Fine And Dandy

Traditionally enjoyed as a green, in salads and brewed into beverages, dandelion is not just any old weed.

- Jennifer Stackhouse

Australian gardeners tend to despise dandelions. They are seen as weeds to obliterate from the lawn rather than a truly clever crop that deserves respect.

For kids, though, dandelions are magical — their spherical cloud of parachute seeds grants wishes or helps tell the time. And the bright yellow flowers are always there to pick or mash up into imaginary dishes for the dolls’ tea party.

In Europe and North America, dandelions are grown as crops to harvest for salad greens or to concoct exotic beverages such as dandelion wine or dandelion coffee. We may need to experience a disaster that prohibits the import of coffee before truly appreciating dandelion coffee, but dandelion wine and dandelion leaves are worth a try.

As dandelions are deep-rooted plants they concentrate nutrients drawn from deep within the soil. Eating lush, green dandelion leaves can add worthwhile amounts of sodium, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium along with vitamins A and C to the diet.