Whether found along the way, deliberately sown in your own garden or discovered by accident, mugwort grows and thrives without much effort. But how should it be harvested in order to later have a good quality for seasoning dishes?

When is the best harvest time?

Mugwort should be harvested just before it starts flowering. The best thing to do is to take a close look at the plant: are the flower buds still closed at the ends of the shoots? If they have already opened, harvesting is less recommended.

After the flowers have opened, the leaves of the plant taste unpleasantly bitter and can spoil the taste of food. The reason: This protects the plant from predators. After all, it wants to multiply… Flowering usually begins between the end of June and July.

Harvesting mugwort: where and how?

If you have mugwort in your own garden, you know where to find it. He likes to spread out there, so that the plants multiply over the years. Otherwise, you can often find mugwort along waysides, roadsides, and in rocky debris dumps.

Mugwort can be harvested without gloves and simply armed with scissors. It's not toxic, but people with allergies should be careful. Mugwort pollen, which appears in abundance, quickly triggers allergic reactions.

The shoot tips, which are usually richly covered with flower buds, are cut off with scissors. They should be about 15 - 20 cm long. Then the cut shoots are tied together and taken home…

What happens after the harvest?

Mugwort can be used fresh. However, it is usually unrealistic to consume such large amounts immediately, since mugwort has a strong seasoning power. Therefore, it is best if you dry mugwort.

That's how it's done:

  • tie into small bouquets
  • hang in a shady place
  • alternatively dry in the dehydrator at low temperatures
  • Store in sealable containers after drying
  • can be used for greasy and heavy foods, tea, smoking and healing purposes

tips and tricks

The root of mugwort can also be harvested. This should preferably be done in late autumn.

KKF

Category:

Herbs