Could Dandelion Wine (or tea or jelly) be good for you?

[LongTomH]

A sign of an early spring here in the Midwest is the proliferation of those lovely, little yellow wildflowers. Yeah, I know they're regarded as a weed if you're a purist about lawn and order; but, they sure are purty!!!! They can also be useful.

Remember Ray Bradbury's book of short stories: Dandelion Wine, all about the condensing the joys of summer into a single bottle of homemade wine? Well, you can find recipes for dandelion wine all over the internet. The taste is described as "rich, golden and warming;" it's also considered a good 'spring tonic.'

You'll also find recipes for dandelion tea:

The humble dandelion is much more than a weed that invades your backyard every spring. It has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries across many different cultures, as early as 900 AD. Its roots and leaves are dried and used to make dandelion tea, which contain vitamins A, C and D, and significant amounts of zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium. Rich in vitamins and minerals, the dandelion contains more beta-carotene than carrots per serving. Lowly weed no more: The dandelion packs a serious nutritious punch for a plant generally thought of as a nuisance.

You can also buy ready-prepared dandelion tea bags from sources like The Republic of Tea.

There's also dandelion jelly.

[SarasotaDem]

1. Roasted

Roasted dandelion root is really good for the liver and helps produce bile if you need it
You make a tea with it

[lunasun]

10. I drink that . Had a hot cup with honey this afternoon. Dandelions intentionally were brought to USA

by settlers

Site and Date of Introduction: Dandelions have spread throughout the northern hemisphere for so long that it is difficult to determine their nonnative status. It has been noted however, that the Puritans found dandelions to be so useful that they brought them to settle in the new county.
Mode(s) of Introduction: Throughout history, dandelions have been purposely carried across oceans and continents by human beings. European settlers brought these plants intentionally to America. Ships that came ashore to the New World undoubtedly brought soil and seeds along including the seeds of dandelions. While the plant spread discretely in a pant cuff or in a boot sole, it was also an invited species.
Reason(s) Why it has Become Established: There are many various reasons why the dandelion has become established. The most intended purposes of the dandelion was for medicine, food and wine. In the 17th century when dandelions were brought to the New World, they were mainly used by the Puritans as a source of medicine. Dandelion was not valued as a food commodity but instead as hosting a variety of health benefits. As the men toiled the land, the women would garden. Though they did not understand why, the leaf, root and flower were believed to have significant results in alleviating ailments. Dandelion was also cultivated because it was a plant they were familiar with and could trust in this foreign land. Thus, the woman planted dandelion seeds for its medicinal benefits and to spread a flower that reminded them of home.
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Taraxum_officinale.htm

[janterry]

2. I've been thinking about making tea with it.

I was going to roast it (and store it). We have some growing in the front that would be great (those in the backyard have been frequented by our dog.........so, well, nope).

[WePurrsevere]

3. For so many reasons I'm a big fan of Dandelions...

Over the years we've made Dandelion Mead and Summer Wine (inspired by an old song) which has dandelions (aka angels kiss) in it and last Spring we made some very tasty Dandelion Jelly. We recruited the grands to pick oodles of dandelions from our yard for us. They had a blast doing it I'm going to see if I can convince them to do it this year as well.

Quite a few plants we think of as 'weeds' are good for us use for food or health. (Plantain is another common 'weed' I'd recommend.).

[lunasun]

11. I Agree so many uses for plantain

[sarge43]

4. If you want to help our struggling bee population, let the dandelions thrive.

Being one of the first pollen rich flowers to blossom in the spring, bees need them to feed their growing lava.

When they're done blossoming, you can harvest them for the leaves and roots. Dannie leaves are delicious with bacon. Just throw a handful in the pan just before the bacon done.

[Jane Austin]

5. Dandelion tea makes for a good

diuretic.

So might make you feel less bloated after a burger and fries or Pizza.

[wasupaloopa]

6. As a kid my folks took us out to a large field behind my uncle's house to

pick dandelion greens. My mom cooked them with navy beans.

I hated the taste of them. They tasted sort of "dusty" to me like some dry powder were on them.

We were poor and the greens were free. They had iron in them I was told.

I think that was called poke salad by some folks.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. I know!

We once did the same thing with my grandmother. I thought it was very cool as a little kid that we could actually cook and eat them - but I remember being disappointed that I didn't like them at all.

[jberryhill]

7. Sure. That which does not kill me, etc.

Of course, they just locked up a lady who decided it would cure her child's illness instead of seeking competent medical advice.

My European relatives were utterly shocked that we treat it as an undesirable weed. When I used to do yardwork, I was inclined to agree with them.

[appleannie1943]

8. During the depression it was the salad of choice. Choose the young leaves.

Wash them well.

Wilted dandelion was made by adding sugar to a couple tablespoons of bacon grease, add vinegar, water and stir until it comes to a boil. Cool a bit. Pour warm over young dandelion leaves.

The wine can be potent. It has a musty smell but does not taste bad at all once you get it passed your nose.

[doc03]

9. My mother always dug sassafras root in the spring for tea, it

was supposed to be good for you too. I always buy a couple bottles of Dandelion wine in Ohio Amish country in the spring.

[lunasun]

12. Purslane is another great so called weed. It is actually getting trendy instead of the usual disgust

it was met with up until a few years ago
Packed with good for you stuff
http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/recipes/sns-food-recipes-sides-purslane-story.html

[Laffy Kat]

13. Don't understand why people want to kill them. They're pretty.

I don't eat them myself, but bees love them.