Rosehip is the fruit of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family and falls into the category of pseudofruits (accessory fruits). It has a cup-shaped receptacle and achenes enclosed, with each rosehip bearing fine hooked hairs on its surface.

Typically ranging from red to orange, some species may display shades from deep purple to black.

Rosehips form after pollination in spring or early summer and mature from late summer to autumn. The bright red rosehip, or rose fruit, is a fleshy drupe that develops from the receptacle after the rose flower fades. While various rose species produce fruit, those from dog rose (Rosa canina) and wrinkled rose (Rosa rugosa) are primarily used for consumption.

Rosehip is an aggregate fruit commonly found in plants of the Rosaceae family. The aggregation of achenes on the concave receptacle forms it. Another fruit type similar to rosehip is the aggregate achene, which is formed by the aggregation of achenes on the raised surface of the receptacle.

In contrast to multiple fruits, both rosehip and aggregate achenes develop from the ovary of a single flower. The flowers often have separate pistils in these plants, each developing into an independent fruit, eventually forming an aggregate achene or rosehip clustered on a receptacle.

Rosehips are excellent for making cakes, fruit tarts, jams, and jellies. Due to their firm texture, they are also used in tea blends, requiring steeping for about 10-15 minutes to release their aroma and flavour fully. Adding honey and combining it with hibiscus flowers forms the basis for a delightful fruit tea. Compared to regular rose tea, Rosehip tea has a richer colour and flavour profile, offering a charming blend of sweetness and mild acidity.

It can be enhanced with a touch of honey or peppermint for flavour. Besides being a beauty-enhancing gem, rosehip tea is known for its potential benefits, including immune support, promoting regularity, and blood vessel constriction.

Rich in vitamin C, rosehips contribute to skincare and beauty. Obtained from wild roses or multiflora roses, they are also known as rose fruits or rose hips. Regular consumption of rosehip tea can enhance complexion, regulate physiological functions, and reduce fatigue. When additional nutritional support is needed, rosehips are essential for overall health.

Rosehips contain pectin, citric acid, and malic acid, exhibiting mild laxative and diuretic effects, although the diuretic activity is still debated. Fresh rosehips contain 0.5% to 1.7% of vitamin C, with an estimated 1250 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of rosehip. However, rosehips' high vitamin C content is prone to degradation during drying and processing, leading to a rapid decline in vitamin C levels during storage.

Vitamin C is crucial for collagen formation, tissue repair, enzyme assistance in metabolism, and participation in various oxidation-reduction reactions, including folic acid conversion, sugar metabolism, synthesis of lipids and proteins, iron metabolism, anti-infection, and cellular respiration.

In the rich hues and unique aroma of rosehips, we discover inspiration for delightful fruit teas and desserts and appreciate the precious elements of skincare and beauty. With their natural flavours, these tiny fruits are a culinary delight and a source of essential nutrients, including vitamin C.

Whether releasing their fragrance in a hot cup of tea or preserving their essence in the sweetness of jams, rosehips, with their unique charm, have become the perfect intersection of the kitchen and well-being. Let's savour the gifts of nature in every cup of rosehip tea and embrace the moments of beauty in our lives.