The nuts are on their way…
In the garden the catkins have been replaced by nuts…
The second batch of ‘cold’ steeped elderflower cordial
On the kitchen window is the second lot of cordial, made differently from the first. Time will tell if they fizz, bubble, explode…. how exciting !
As inspired by Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
Jars of this and more tomato things are looking for a home on the shelves of the garage following Brian’s purchase of 12 kg of tomatoes the other week.
A rolled up babka thingy
One bit of test baking that sort of worked. But I can’t give you the recipe….
The lime trees are flowering….
I am going to harvest some of the flowers and make my own linden blossom tea this autumn. Lime trees, beloved of town planners for their sticky sap which stops people parking under them, and a great and glorious tree when left unpollarded like this one at Ashton Court.
American Readers please note : this isn’t a citrus lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia), but a tree also known as a small-leaved lime, one of the family of tilia trees and yes they get big! In England the tilia are commonly called lime trees. This is not confusing for English people as we don’t have citrus trees growing outdoor as you do in the USA, only a few in conservatories behind glass. I have just had a little scoot around and in the US they are usually known as linden trees. The tea made from the blossom of this tree is variously known as limeflower blossom tea, limeflower tea, linden tea, tilleul in French. Widely drunk in Europe, (Proust et al) and it is one of the safest teas to drink in the herbal range. I have some lovely scent from Jo Malone which is lime blossom too. You could say I am a bit of a limey :)
Zeb Bakes 
Had hibiscus flower drink at lunchtime with your stepsister….it was lovely, can you grow those too and make a cordial, please? xxx
Tutak, If I move to a house with arboretum attached :) Hibiscus, red and sharp flavoured? Comes from a plant known as roselle. Never seen it growing here. Maybe at Kew?
Gorgeous post! I have never seen a lime tree that large before! Does it produce edible fruit? And the babka thingy looks great. Love that you made tomato passata – how long do you think it will keep in jars? We always freeze ours, but it takes up so much space…
Celia
Whoops, more linguistic differences, this isn’t a citrus lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia), but a tree also known as a small-leaved lime, one of the family of tilia trees and yes they get big! In England the tilia are commonly called lime trees, I have just had a little scoot around and in the US they are usually known as linden trees. The tea made from the blossom of this tree is variously known as limeflower blossom tea, limeflower tea, linden tea, tilleul in French. Widely drunk in Europe, (Proust et al) and it is one of the safest teas to drink in the herbal range. I have some lovely scent from Jo Malone which is lime blossom too. You could say I am a bit of a limey :)
Not sure, we did the waterbath thing so they should keep for a few months at least, the last lot I think went on for a couple of months.
I’m loving the look of that Babka Thingy. A wedge of that and an espresso coffee and I would be happy happy.
Your cordial and passata look lovely!