Sea Buckthorn Sorbet

Sea buckthorn is one of my favorite sorbet flavors. It is a tart and refreshing berry that I treat the same way as a traditional lemon sorbetto; as a palate cleanser. The sea buckthorn berry is popular from Northern Europe all the way to Mongolia and is used in a multitude of ways. From tea to jams, to of course this sea buckthorn sorbet.

Sea buckthorn is also called seaberry, sandthorn, or sallowthorn. It is a shrub type plant that produces small, orange berries. The berries taste range from mildly tart to quite astringent – so in this recipe I use more sugar than normal to balance it. The great thing about sea buckthorn sorbet is that it not only makes an elegant dessert, I often serve it just as a between course palate cleanser.

When making sea buckthorn sorbet you do not need to find fresh berries. Frozen berries work just as well as long as they were picked at optimal ripeness. This ‘rule’ in fact goes for all of my fruit recipes like strawberry sorbet or wild cherry ice cream.

What You’ll Need

As with all of my recipes on Scoops of Delight, you need an ice cream machine. The exact style and brand does not matter too much but you do want one that is decent quality. I personally use the Smeg Ice Cream Maker. The only issue with it is that you need to already have a Smeg Stand Mixer – which can be quite pricey. While there are plenty of recipes for no-churn sorbets, I often find a properly churned sorbet magnitudes better.

Some other things you will need for this homemade sorbet recipe are:

• Mixing Bowls
• Wire Whisk
• Steel Pan (I personally find steel the best for making sorbet, but you can use any as long as you are careful about the temperature.
• Rubber Spatula
• Sealable Container (The best thing to use to store homemade sorbet is plastic in my opinion. You want something that is more flat than tall as it provides more surface area to quickly freeze in a home freezer).
• Fine Mesh Sieve
• Blender (I use a stick blender, but you can use a juicer or regular blender as well)
• Kitchen Scale (optional, but recommended as almost all of my recipes use metric as it is more precise than imperial for most home cooks).

How To Make Sea Buckthorn Sorbet At Home

This sea buckthorn sorbet recipe is extremely easy. In fact sorbet is said to be one of the earliest frozen desserts, so they are almost always very simple. In this recipe there are only 4 ingredients! And to be honest, since one of them is just water that doesn’t really count. So three ingredients, let’s go!

Ingredients

300 grams Sea Buckthorn Berries (fresh or frozen both work)

215 grams Sugar

5 grams Pectin 

750 ml Water (more or less as needed. The goal is to have the final base be 1L before churning)

The first thing to do is blend the sea buckthorn berries with the water. If you have a juicer you can use that, but I find a stick blender works just fine.

Pour the mix through a fine mesh strainer. Use a rubber spatula or spoon to press the liquid out from the pulp if needed.

In a small bowl mix together the sugar and pectin. This will prevent the pectin from clumping in the next step. Place the sea buckthorn juice in a pan and bring up to a simmer. You don’t want a rolling boil since you don’t want to evaporate too much water. Add in the sugar/pectin blend and whisk to combine. Let simmer for around 5 minutes.

Place the mixture in a sealable container and pop in the fridge until completely chilled.

Place your sea buckthorn sorbet base into your ice cream maker and run according to the machine’s instructions. It takes around 30 minutes on mine but yours can vary. Then move it to a sealable container and place in the freezer to solidify.

Like fruit sorbets? Why not try my honeydew melon sorbet – it uses a slightly more science-y base but the end result is delicious!

7 Reasons Why Sea Buckthorn Berries Make A Good Sorbet

Sea buckthorn berries make excellent sorbet due to the following reasons:

1. Refreshing Flavor: Sea buckthorn berries have a unique and vibrant flavor profile that blends tanginess with subtle sweetness. This makes them perfect for creating a refreshing sorbet with a delightful taste that is both tart and slightly sweet.
2. Vibrant Color: The bright orange color of sea buckthorn berries adds a visually appealing element to the sorbet. The attractive color makes it visually enticing and can enhance the overall presentation of the dessert.
3. High Nutritional Value: Sea buckthorn berries are known for their exceptional nutritional content. They are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, and contain beneficial antioxidants, healthy fatty acids, and minerals like potassium and iron. By using sea buckthorn berries in sorbet, you can create a frozen treat that not only tastes good but also provides some nutritional benefits.
4. Tartness and Balance: The natural tartness of sea buckthorn berries adds a pleasant tangy flavor to the sorbet. This tartness can be balanced with a sweetener, such as honey or agave syrup, creating a well-rounded taste profile. The combination of tartness and sweetness makes sea buckthorn sorbet a refreshing and satisfying dessert option.
5. Exotic and Unique Ingredient: Sea buckthorn berries are not as commonly used in desserts compared to other fruits. By incorporating them into a sorbet, you can introduce your guests or customers to a unique and exotic flavor experience. It can be a conversation starter and offer a refreshing change from more traditional sorbet flavors.
6. Potential Health Benefits: Sea buckthorn berries are believed to possess various health benefits, including supporting immune function, promoting skin health, and aiding digestion. While the sorbet may not retain all the nutrients and benefits of the whole berries, it can still provide a delicious way to incorporate sea buckthorn into your diet.
7. Allergen-Friendly: Sea buckthorn berries are not commonly associated with allergies or sensitivities, making them a suitable ingredient for people with various dietary restrictions. Whether someone is lactose-intolerant, following a gluten-free diet, or avoiding common allergens, sea buckthorn sorbet can be a refreshing and safe dessert option.

These reasons highlight the potential of sea buckthorn berries to create a flavorful and unique sorbet that not only satisfies the taste buds but also offers potential nutritional benefits.

Sea Buckthorn Sorbet

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