raw dandelion

[raw runner]

hi,

is someone eating raw dandelion here???it is the third time i try and my goodness that's really bitter,specially the old leaves...
now i would like someone to clear it up for me,is dandelion more bitter than kale ???
thanks for the answers...

[Revvell]

hi,


now i would like someone to clear it up for me,is dandelion more bitter than kale ???


Depends on the kale and the age of the dandelion greens.

[raw runner]

so it is the age,the older it gets the bitter it is...
thanks a lot
does dandelion contain protein or amino acide aac

[Amberly]

I eat dandelion. It is bitter. I use it in smoothies and juice. Mixed with sweet fruit, but still a bit bitter.

[raw runner]

i ate it in salad with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt...still bitter...
thanks for your reply

[Ilse W.]

Dandelion greens and roots are great for the liver. If you want them for their therapeutic value, I imagine you could dehydrate them, grind them up in a coffee grinder, and fill the powder into veggie caps. That way you get concentrated benefit without the bitterness.
I happen to really like bitter things, so I have no problems putting the greens in my salad.

[rawbabymama]

hi,

is someone eating raw dandelion here???it is the third time i try and my goodness that's really bitter,specially the old leaves...
now i would like someone to clear it up for me,is dandelion more bitter than kale ???
thanks for the answers...

Dandelion is definitely more bitter than kale. I love raw dandelion greens, they are my 2nd favorite salad green. I wash them well, rip them into bite size pieces (including the stems, which are sweeter), add a handful or two of raw parsley, snipped up, enough ev olive oil to coat, the juice of a lemon or some acv, 1 crushed garlic clove, a few pinches of sea salt, a chopped red bell pepper and/or lots of ripe grape tomatoes (these add a sweet, fresh flavor to counteract the bitterness) and toss. Then I put a few drizzles of honey or agave on top, or not, depending on my mood. Wonderful deliciousness!!!

And to the person who asked about the protein/amino acids...all whole foods contain amino acids in varying amounts. According to fitday, 2 cups of raw dandy greens = 3 grams protein.

[rawstrength]

You can develop a taste for bitterness. It really helps to get the good stuff in.

[T-Bird]

I eat this one salad - it's dandelion greens with a creamy cashew dressing.

At first, I just had a few bitefuls with a meal here and there - for the liver - but I grew to crave it so much it is insane, lol.

Love those dandelion greens!

[sport]

I have a smoothie in the fridge waiting on some hunger pangs and it is made with lots of dandelion as well as nettles and other foraged greens. The fruit in there is grapefruit and pineapple. I have not needed any sweet fruit in it.

[kaybee]

i mix dandelions(bitter) with sorrel (sour), chopped strawberries (sweet), and a bit of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. the flavors balance beautifully.

[mongodelight]

i ve stopped eating grocery greens. I am eating dandelion everyday and beech leafes and nettles etc. saves me 100 dollars a month. I am eating at least a pound a day.

bitter is not bad. Bitter is just a taste. U can get used to it like eating hot foods like chili peppers.
I am eating garlic 3x a week, chili peppers every day, ginger, onion. I cant live without it^^.

The grocery lettuce is not normal. I call it fake food: blown up with water, few minerals, few nutrients but dresses like food(regular food). Its no food its a joke. Wild food is real food. Organic is the minimum

[raw runner]

thanks to everyone who answered this post

[Arky]

Yup, I agree with the above posts. Dandelion greens are definitely more bitter than kale (different proportions of minerals). Bitter greens are extremely healing and also promote good production of digestive secretions and, as already noted, support liver function. In this day and age, we have gradually grown accustomed to the onslaughts of the food industry, who pander to, and promote, our love of all things sweet and/or fatty. It takes a while to re-accustomise oneself to the taste of 'bitter', but making the effort to do so is one of the best gifts we can possibly give to our bodies.

I should add that although I consume wheatgrass juice regularly, I much prefer the occasions when I have time to pick wild grasses, as they are much more bitter - yes, even wheatgrass can be surprisingly sickly-sweet at times!

As a general rule of thumb, bitter foods are extremely healing to the body. A very significant contribution to the bitter taste is that of a high level of minerals (e.g. potassium etc.). Consequently, I encourage you to make the disciplined effort to gradually re-educate your tastebuds to accomodate bitter foods as a regular and significant portion of your daily diet.


Arky.

[Ilse W.]

Arky, what "wild grasses" do you pick? Just any grass?

[Arky]

Within reason, I tend to trust any grass that I find growing wild in my local countryside. One quickly finds which ones are unpalatable and which ones are, frankly, delicious. I wouldn't do the same for other plants but I'm not afraid of grasses. I always rub a new grass on my wrist, to leach the juices onto my skin. If a rash appears 5 minutes later, then I avoid it, but I've never had this happen with grasses. I live in the UK. If I lived nearer the equator, I'd perhaps be more cautious.


Arky.



Also see this old post:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=39933

[Cheremoya]

I buy fresh dandelion from the farmer's market. It is wonderful A great liver cleanser ect go google.. I sometimes just mix it with water and lemons and make a smoothie.


The Old testement talks alot about bitter herbs ect and other cultures.....


UGGG Americans.

[RawSar]

Wow, I am amazed at how many people eat these super bitter greens in smoothies and salads. I'm kinda jealous lol
I guess I still haven't gotten use to their bitterness. They only way those types of greens go down is from a shot glass after it's been juiced. :p

[Cheremoya]

Well wheatgrass is even worse... lol

[Colorawdo girl]

Dandelion greens are great. Bitter IS just another taste and is so profound for health...candida and bitter are not friends.haha

I have been picking babe dandy lions(the non meat kind) and eating them in the field. I love them. My fave foods are wild foraged ones, consumed on the spot...fresh and living as can bee. Ooops theres a bee.

[Arky]

Actually, while we're on the topic...


for any of you who have tried wheatgrass juice but found it too sickly, or who have tried dandelion but found it too bitter, have you considered combining the two together?

Although I am happy to consume dandelion or wheatgrass as they are, I often add celery juice to my wheatgrass juice, simply because it makes it more pleasant (and celery juice is loaded with healthy organic sodium and other organic alkaline salts).

Just something to consider, if you struggle with the taste of potent greens.

Arky.

[appifanie]

i've been eying the dandelion greens growing outside my side door. no pesticides used there, but tons of neighborhood animals living outside, so i guess i'd have to wash them well!

[sport]

The Sunday Times Style supplement had a recipe feature and used dandelion in their salad this week so even the sad people are realising it's benefits.

[sprouts2go]

I bought some dandelion greens. Do you think they can be made into chips like kale? A little sea salt and EVOO??
After reading how bitter they are I hesitate to try them now.

[SweetTangerine]

I had dandelion greens for the first time this morning in a smoothie. I had no idea it would be so bitter. I mixed it with a couple of bananas, mint and some arugula, took a sip and made a face:p I added some grape juice to balance the bitter with with some sweet, and that seemed to make it palatable for me. I did notice that the smoothie was a bit more energizing than usual though. I haven't given up on the dandelions just yet.