Alfalfa is an excellent green manure for our beds and a popular feed for animals. But it also provides us humans with plenty of edible material. It's definitely worth trying. Not only will you discover good taste, you will also get all sorts of healthy ingredients on your plate.
The young sprouts of the lucerne are particularly popular
Alfalfa sprouts
The word alfalfa comes from Arabic, but this name came to us via a detour. In the US, sprouts from lucerne seeds are also called alfalfa. Along with this eating trend, the name also spilled over the pond.
- Alfalfa seeds germinate easily
- they are easy to care for
- taste wonderfully fresh
Alfalfa sprouts are the most popular sprouts to eat raw. A convincing argument to taste some yourself.
Other edible parts of alfalfa
In addition to seeds, flowers and leaves of alfalfa can also expand our diet.
- young leaves are particularly tender
- they are available from April to June
- can be eaten raw or cooked
- Flowers can be used fresh like leaves
- dried they can enrich tea blends
tips
Always use the leaves in small amounts because they contain many estrogenic substances.
The taste of alfalfa
Alfalfa has a pea-like flavor, especially its flowers. The leaves can taste slightly bitter. Scalding them with hot water takes some of the bitterness away. Both flowers and leaves can be mixed into green smoothies in small amounts. They don't affect the taste too intensely, but bring in lots of healthy nutrients.
Healing agents
Alfalfa is used in herbal medicine as a remedy for all kinds of stomach problems. The herb is also said to help against loss of appetite. The estrogenic active ingredients also relieve menopausal symptoms.
Gather or grow?
Seeds or sprouts are sold in some shops. Blossoms and leaves, on the other hand, are not part of the sales range. However, you don't have to do without it.
Alfalfa, also known as piebald clover and everlasting clover, is easy to grow in your own garden. Appropriate seeds are commercially available at low prices. In some regions the plant can also be found growing wild and can be collected.