Provided by Hop Shop, 22 Dale Rd, Mutley Plymouth, PL4 6PE - http://www.hopshopuk.com
RUMTOPF (RUMPOT) RECIPE
It is usual to begin with the first fruit of the season, strawberries. Wash
and dry these thoroughly, remove all the green stems, put them into a dish,
cover them with an equal weight of sugar and then allow them to stand for an
hour. Place the fruit and sugar mixture into the Rumtopf, and cover it to a
depth of half an inch with rum or your other chosen spirit or liqueur. Make
sure that the spirit is at least 40% ABV, as it is the alcohol that preserves
the fruit. White refined granulated sugar is most commonly used, but castor
sugar will dissolve more easily.
It is important that the fruit remains submerged at all times, and this can
be done by placing a plate or saucer on top of the fruits in the Rumtopf. Cover
the top of the pot with cling film to prevent evaporation, and store in a cool
place. When the next fruit is available, carry out the same procedure, except
that from now on it is only necessary to use half as much sugar by weight as
fruit. Use ripe, dry but firm fruit and never any that is overripe. Build the
fruit up in layers, and do not stir as this will break up the fruit. Each time
fruit is added it may be necessary to add more rum.
Continue to add fruits throughout the summer until your Rumtopf is full. Suitable
fruits to use include apricots, cherries, grapes, peaches, plums, strawberries,
raspberries, redcurrants and loganberries.
Pineapple, with the rind and centre core removed, is best cubed and is usually
the last fruit added.
It will be ready after 4-6 weeks, but at it's best after 2-3 months, which should
be around Christmas.
I find it best to avoid watery fruits such as Melon, as they dilute the alcohol.
Rhubarb can make the fruits bitter, as can blackberries, which can also discolour
the rest of the fruits and spoil their appearance. The liquid from the Rumtopf
can be treated as a liqueur. The Rumtopf fruit is delicious either poured over
ice-cream or with a rich dark chocolate cake!
Provided by Hop Shop, 22 Dale Rd, Mutley Plymouth, PL4 6PE - http://www.hopshopuk.com