Woodruff (Galium Odoratum) grows hidden in the shady corners of our forests and is famous for its fragrant, intense aroma, which is particularly effective in the preparation of tea. It is also popular for making a May punch. However, to experience the full flavor and health benefits of this extraordinary plant, it is crucial to know the right time to harvest it, collect it carefully and sustainably, and finally store and prepare it properly. In the following sections, you will learn everything you need to know to harvest and prepare woodruff tea fresh.
Is Sweet Woodruff Poisonous?
Sweet Woodruff contains Coumarin, a natural chemical compound that can be harmful to health in high doses. However, when consumed in moderate doses, as is usual when preparing Sweet Woodruff tea, the health risks are low. Low amounts of Coumarin could even be beneficial for your health. Problems can arise if large quantities of Sweet Woodruff or highly concentrated Sweet Woodruff products are consumed, as the Coumarin intake can then reach a level that is harmful to health. As this is a natural product and the Coumarin content varies depending on the growing conditions and time of harvest, it is difficult to recommend exact amounts to consume. The German consumer advice center recommends using a maximum of 3 grams of the leaves when preparing woodruff drinks.
Possible side effects include liver damage, headaches and dizziness. It is therefore important to enjoy Sweet Woodruff in moderation and not to drink more than 1-2 cups per day to avoid the risk of Coumarin overdose. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with liver damage should refrain from drinking Sweet Woodruff tea. If you are taking medication, especially blood-thinning medication, you should seek medical advice before drinking Sweet Woodruff tea.
Harvest Before the Sweet Woodruff Bloom Time
In order to ensure the optimal and safe consumption of Sweet Woodruff tea, it is essential to harvest before the Sweet Woodruff flowers, as the Coumarin content rises sharply afterwards and increases the risk of adverse health effects. Sweet Woodruff typically blooms in April or early May, depending on the location. You can tell it’s time to harvest when the plants are full of green leaves
and the first flower buds are just beginning to appear.
If you have missed the right time and the plants already have flowers, you can also order ready-dried woodruff directly here.
Harvesting Sweet Woodruff – How to Recognize and Collect it Sustainably
If you want to collect Sweet Woodruff in the wild or in your garden, you should look out for the following characteristics to avoid confusion with another plant. Sweet Woodruff can be recognized by its growth habit with small, shiny, lanceolate leaves arranged in whorls of six to eight leaves around the stem. The herb rarely grows taller than 20 cm.
Harvesting Sweet Woodruff: Tips for Sustainability
- Only collect Sweet Woodruff in places where it grows abundantly and never take more than
a third of the available plants in one location. This will ensure that the population can
recover. - Cut the woodruff close to the ground to encourage the growth of new shoots. Always use clean scissors or a knife to avoid damaging the plants unnecessarily.
Prepare fresh woodruff tea
You can use fresh leaves to prepare woodruff tea. However, to intensify the taste and get the typical aroma, the fresh woodruff leaves should be slightly dried. Spread the leaves out in an airy, shady place and leave them to wither for a few hours or overnight.
Preparation is very simple: take up to 3 grams of the herbs, pour boiling water over them and leave to infuse for 5 – 10 minutes. You can find more detailed preparation instructions with ideas for refining woodruff tea here.
Drying and storing woodruff
Drying and storing woodruff properly is crucial to preserving its characteristic aroma and being able to enjoy it over a longer period of time. Here’s how to store and dry woodruff optimally:
Drying woodruff:
- Preparation: Carefully clean the woodruff of soil and remove any damaged parts. It is not recommended to wash woodruff under running water, as this can affect its aroma. Instead, you should gently shake it out or dab it with a damp cloth.
- Drying method: Spread the woodruff out in a thin layer on a clean cloth or drying rack. Choose a warm, dry place with good air circulation, but without direct sunlight, as too much sun can impair the aroma.
- Check: Check the drying progress regularly. Depending on the temperature and humidity, the drying process can take a few days to a week. The Sweet Woodruff is sufficiently dried when the stems and leaves are brittle and can be easily crumbled with your fingers.
Storing Dried Sweet Woodruff:
- Storage: Place the dried Sweet Woodruff in airtight containers to protect the aroma and keep out moisture and pests. Use glass containers with a tight seal. Tea Tins are particularly suitable.
- Location: Store the dried Sweet Woodruff in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A cupboard or pantry that is not exposed to direct sunlight is ideal.
- Shelf life: Properly dried and stored Sweet Woodruff can retain its flavors for up to a year. However, check occasionally for signs of moisture or mold and preferably use the Sweet Woodruff within the first six months for the best flavor.
Conclusion
Whether as a refreshing tea, as Sweet Woodruff syrup or as an aromatic addition to desserts – Sweet Woodruff enriches our cuisine and our well-being in a unique way. In another article, you can find a detailed recipe for preparing and refining Sweet Woodruff tea and find out more about the healthy effects of woodruff tea.
In this article, you have learned how to recognize the plant and how to harvest Sweet Woodruff correctly before it flowers. Now, with a bit of luck and at the right timimg, you can discover, harvest and enjoy Sweet Woodruff yourself in many deciduous forests. If you have missed the right time, get high-quality dried woodruff here!
Feel free to share your experiences, own recipes or tips in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to harvest sweet woodruff is in late spring, just before the plant flowers, usually in April or May, depending on your location and weather conditions.
It is not recommended to harvest Sweet Woodruff after flowering, as the coumarin content rises sharply as soon as the plant flowers. This can not only affect the flavor of the tea, but also increase health risks if consumed in excess. For the best taste and to minimize health concerns, you should harvest before the flowering period.
Drying Sweet Woodruff intensifies its aroma. Fresh Sweet Woodruff leaves contain coumarin in a precursor stage, which is only converted into the aromatic coumarin by drying. Drying not only intensifies the aroma, but also makes it easier to store and use Sweet Woodruff over a longer period of time.
Sweet Woodruff has many uses. In addition to its popular use in tea, Sweet Woodruff can also be used to flavor syrups, jellies or desserts. It can also be combined well with other herbs to create refreshing drinks or cocktails.
