Myrtle Berries

The common myrtle is a hardy ornamental shrub that produces berries which are dried and still used in Middle Eastern cooking. You may be able to purchase them from Turkish or Iranian delis or greengrocers. Alternatively, plant your own bush or raid a neighbour’s. Just as with bay berries they will need to be left on the bush until late autumn and taken when dark blue to purple, then dried carefully and thoroughly before storing. Note that if these berries are not fully dry they rapidly go mouldy in their container.