Saguaro Syrup
by Tohono O'odham Community Action

Saguaro Syrup - Bahidaj Sitol. For the Tohono O’odham – the People of the Desert – the saguaro cactus is an honored relative. The towering cactus provides for the physical and spiritual sustenance of the people. The saguaro fruit ripens during the hot months of June and July and is hand harvested just before the torrential monsoon rains using a traditional picking stick up to fifteen feet high made of saguaro ribs. Traditionally, the fruit is made into syrup and the tiny black seeds and saffron like pulp are sun dried.

Thick and mahogany colored, this is the most rare of the world's fruit syrups. It is made from hand harvested saguaro fruit and cooked slowly over mesquite fires. The unusual, deep flavor is both sweet and smoky. Saguaro syrup can be used in a similar manner as the finest aged balsamic vinegars. It is excellent as a glaze, garnish or drizzled over fresh fruit or ice cream.

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