Dandelion has many important nutrients. You can eat dandelion leaves in a salad or make tea from the flowers.
Dandelions (Taraxacum) can be found in almost every garden. The daisy family is adaptable like hardly any other plant and is native to all continents. In early summer, the bright yellow cow flower is hard to miss. Home gardeners are far more concerned about controlling dandelions than they realize their importance as a food.
A variety of active ingredients makes dandelion interesting as a seasoning and medicinal product. The plant has a digestive, diuretic and detoxifying effect and can stimulate the entire metabolism. In the following we will reveal the secret of the nutrients in the dandelion and provide tips for using the individual parts of the plant.
Which parts of the dandelion are edible?
All parts of the dandelion are edible. Dandelions can be eaten all year round. However, there are significant seasonal differences in taste and he alth benefits.
Dandelion leaves and flowers are now also available for consumption in supermarkets. The flowers are primarily used for decoration. Natural remedies are obtained from the roots. The leaves of the dandelion have a tart, spicy taste and become bitter and inedible with age.
» Tip:
The young dandelion leaves are harvested between March and April. Buds and stems are picked between April and May.
Young dandelion leaves taste best. These have a low concentration of bitter substances. Dandelion leaves can still be collected after the flowering period, but then the taste is correspondingly more intense.
What nutrients does dandelion have?
➔ Dandelion Nutritional Values
The following nutritional values are contained in 100 grams of dandelion:
| Nutritional Value | Quantity |
|---|---|
| calories | 28 |
| Fibre | 3.1g |
| protein | 2.9g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.4g |
| Bold | 0.6g |
➔ Dandelion Vitamins
Dandelion has large amounts of vitamin A and is richof B group vitamins. 150 grams of dandelion are enough to cover your daily vitamin C requirement.
Overview of the vitamins contained:
| Vitamin | Amount per 100 g in µg |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A - Beta Carotene | 7,900 |
| Vitamin B1- Thiamine | 190 |
| Vitamin B2- Riboflavin | 170 |
| Vitamin B3 | 2.033 |
| Vitamin B5 | 250 |
| Vitamin B6 | 200 |
| Vitamin B7- Biotin | 0.7 |
| Vitamin B9- folic acid | 40 |
| Vitamin C | 67.778 |
| Vitamin E | 2,500 |
➔ Dandelion Minerals
The high proportion of minerals and trace elements is also responsible for the healing effect. Dandelions contain large amounts of copper. Already 100 grams of dandelion are enough to cover about a quarter of the daily copper requirement. The same applies to the supply of manganese and iron.
Overview of the minerals contained:
| Mineral | Quantity per 100 g in mg |
|---|---|
| Potassium | 501 |
| Calcium | 168 |
| Chloride | 170 |
| Sodium | 2.033 |
| Phosphorus | 250 |
| Magnesium | 200 |
| Sulphur | 0.7 |
➔ Dandelion Trace Elements
The contained trace elements at a glance:
| Trace Element | Quantity per 100 g in mg |
|---|---|
| iron | 3.380 |
| Manganese | 920 |
| Zinc | 830 |
| Copper | 260 |
| Fluoride | 70 |
| iodide | 3 |
➔ Dandelion Amino Acids
All eight essential amino acids are still contained in dandelion. In addition, mucilage, flavonoids, sterols and inulin.
The contained amino acids at a glance:
| essential amino acids | Quantity per 100 g in mg | non-essential amino acids | Quantity per 100 g in mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leucine | 311 | Glutamic Acid | 418 |
| Lysine | 219 | Aspartic Acid | 366 |
| isoleucine | 189 | Alanine | 182 |
| Phenylalanine | 161 | Glycine | 178 |
| Threonine | 161 | Proline | 153 |
| Valine | 172 | Serine | 149 |
Which parts of the plant can you use? Dandelion can be prepared in many different ways, but it should always be used fresh. In emergencies, dandelion can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days. Leave dandelion leaves fresh and crisp covered with a damp cloth.
Use dandelion leaves
A spring salad made from dandelion leaves is a classic. This can be combined with other leaf salads or served as a separate dish.
» Tip:
A special taste experience is offered in combination with lemon balm leaves. Dandelions also go well with onions, leeks or chervil.
The leaves of the dandelion can also be used to make herb butter or herb quark. Larger and already somewhat firmer leaves can be prepared like spinach. It can also be used in soup dishes.
An overview of the possible uses of dandelion leaves:
- Salads
- Pesto
- Herb Butter
- Herb Quark
- Soups
- Stews
- Sauces
- Vegetable dishes
- Juices and Smoothies
Dandelion Salad - 2 Recipes
The bitter-spicy taste of dandelion goes well in salads. Cream, sour cream, honey or mustard can be used to refine the dressing to counteract the bitter taste.
❶ Simple Dandelion Salad
Ingredients for 4 people:
- 200 grams dandelion leaves
- a clove of garlic
- three tablespoons of oil
- a tablespoon of lemon juice
- a tablespoon of chopped parsley
- a pinch of s alt
Preparation:
The dandelion leaves are cleaned in s alt water. The dressing is prepared from oil, s alt, lemon juice, parsley and the pressed clove of garlic. The dandelion is added to the finished salad dressing and mixed with the liquid.
» Tip: Let the salad sit for about 30 minutes before serving.
❷ Dandelion salad with croutons and egg
Ingredients for four people:
- 200 grams dandelion leaves
- two eggs
- two slices of wholemeal toast
- four tablespoons of oil
- two tablespoons of vinegar
- two tablespoonsButter
- a teaspoon of mustard
- two teaspoons of honey
- S alt and pepper for seasoning
Preparation:
Toast the toast in butter and cut into croutons. The hard-boiled eggs are cut into small cubes. The egg cubes and dandelion are mixed in a bowl. A dressing is made from the remaining ingredients. The dressing is mixed with the dandelion leaves and the eggs. Decorate the finished salad with the prepared croutons.
Use dandelion flowers
Dandelion blossoms are mainly used to decorate summer salads, desserts and pastries. The sweet-tasting flower heads can also be processed into jelly or syrup. To get a dandelion jelly, the flowers are boiled with water, lemon zest, lemon juice and jam sugar or agar agar, strained and filled into jam jars.
» Tip: Dandelion blossoms should not be heated. In heat, the flowers quickly shrivel and lose their bright yellow color.
Use dandelion roots
The roots of the dandelion can also be used in the home kitchen. For this purpose, the roots are preferably dried and ground. To obtain a cleansing and detoxifying dandelion tea, hot water is poured over the ground dandelion roots. The tea should steep for about five minutes. Don't be put off by the slightly bitter taste.
» Tip: Dandelion root is best collected in autumn. The roots then taste much sweeter than in spring.
Gathering dandelion roots later in the year has another benefit. The valuable ingredients are concentrated in the roots in autumn and winter.
Are dandelion poisonous?
This thought arises at the latest when you come into contact with the white plant sap. The liquid is reminiscent of the poisonous spurge plants. The milky sap of the dandelion is not really poisonous, but it is not completely harmless either.
If you eat dandelion in small amounts, you can rest easy. On the other hand, when large amounts are consumed, the oxalic acid content in the leaves and the taraxacin contained in the milky juice play a role.
Excessive consumption can cause the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- nausea
- stomach ache
- rheumatic complaints
- Cardiac arrhythmias
Dandelions as pet food
The animals also benefit from the broad spectrum of action of the dandelion. In horses, dandelion can ensure he althy digestion and stimulate the metabolism. Horses also like the dried dandelion root. The flower and seed buds can also be fed. For general regeneration and detoxification, horses can be given dandelion in combination with birch leaves and nettles.
» Tip: Dog owners can sprinkle the ground powder over the food of their four-legged friend.
Dandelion is one of rabbits' favorite foods. All plant parts can be fed. Young animals can also be supplied with dandelions. In small amounts, dandelion leaves can also help sick rabbits regenerate.
Warning: If you have diarrhea, you should not feed dandelion to rabbits.