13 Comments
User's avatar
Transcriber B's avatar

So lovely to think of dandelions!

Expand full comment
Jeanne McSherry's avatar

Hi Kristi, never were truer words spoken than about this most persecuted of plants, this humble yet effervescent ray of sunshine which gives so much to humans and to starving bees upon emerging from hibernation with the vivid yellow being, to a bee, as the beacon of the lighthouse is to the fearful sailor clinging for dear life onto a creaky boat in a storm laden dark and vicious sea with the pitch black sky above - a saviour to both man and the bumble bee alike. Wishing you full recovery in your health and thank you for such a descriptive amount of information on how best to use this most amazing plant that should be lauded as one of Nature’s wonders and not as a pesky weed! I regard it as a privilege to have them growing in my garden and to see them growing wild wherever they may be, left alone to shine like joyful little stars, embellishing the tapestry of Nature

Expand full comment
ExcessDeathsAU's avatar

Top-notch article Kristi. If you can believe it, I actually had to buy North American dandelion seeds and plant them in order to do as you have described. I even seeded my yard with them...nothing. I was able to grow some in a raised seed bed and all the parts are now dried, sitting in my herb jars.

The North American climate is so fecund, so lovely. It amazes me what will grow there and how much is edible. How gentle the light is.

Americans are often surprised by how 'strong' everything smells here and they notice the moment they get off the plane - it is the Eucalypt. Everything is very astringent and the sun is harsh, vaporising the volatiles especially at certain times of the year.

Thanks again.

Expand full comment
Kristi yapp's avatar

Maybe I will visit Australia one day. A completely different world.

I have dandelions growing through cracks in the sidewalk. They manage to find every access point.

Expand full comment
ExcessDeathsAU's avatar

You are most welcome. I would recommend getting out of the cities as quickly as possible. There is something very evil in them now.

A US journalist recently visited and commented on the incredible ptsd she witnessed here among people. She said we are 'unwell.' Everyone wanted to tell her about what happened here during covid and begged her to not forget about us - to warn people about what happened.

Expand full comment
Rebecca's avatar

I love a good dandelion root decoction with a bit of butter (for better absorption) and maple syrup.

But after seeing your dandelion wine, I’m wondering whether I might use dandelion flower tea as a flavoring for the second ferment of water kefir. It would be a naturally fermented dandelion soda. Hmmm….

Expand full comment
Kristi yapp's avatar

It will work. Use the yellow dandelion petals only. Cut them away from the green part. Sounds amazing.

Expand full comment
Rebecca's avatar

Thanks! I know what I’ll be experimenting with next week. 😁

Expand full comment
ExcessDeathsAU's avatar

>naturally fermented dandelion soda

Oh my goodness.

Expand full comment
Kristi yapp's avatar

If you put pine needles in a bottle with sugar and water, you have a lightly piney soda in under 48 hours.

Expand full comment
Rebecca's avatar

Water kefir (AKA Japanese water crystals) is great fun. My current favorite is pineapple.

Expand full comment
Candy's avatar

Very good. Thank you.

If only people would listen

Expand full comment
Kristi yapp's avatar

If only

I have come to realise that I cannot make others see the world as I do. All that I can do is speak honestly about my point of view.

Expand full comment