Page 124 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Water Avens, Geum rivale (ROSACEAE)

WATER AVENS, also known as Indian chocolate or EDIBLE PARTS: root
Water Flower, grows in damp, shady forests. As the KEY MEDICINAL USES: Dried root repels moths. Root
name infers, it is usually found close to water along tea is used for dysentery.
streams and swampy edges. The foliage grows to 1
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest the finer roots
ft. (0.3m) tall, while the flowering stems can grow up
in spring. They can be boiled to make a drink similar
to 2 ½ ft. (0.8m) tall.
to hot chocolate, or used to season food and flavor
FLOWER: 1-3 flowers are held above the foliage on ale and mulled beverages. The fragrance of the root
an erect, hairy stem. Each has 5 large, bright-purple diminishes when dried, so it should be dried whole,
or pink colored sepals that hold the shorter, paler pet- stored in an airtight container, and ground or chopped
als. These sepals can be up to 1 inch (2.5cm) long and up only when needed.
have pointed tips. The flower develops into a fluffy
WATER AVENS MASALA CHAI RECIPE: Ingredients: 3
seed head, with each seed having a feathery plume
tbsp. chopped Water Avens root, ¼ tsp. each of cinna-
about 1 inch (2.5cm) long attached to it.
mon, ginger, and nutmeg; 4-6 green cardamom pods;
LEAF: Basal leaves are up to 8 inches (20cm) long, 4-6 whole cloves; 2-4 allspice seeds, black pepper; 1
over 3 ½ inches (9cm) wide, and are much larg- earl grey tea bag; 2 cups water; 3 cups milk; sugar or
er and fan-shaped than the upper leaves. The leaf sweetener to taste. Add the Water Avens root, water
shape varies greatly with location, age and position and spices to a small pot and slowly bring it to a boil
on the plant, but each leaf is typically divided into 3 while stirring occasionally. Once it has started to boil,
segments (trifoliate) with bluntly toothed margins reduce the heat and simmer for 20 min. Add the tea-
(similar to strawberry leaves), with a pair of smaller bag and milk and simmer for another 5 min. Remove
leaves further down the long stem. Basal leaves are the teabag and simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
usually on stalks up to 8 inches (20cm) long. Both the Strain and sweeten with sugar or honey as needed.
underside and surface of the leaves are slightly fuzzy. Makes 4 cups.

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