin to emerge from their husks which in spring. At this stage, they are tender and have a best citrusy flavor.

To harvest, pull the spruce tips gently off the tree. Make sure you don’t over-harvest one area, or take too many from a single tree. When you’re done picking, remove casings from the tips and wash and dry with a dish towel before using.

How to make spruce tip syrup

There are two ways to turn spruce tips into a spruce tip syrup

1. Cold Method

The first method requires 4 -6 weeks to make, so jump directly to the second method if you are in a hurry.

You take equal parts spruce tips and sugar. There is no need for weight measurements. 

Wash the shoots well with pre-boiled water and spread the first layer on the bottom of the glass jar. Push them down a little so that there are no gaps in between. Pour a layer of raw sugar over them. Repeat until the glass is full. Cover the jar with muslin and rubber. Put a full glass jar in the light, preferably on the windowsill. Spruce shoots gradually release a thick juice within 4 to 5 weeks, creating a syrup. After that, strain the syrup through a cheesecloth and store it in a dark and cold place.

In a very similar way, we made this herbal plantain dandelion syrup that is also very efficient in fighting a cough.

Depending on the season and your access to medicinal herbs, this amazing cough syrup with elderflower, linden and thyme might get your attention.

2. Warm method

Making spruce sprout syrup is not a science. It is less time-consuming than the first method. Use a 500 ml jar and fill it halfway with spruce tips. Add water on top. I let the shoots soak in the water for two days.

Then pour the infusion into the casserole and bring it to boil for a few minutes. Strain out the spruce tips and stir in the raw sugar. Simmer it until the color changes into yellow (amber) and the syrup thickens, caramelizes, and gently draws from the spoon. Let it cool to room temperature.

Adjusting the spruce sprout syrup consistency

By adjusting the ratio of water and sugar, you can play with various thicknesses of this spruce sprout syrup. If you want it more liquid, use a 3:1 ratio (3 parts of infusion and 1 part of sugar). If you prefer the spruce shoots syrup to be thick and rich, go for a ratio of 1 part water and 1 part sugar.

If you have access to younger spruce tips make this wonderful spruce tip tincture to boost your immune system with strength from the forest.

Spruce tip syrup uses

in recipes

Add a few splashes of this spruce tip syrup recipe to water or carbonated water with a hint of lemon, and you will get a refreshing drink of great taste.

This spruce tips syrup makes a great addition to alcoholic mixed beverages with gin or vodka.

When used as a glaze for meats such as game or chicken, it adds a beautiful woodsy note. 

This spruce tip syrup recipe is also perfect for sweetening pancakes, waffles, sponge cakes, or panna cotta.

To add flavors and enhance your white yogurt with granola for breakfast.

as remedy

Use it as spruce tip cough syrup to ease mild cough and relieve chest congestion.

Take one tablespoon every 2 hours as per your needs.

You can consume this spruce tip cough syrup directly, but you can also add it to tea or water. It is also suitable for children that love its taste.