How To: Glycerite with Fresh Blackberries
Well, it's official. I've become a fresh food glycerite addict. So, before we start getting serious about other Fall-related activities, allow me to share with you the final summer berry glycerite of the year.
We're going to be more hands-on with this one with a slightly different straining process, so don your latex gloves and let's get busy with blackberries!
Ingredients
- fresh, juicy blackberries (I use organic)
- glycerine (I use vegetable based)
- preservative
Tip: Blackberries are quick to spoil - be extremely attentive when choosing which ones to add to your glycerite.
Water to Glycerine
Glycerine extracts are commonly made with dried plant materials that are reconstituted with water, then added to the glycerine. The usual ratio of water to glycerine for an extract is 50/50.For this batch I used
- 52 % Glycerine
- 47.5 % Blackberries
- 0,5 % Preservative (I used benzyl alcohol)
Tip: Always always measure your ingredients by weight - this is the only accurate way to be sure of your amounts in any formula.
Method
- Sanitize the jar and your equipment
- Don your gloves
- Weigh the berries
- Gently crush each berry as it is added to the jar. This also allows for an extra final inspection of perfect freshness.
- Weigh and add glycerine
- Add preservative
- Place lid on jar
- Keep jar in a dark and not too warm area
- Agitate the jar daily for 7-10 days
The color will change as the days pass. Here's what mine looked like after 8 days.
Time to Strain
Here's what you need to strain- Latex Gloves
- Funnel
- Filters
- Receptacle to strain into
- Bottle for your extract
Straining is a time-consuming process, but you can speed up the process a bit by transferring to a new filter as soon as the liquid stops dripping through.
Don't forget to put on gloves.
You might be able to speed up the process even more by gently squeezing the filter as you transfer.
Gentle is the keyword here.
Here's what happens if you get a bit too heavy handed. The filter bursts, seeds and bits escape, and you get to start over.
When the liquid has run through, transfer the glycerite to a bottle, add a label (remember to add a date), and enjoy your fabulous blackberry glycerite!
Where to Use a Fresh Food Glycerite
You can use a glycerite in place of glycerine in any formula. It adds the delicious scent of the food (or herbs) you have infused as well as the water-soluble actives of your ingredients.Enjoy!
More About Glycerine and More Glycerite How to's on This Blog
Cucumber Glycerite How-to: 1Cucumber Glycerite How-to: 2
Lemon Glycerite How-to
Strawberry Glycerite How-to
Blueberry Glycerite How-to
Glycerine Uses and Properties
Glycerine and Preservative Power
Comments
@Jemila - thank you- I hope you have great success with it!
And what if I'm having two other glycerites actives in my lotion, do I sum them up all below 10% too, would that affect the effectiveness of my actives