Recipe
by Tegan Lane
October 2021
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Magnolia Syrup
The wise and beautiful Magnolia, are thousands of years old and one of the first flowering plants, Fossil remains show the beautiful magnolia to be over 100 million years.
These trees have evolved over thousands and live well into their hundreds, because of this for many Magnolias represent long life and endurance.
In Feng Shui, Magnolia trees planted outside the home are thought to bring calmness tranquillity and longevity.
The bark of the magnolia tree is highly medicinal containing Neolignans, magnolol and honokiol, But it is not just the bark that contains a wealth of benefits.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Magnolia flower is associated with the Lung and Stomach meridians. Magnolia flower is typically used to treat nasal conditions, such as stuffy nose, congestion, and sinus headaches as well as hay fever.
Magnolia flower has a distinct gingery warmth and sweetness as well as has pungent and warm properties and that makes it perfect for creating a medicinal and delicious floral syrup with benefits to help us navigate the spring time.
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Ingredients
500 mls spring water
500 gm organic sugar
200 gm chopped magnolia flower
+ one or more sterile jars to hold approximately 800 mls of syrup
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Instructions
1.Gather your magnolia flowers in the morning sun, wash and cut your magnolia petals, some people prefer to remove the inner part of the flowers (ovaries), stating that they are slightly bitter but I myself keep them in for the extra potential benefits, perhaps taste a little and see for yourself how you would like to create your own syrup.
2. Put sugar into a pan along with the water, and bring to a simmer until the sugar has fully dissolved. Once the sugar is completely dissolved remove from the heat.
3. Allow the sugar syrup to cool to a temp that you can comfortably touch without getting burned. Then begin gently adding your chopped magnolia petals to the syrup. Steep for 24 hours out of the fridge and 24 hours in the fridge then strain through a sieve and pour into sterilised bottles.
4. Optionally you can also using the spent magnolia petals over a desert along with a delicate drizzle of the finished syrup. I can recommend this on buckwheat pancakes :)
Another way to use this syrup other than simply by itself or as a desert syrup is to mix it with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil to taste, to create your own spicy sweet salad dressing with hay fever benefits!
This recipe Makes: approximately 800ml
It keeps well in the fridge for up to 6 months and also can be frozen to extend its shelf life.
Enjoy :)
