You may be shocked to learn that those yellowed flowers you think were weeds your whole lifespan is actually a superfood ! Here ’s what you ask to know about the health welfare of dandelions and how to eat them , include piddle a delectable blowball afternoon tea .
I bed … you may be outrage by this , but it ’s true . blowball are asuperfoodhigh enough in vitamin levels to put even lolly and spinach to ignominy . Those bright xanthous weeds that pop out up in the lawn ? Yes , that ’s what we are talking about . Get quick to have your mind bungle !
The Health Benefits of Dandelions
dandelion are some of the most nutritionally dense greens you may eat . They are far more nutritious than kale or spinach plant . blowball are full of vitamins and antioxidant . In fact , a half - cup of blowball greens has more calcium than a glass of milk !
The greens are also a skilful reservoir of Vitamins C , A , and K. Dandelions are rich in potassium , give them a potent diuretic quality as well as make them an first-class blood detoxifier .
Dandelions are note for their ability to stabilize blood shekels , making them an first-class accessory for diabetic .
Plus , you’re able to exhaust the bloom too . In fact , every part of this little cheerful plant life is edible ! There are so many other way multitude have used these petty plants . Here are a few more of my favourite :
My Dandelion Childhood
Picture this scene : I ’m 8 years sometime and new to the locality . I am heroic to make Modern Quaker because schooltime starts in a few workweek . While chatting away to some of the neighborhood kids , I see my mother out of the nook of my eye with a big bowl . One of the kids require , “ Umm , why is your mom foot Mary Jane out of the yard ? ” My response , “ I think she has a lot of water system . ” * crickets *
The skunk my mommy was harvest ? blowball . Yep , that malign small weed that jeopardize the tranquil ocean of green on a double-dyed lawn . I grew up very aware of its health benefits ; notably its role as a diuretic ( my female parent always articulate she had “ a passel of water ” when she was retaining water ) .
In many land , especially in Asia , dandelions are feed regularly for medicative and for nutritionary values ( by the means , my female parent is Korean ) . In the West , dandelions are gaining popularity as an eatable weed .
How to Harvest Dandelions
Theentireplant is comestible : flower , leaves , and beginning . The gustatory sensation resemble that of a spicier arugula .
As you in all probability have a go at it , you’re able to turn it from family . However , if you project to glean your own greens , make certain you harvest from an area that is not treated with chemicals of any sort . This means you need to ward off areas near freeways or public parks .
you could see dandelion greens and roots in Asian stores or even in some specialty supermarkets if you are not feeling up to foraging . If you do plan to harvest them on your own , it ’s better to meet dandelion in the outpouring when they are young ( before they flower ) and again in the twilight .
How to Eat Dandelions
Yes , you may eat dandelions that grow wild in your railway yard . think back , avoid any dandelion that have been sprayed with fertilizer or any other toxic atomiser .
Here are a few popular ways to consume dandelions , include my favorite , dandelion tea leaf .
How To Make Dandelion Tea
You will habituate the root of the flora to make this tea , so draw in up as much of the root as you’re able to when you are harvesting it .
This tea leaf will effectively handle digestive issues , bilestone , inflammation , muscleman pine , and bloating .
you may use either fresh or dry out blowball ascendent for tea . Both work just as well and are equally efficient at help oneself with digestion problem .
To make your tea , you ’ll take to exquisitely chop the dandelion theme first . Then , sum the radical into a loving cup with boiling water and steep for 2 - 3 minutes . you could either make your own tea bags or steep the solution forthwith in the weewee and stress it after .
Then , add a spot of honey to cut the bitterness . Without the beloved , it ’s pretty bitter , peculiarly if it ’s an older plant .
Use Dandelion Roots As A Coffee Replacement
Lots of hoi polloi prefer drinking dandelion coffee instead of coffee berry made from umber bean . It rinse off you gently . In other words , it ’s more gentle on your tummy than burnt umber bean are . ;)
you could brew dandelion coffee in your chocolate pot or French press as well . Here ’s how to make dandelion burnt umber .
This is a very acerbic coffee , so apply your favorite creamer and sweetener . You ’ll still be able-bodied to get all the same digestive welfare from this coffee bean as you do the teatime .
Garnish Desserts With Dandelion Petals
utilize fresh or dry out petals as a garnish in salad and desserts . Young dandelion flower petal have a love - like relish ; ripe blossoms are bitter but still nutritive and pretty . you could dry out the flowers in a dehydrator or lay them out in a single layer on a seamed cookie sheet and place it outside in the mid - day sun .
Fry Dandelion Flowers and Eat Them
This is a fun way to eat the blossoms . Dip the flowers in tempura batter and electrocute them in oil . They sample crunchy and savoury — trust me , they are good .
How To Eat Dandelion Leaves
Mature dandelion leaves can be on the vitriolic side . parboil the greens first , then saute them in crude with garlic . Young greens can be eaten tender in salad or in sandwiches .
or else of worry about eradicating the weeds from your lawn this year , consider of the weeds as a free , extremely nutritious food germ . Go forrader and permit the kids blow on the dandelion puff balls ; they ’re helping to circulate liberal food for all .
More Plant Resources
Debbie Wolfe is a mom of two rambunctious boys , wife , and employment - at - home mom from Georgia . In her spare time ( when there is such a thing ) , she is in the garden or hidden away reading the in style post - apocalyptic sci - fi play ! As stake , Debbie is an obsessive crafter , home chef , and nurseryman . She is a freelance author , blogger , and is a atomic number 27 - author and photographer behind the garden web log , The Prudent Garden ; a collecting of tips , craftsmanship , and articles that play up home base gardening .
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