I was browsing my Wild edibles book this morning looking at what I can forage for in the bush on my Hike on Monday, as the temps are suppose to go to 0 yes I said ZERO. Let me tell you after this deep freeze I will take it and run, or Hike. So I thought well what kind of tea could I make while on the trail. So this post is dedicated to foraging in the winter.
Let's start with that tea I mentioned. There are so many possibilities. Pine and Spruce are the more commonly found tree's in my area, that I can make a great tea from it's needles. Most coniferous tree needles except for of the YEW tree, those needles are toxic. We do have Hemlocks and Fir's in our neck of the woods that would also make a great tasting tea.
Here is how You make the tea, once you find the needles.
Pick the green needles until you have a handful
Add one tea spoon of white spruce sap
Bring to boil and simmer
Sweeten with honey to taste
Enjoy, sit back and taste the forest in a cup.
So now that we have something warm to drink, what are we going to look for to eat? Cranberries. They are very hardy to the cold and winter climate and a great health food to consume. Another berry is the the Hawberry or Hawthorne Berry. These guys are pretty plentiful around here. There are many varieties, not all taste great, but none are poisonous. However the seeds are poisonous so don't eat them.
The Wintergreen also sometimes referred to as the Teaberry or the Checkerberry. These are also very hardy frost and cold climate resistant plants. Quite common in the northern parts. The leaves and berries are both edible. You can chew on the leaves.
Watercress is another source of food in the winter. They love cold water and thrive near it. The leaves of this plant are a little peppery tasting, but good source of nutrients to chew on or throw in a salad.
So there you have it Folks, now once the weather decides to cooperate and rise to a little more of a comfortable zone, get out there and take a trail hike and see if you can forage for some of these treats. Challenge yourself.
Happy Winter Foraging Trails Folks
Image Sources:
https://www.shtfpreparedness.com/make-spruce-needle-tea-winter/
Youtube
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/photos/view/29076/hawberries/31754378
http://www.gatewaygardener.com/native-plants/native-plants-with-winter-interest
http://foragerchef.com/winter-watercress/