Sloe (blackthorn berries)

Small dark blue berries of a thorny shrub with astringent flesh, very sour raw, for jam, thick jam, compotes, meat sauces and cordials and gin.

Sloe (blackthorn berries) are small dark blue berries with a bluish bloom of a thorny shrub with firm astringent flesh and a large stone, very sour and astringent raw, softening after frosts and heat treatment. They are made into jam, thick jam, compotes, kissels, meat sauces (sloe tkemali), pastila and infused into cordials and gin (sloe gin).

Recipes with this ingredient

Lipetsk olivesRussian cuisine | Appetizers

Lipetsk olives are a unique Russian snack made from blackthorn, which resembles olives after salting. The astringent taste of blackthorn combined with currant leaves, horseradish, dill, and garlic gains a piquant spiciness and richness. The brine enriched with bay leaves, allspice, and cloves gives the berries depth of flavor and a special aroma. Historically, this recipe emerged as a homemade alternative to imported olives, offering a unique local version of the snack. Lipetsk olives pair wonderfully with meat dishes, cheeses, and even serve as an independent snack, complementing meals with notes of Russian traditional cuisine. After being stored in a cool place, the berries acquire softness and a harmonious blend of flavor nuances.