Although there are 8 different sorrels, I grow only two, Rumex acetosa, (pictured left), and Rumex scutatus also known as French Sorrel. Why should you love Sorrel? Let me count the reasons why:
1. It is high in vitamin C and full of flavinoids to help you absorb it
2 It also contains anthraquinones , (now there is a word), which help you go - enough said.
3. It has a lovely lemony flavour which is nice when blended into fresh salads. Also sorrel makes a terrific cream soup. It matches well with fish and a sauce made of sorrel blended with onion, vinegar, sugar and sour cream is a tasty condiment with red meats. You can also prepare it like spinach.
If you are a dye maker, sorrel leaves make a pretty yellow/green and its roots a lovely red dye that has been used for hundreds of years. Sorrel didn't just start growing in the wilds of North America, they were brought over by settlers to this country because they are so healthy and useful and then made their escape from captive gardens.
Herbalists call Sorrel a refrigerant or febrefuge - which means a tea made from the leaves help cool a fever. It is also a very good diuretic and contains potassium. Is their anyone who shouldn't eat Sorrel? Yes, Sorrel contains oxalic acid, soooo, if you suffer from gout, kidney stones, bladder disease or rheumatoid arthritis, you should limit your intake to a little in salad from time to time.
Sorrel is an easy and constant grower. The more you pick, the faster it returns and one or two plants will supply you for the summer. Your can grow it from seed of take a hunk from a friend who doesn't use it anyway. Sorrel doesn't dry well so if you want it through the winter, chop and freeze.
1 comment:
Great products! Great prices! Love the Bread and Butter pickles. The bug repellent worked like a charm. My wife loves the soaps we got. Keep up the good work! Thanks for showing us your cows and the gardens ! It is a beautiful property. All the best and hope to see you again when we are in that area.
Regards
Rob Henderson
Post a Comment