If there’s one plant that we have no shortage of here, it’s lovely dandelion. I unabashedly sing its praises: it’s nutritious, prolific, hardy, and delicious. It also makes a soothingly delicious wildcrafted beer.
Tag: Wildcrafted
Winecraft: Glorious Goldenrod-Ginger
The goldenrod is blooming! Pollinators are busily working the plentiful blooms, a favorite of the Pennsylvania Leatherwing Beetles (also known as Goldenrod Soldier Beetles). With Autumn now upon us, it felt like it was time to start another batch of this special wine.
Farm Ferments: Pine-Lime-Ginger Wild-Fermented Soda
We’re fortunate to have several mature pine trees providing summer shade, and right now, the pine cones are green. I love the smell of pine needles, and especially enjoy that fragrance (and flavor) in wild-fermented Pine-Lime-Ginger soda.
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Winecraft: Smooth Sumac
With a stretch of sunny weather, I decided to harvest the Smooth Sumac berries. They had deepened in color, and touching a finger to a berry (and tasting it) indicated that they were definitely ripe – and pucker you up sour!
Farm Foraging: Smooth Sumac
I’m always delighted to discover new wild-growing, useful plants on our property. I still remember the first time I spied small green spheres growing in the trees and wondered what in the world those pungent, citrus-scented globes were – hedge apples? It turns out that they were black walnuts! Lesson learned: never assume that a plant is “just a weed”.
Winecraft: Queen Anne’s Lace
The Queen Anne’s Lace was so good in jelly – and those lacy flower heads keep springing up along the fencelines – I had to try making wine!