As of: April 5, 2024, 10:00 a.m
By: Joana Lück
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Nettles are often used in the kitchen. But first you have to harvest them. You can find out how not to burn yourself here.
Stinging nettles are common and often known as a nuisance weed. But despite their unpleasant reputation, nettles can also be a valuable source of food and medicine because the herb is healthy and can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. However, before you can reap their benefits, you must learn how to use them without getting burned. Here are some tried-and-tested methods to neutralize and safely handle nettle hairs.
Gloves, washing and drying help with handling
Stinging nettles have so-called stinging hairs that cause irritation on the skin. © Pond 5 Images/Imago
Wear protective gear
: Before approaching stinging nettles, it is best to wear gloves, long clothing, and closed shoes to avoid skin contact.
Targeted Harvesting
: If you want to harvest nettles for consumption or other purposes, choose young, tender shoots and use scissors or gloves to avoid direct contact with the burning hairs.
Thorough washing
: To remove the stinging hairs, you should wash the nettles thoroughly. It is best to use gloves and be careful not to touch the plants while cleaning them.
Boiling or drying
: Boiling or drying the nettles renders the burning hairs harmless. You can boil the leaves to use in soups, stews, or teas, or dry them to use as a tea or spice.
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Processing techniques
: If you use nettles in the kitchen, you can also render them harmless through various processing techniques such as blanching or freezing. These methods help neutralize the burning properties while preserving the plant's nutrient-rich properties.
Preservation and Storage
: Store the processed nettles in a dry place in airtight containers to preserve their freshness and potency.
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By following these steps, you can ensure that you can use the nettles safely and without injury.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.