MORE LEMONS THAN WE KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH

During the winter months, when everything else in the gardens and orchard seem to be resting, waiting for the coming spring, the lemon trees are blooming; taking the opportunity to showcase their true capacity for produce by splaying their vibrant yellow and green in an otherwise bare environment. We at Indigo Fields, of course, could not let this remarkably abundant harvest go to waste.

Living in the green and, frankly, wet Midlands definitely has its perks. To us, none is quite as important as the lesson of making the most of what is given- particularly pertaining to the land. And why wouldn’t we? It has so much to give if this week is any indication. Despite having spent the whole week shaking our trees down for all the lemons they have to offer, we still have a long way to go before we exhaust this resource.

And what a resource it is! Lemons could make a solid argument for being the penultimate in natural healing and health improvement. First and foremost, there is no better way to purify your body than to drink a glass of warm water with lemon in the morning. As a natural mood lifter and metabolism booster, there is no better way to start your day- cleansed and energetic.

Here at Indigo Fields Spa, we’re obsessed with the use of lemon essential oil in aromatherapy. This oil provides relief from congestion and asthma, strengthens the proteins in nails and hair and brings a certain clarity of mind to our guests. As you can imagine, this is a great addition to our spa treatments

While it is all good and well that Indigo Fields can reap the riches of our own treasured orchard, we want to promote sustained living in your own household too. So if, like us, you have more lemons than you know what to do with, we have a few suggestions and recipes and “home pampering opportunities” to help you make sure none of your orchard’s winter gift goes to waste.

LIMONCELLO

Limoncello is a liquor of Italian origin and is best served chilled (or if you’re feeling ambitious, a little slushy) and is usually taken straight. It’s refreshing, it’s fun and, made naturally, it’s a little more forgiving on the body than straight-up vodka. Pour it over a little homemade vanilla ice cream and it’s the perfect release during one of our hot Indian-summer days out here in the midlands.

Ingredients

5-10 lemons

1l Vodka

3 cups white sugar

4 cups of water

Method

Zest the lemons, and place zest into a large glass bottle or jar. Pour in vodka. Cover loosely and let infuse for three to four weeks at room temperature. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Do not stir. Boil for 15 minutes. Allow syrup to cool to room temperature. Stir vodka mixture into syrup and let the mixture age for 2 weeks at room temperature. Strain the limoncello into your recyclable glass bottle of choice. Place it into the freezer. When icy cold, serve in chilled vodka glasses or shot glasses.