WONDER DRUGS - SLOES

SLOES

The fruit of the blackthorn bush, it is the ancestor of cultivated plums and the same colour, but smaller and more tart. Prolific in hedgerows now and can be picked until November. Usually too bitter to eat raw.

Contain: Vitamin C, antioxidants.

What's new: Sloes may have an anti-bacterial effect, according to a study at the University of Salford. Polish researchers have found the fruit is high in the antioxidants that have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

At home: Sloe syrup has traditionally been used as a tonic to fight flu. Put 4lb of sloes in a pan, cover with boiling water, put on a lid and leave for 24 hours. Drain off the liquid, bring it to the boil and put back over the sloes. Repeat this process. Finally, strain the juice, add 11/2 lb sugar and bring to the boil before bottling.

Tip: If you wait to pick until October or November, or even after the first frosts, sloes are sweeter and juicier.