How to Extract Juice from Spruce Tips: Yield: about 3 cups (enough for one batch of Spruce Tip Jelly)

Yield: about 3 cups (enough for one batch of Spruce Tip Jelly)

1. Gather at least 9 cups of spruce tips. Spruce tips are the new, soft, bright green growth on the tips of spruce branches.
2. Place the cleaned spruce tips in a large saucepan. Fill pan with water to within two inches below the top. You should be able to see the water, but it should not cover the spruce tips. (The amount of water isn't critical.)
3. Here's where I did not follow the extension service. I simply heat the water and allow the spruce tips to simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes. The extension service book says, "Bring to a boil in a covered saucepan and boil for 1 hour; reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours." I think that's overkill.
4. Drain through a colander, and then strain the juice through a jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth.

Spruce Tip Jelly
Yield: about 5 cups

3 cups spruce tip juice

4 cups granulated sugar

1 package powdered pectin (1 3/4 ounces)

1. Sterilize canning jars and prepare lids.
2. Measure sugar and set aside.
3. Measure spruce tip juice into a large saucepan.
4. Add pectin and stir until dissolved.
5. Place on high heat; stir constantly and bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
6. At once stir in sugar.
7. Bring to a full rolling boil; boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
8. Remove from heat and quickly skim off form. (Note: adding 1/2 tsp. butter to the juice helps reduce foaming.)
9. Immediately pour jelly into hot canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
10. Wipe jar rims and ad prepared two-piece lids.
11. Process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath canner.

Spruce Tip Tea
This can be made two ways. I prefer to place a handful of spruce tips in a jar with a lid, fill with enough boiling water for a mug of tea, place the lid on the jar and let steep until cool enough to sip. Some people prefer to toss the spruce tips into a pot of boiling water and boil for about 5 minutes. I think that kills too many nutrients. Either way, strain and serve hot with honey or maple sugar to sweeten, if you like. Spruce Tip Tea is also nice with the addition of a few whole cloves, a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or grated orange peel.

Spruce tips can be gathered and used throughout the year, but they are best during the spring.
h/t Andrea Sisco.