A rose hip is the part of the rose that develops if the flower is never picked.  The rounded base of the flower that the blossom sits on gets nice and plump if left on the plant.

Rose hips are typically red to orange, but may also appear dark purple to black, depending on the species.  They are easily discernable from berries because they retain the blossom base at the outer end of the fruit.

Rose hips are commonly used as a herbal tea, or making jam, jelly or marmalade.  Rhodomel is a fermented drink made with rose hips and honey, and is a type of mead.

If you allow your rose bushes to form hips, or you have access to wild roses, here's a good way to put them to use.

Mince coarsely 3 pounds of rose hips and boil in 11-1/4 cups water.  Remove and let steep for 15 minutes.  Pour into a jelly bag or into a strainer lined with muslin fabric and let drip until thoroughly drained.  Put the pulp from the bag into a pan, add 5 cups boiling water, and set aside for 15 minutes.  Drain the juice off from this mixture and combine with the juice from the jelly bag, and boil down to about half the original measure (about 6 cups).  Add 3 cups sugar; boil for 6 minutes to dissolve the sugar.  Let it cool; put in a clean container or your clean saved-up sports drink bottles.  Refrigerate.  Two teaspoons daily provides your requirement for Vitamin C.

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