Photo: Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) by amandabhslater on Flickr
To the man with the black dog, I was a woman with a kid in a buggy engaged in antisocial behaviour.
To me? I was engaging in an ancient practice, learning about my local environment, providing for my family, and not breaking any bylaws.
I was down by the river in my hometown, picking meadowsweet flowers to make cordial, while at the same time introducing my son to the wonder of watching a white-lipped snail bungee jumping on a sliver of grass. I hadn't noticed the chap until passed by and called back to me, in a tone that left no doubt as to his irritation, "those flowers are for us all to enjoy". In other words, "stop picking them, you good-for-nothing, irresponsible layabout".
I tried to explain what I was doing, but he kept on walking. I would have loved to have been able to chat with him: to tell him that I was picking perhaps 5% of the dozens and dozens of meadowsweet blooms in that spot, a public place: that I only picked enough for my purpose and left the scene looking as if I'd never been there, and that I wouldn't return to that spot that year to make sure the plants - an extremely common plant locally - have a chance to regenerate.
And I wasn't picking meadowsweet to sit and wilt in a vase - they were to be infused and turned into a cordial for me and my kids to enjoy in place of Fruit Shoots, cartons of orange 'juice' and all the other "healthy" drinks marketers try to convince parents to buy for their offspring.
It was the first time I'd ever been challenged by someone while out foraging: perhaps he wouldn't have batted an eyelid if I was blackberrying, but I think it was the fact that it was flowers that made the difference (He'd have had more of a point if I was picking flowers from the local park, but meadowseet flowers, though pretty, aren't exactly a bower of roses.)
This is a dilemma: despite the trendiness of foraging right now, most people still have no idea what foraging is, or what rules good foragers follow (there's a useful set here). And of course, foraging's newfound popularity means there are doubtless some people who are acting irresponsibly. And I don't like being told off by men with black dogs.
Perhaps education is the answer. Or wearing a T-shirt saying "I am foraging responsibly".
The cordial, meanwhile, was easy to make. This recipe makes a smallish amount, which I've stored in a jar in the fridge. Perhaps ironically, meadowsweet - used to flavour mead - is also said to reduce irritation in the stomach.
Read more at Celtnet: http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-meadowsweet-cordial
Copyright © celtnet
Read more at Celtnet: http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-meadowsweet-cordial
Copyright © celtnet
- 15 meadowsweet blossoms (shake off any insects)
- 1l water
- 150g sugar
- 1 lemon
Add the water and flowers to a large pan. Bring up to a boil then add the sugar, lemon juice and zest. Leave to infuse for 24 hours then strain through a muslin into a bottle or jar.
I have encountered this as well, although I was foraging blackberries and the woman in question told me that they were dirty and I shouldn't be eating them! I thanked her politely, petted the poodle and carried on picking, as she walked away she gave me a really dirty look.
Personally I don't want to spend £3.00 on a small tray of blackberries when they are free outdoors!
Just ignore the idiots, they have a sad and closed life and spend waay too much money on junk. You go girl!
Posted by: Mumblebug | July 11, 2012 at 08:41 AM
That's bizarre, Mumblebug ...
On the meadowsweet cordial, having now had a taste, I have to say it's an acquired one. Meadowsweet contains the ingredients used to make aspirin (so you should probably avoid if you have a problem with aspirin), and if you close your eyes while drinking it, there is a hint of those disgusting glasses of soluble aspirin my mum gave me when I was ill as a child. But diluted with some sparkling water it's rather nice. There's more information on meadowsweet's medicinal qualities here: http://www.herbsforhealing.org.uk/news/meadowsweet-newsletter.php
Posted by: Jane Perrone | July 12, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Hi Jane
Thanks for the very relevant piece. Fortunately here in Denmark folks seem to accept foraging (probably something to do with the extremely high taxes). Hopefully some of your tips are transferable to Copenhagens urban districts, regarding Meadowsweet not sure I am familiar with it but for next summer would like to try and find it here. Do you have a latin name?
Posted by: Pelfad | September 02, 2012 at 10:13 PM
Pelfad, it's Filipendula ulmaria ... take a look at this Wikipedia page for more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipendula_ulmaria but I think you should be able to find it in Denmark - try near waterways!
Posted by: Jane Perrone | September 05, 2012 at 04:46 PM