Foraging for the first time can be an exciting adventure, and there are several easy-to-spot ingredients that beginners can look out for.
Wild Garlic
In the Arboretum, you can discover a variety of fruits, including apples, cherries, plums, and figs. These fruits, along with other berries, have historical significance as they were once used for medicinal purposes. While some of these fruits can be eaten raw, it’s worth noting that their sour taste might not be to everyone’s liking. Instead, they are often best utilized in delicious jams, pies, and other culinary creations.
Nettles
Despite their sting, nettles are nutritious and versatile, with young leaves being ideal for culinary use. They can be found in nutrient-rich soil along hedgerows and in woodlands.
Dandelions
These ubiquitous yellow flowers are not just garden pests; their leaves are edible and can be added to salads or cooked as greens.
Elderflowers
With their fragrant blossoms, elderflowers are easy to spot in hedgerows during late spring and early summer. They can be used to make refreshing cordials or infused into syrups.
Blackberries
Found in abundance during late summer and early autumn, blackberries are a familiar sight along hedgerows, woodland edges, and even in urban areas. They make delicious additions to pies, jams, and desserts.
What other ingredients can be found?
In the Arboretum, you can discover a variety of fruits, including apples, cherries, plums, and figs. These fruits, along with other berries, have historical significance as they were once used for medicinal purposes. While some of these fruits can be eaten raw, it’s worth noting that their sour taste might not be to everyone’s liking. Instead, they are often best utilized in delicious jams, pies, and other culinary creations.
