Summer time also means it is strawberry season, a very delicious time of year. Whether you grow them yourself or buy them from the supermarket, strawberries are not only delicious but also a nutrient-dense powerhouse. Just one cup provides more vitamin C than an orange, along with dietary fibre and potent antioxidants.
No matter whether you like to eat them as they are or prefer to turn them into cakes or jam, most people wash the berries first, then cut off the tops with the green leaves. If you are slicing up the fruit in this way, resist the urge to throw the tops away. That is because a foodie called Elly has shared a simple and tasty way to use them.
How to Make Syrup from Strawberry Tops
Taking to Instagram, Elly said strawberry syrup is a great way to prepare the greenery without causing food waste. She posted a video of herself trimming some strawberries before getting to work with the tops. Elly said: "Next time you're trimming strawberries, don't bin those tops, try this instead." Then, she went on to share this simple method.
The foodie put the strawberry tops into a separate container or jar and covered them with sugar. You should make sure to add an equal amount of sugar by weight, as you have strawberry tops. Then simply add a lid and give it a good, hard shake to mix it all together before putting it in the fridge. Give it a shake every time you open the fridge door, and after a day or two, you will have an incredibly fragrant strawberry syrup.
Elly added: "As I mentioned in the video, if your strawberry tops aren't particularly juicy and the sugar has not all dissolved on day two, you can add a splash of water to help it dissolve and move the process along. Once the sugar has dissolved, strain the syrup into a bottle and keep it in the fridge. It will be fine for weeks – it's sugar!"
Creative Uses for the Syrup
Elly went on to use the syrup in drinks, on ice cream and in fruit salads with yoghurt. However, the sky is the limit when it comes to what to pair it with. In the comments, the savvy foodie revealed she had tested the longevity of the syrup. She claims it can last up to six months when stored carefully in the fridge.
People were soon left amazed and took to the comments section to share their thoughts. One user wrote: "This is such a brilliant tip, Elly." Another gushed: "This is so clever!" And a third added: "Great timing. I made this yesterday, tastes lovely. Just need to find things to use it on now."
