The sloe is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa. It can reach a height of 5-7 metres; the bark is tough and black. The thorny branches bear dark green glossy leaves that are 2-5cm in length, ovate in shape with a serrated edge. The hermaphrodite, 5-petaled flowers are 1.5 cm diameter, creamy-white in colour and form clusters which appear before the leaves in early spring. The sloe berry is a drupe 10–12mm in diameter, black in colour when ripe with a blueish-purple waxy bloom. - Must be infused in boiling water prior to consumption. INGREDIENTS Sloe berries DIRECTIONS The sloe can be used to make wine, cordial, jams and jellies, the juice from unripe fruit can be used as an ink for cloth and is almost impossible to wash out. Dye can be obtained from the bark, leaves and fruit. See more

Must be infused in boiling water prior to consumption. The sloe berry is a drupe 10?12mm in diameter, black in colour when ripe with a blueish-purple waxy bloom. Dye can be obtained from the bark, leaves and fruit. the juice from unripe fruit can be used as an ink for cloth and is almost impossible to wash out. The sloe can be used to make wine, cordial, jams and jellies.