Its early spring and the weather is just beginning to improve, I think it’s just about my favourite time of year, the sap is rising, buds are swelling and the first shoots of Wild Garlic are just appearing. Wild Garlic is one of the best wild ingredients out there, it’s…
Tag: spring
One of the most commonly asked questions, when we are running courses, is ‘Will we find any Truffles today?’ unfortunately my answer is almost always no, through this guide we’re going to look at An Introduction to Truffles in case you happen to be lucky enough to stumble across some…
Shepherds Purse / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Shepherds Purse is a tasty, native, annual member of the mustard family. The common name comes from the shape of the seed pods which look like old fashioned purses. It’s very common – in fact it’s the world’s 2nd most…
Spear Thistle / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Spear Thistle is a native, biannual member of the Daisy family.  It’s massively common and the stems can be used as a celery substitute. Common Names Spear Thistle, Bull Thistle, Scotch Thistle Botanical Name Cirsium vulgare Scientific Classification Kingdom –…
Ground Ivy / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Ground Ivy is one of Britain’s most common plants, it’s not a true Ivy but a member of the Mint family and it can be used as a substitute for Thyme, Mint or Rosemary. It’s an evergreen, ground…
Wild Asparagus / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Wild Asparagus is a flowering, perennial member of the Asparagus family, it was once fairly common but due to changes in land use and management it’s in serious decline and is on the GB Red list for endangered species. Common…
Watercress / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible Watercress is a fast growing, aquatic member of the Cabbage family. It’s very nutritious, easy to ID and edible. Common Names Watercress, Yellow cress, Poor Man’s Bread Botanical Name Nasturtium officinale Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Brassicales Family –…
Ragwort / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Ragworts (Senecio species) are very common throughout the UK, the most common variety in the UK is Jacobaea vulgaris but they are all toxic. Common Names Ragwort, Common ragwort, Stinking Willy, Tansy ragwort, St. James-wort, Stinking nanny, Staggerwort, Cankerwort, Stammerwort. Botanical…
Black Truffle / Spring / Winter / Edible Prepare to enter a world of unparalleled gastronomic indulgence as we unravel the secrets of the Black Truffle, scientifically known as Tuber melanosporum. In this blog post, we embark on an extraordinary journey into the realm of culinary opulence, where the unmistakable…
Whitish Truffle / Spring / Winter / Edible Scientific Name Tuber borchii Common Names Whitish Truffle, Bianchetto truffle, White Spring truffle Family Tuberaceae Habitat They are mycorrhizal and grow just beneath the surface near oaks and pines. They are very, very rarely found in the UK and are most often…