It’s Spring, and from now until Fall we will all have an overload of dandelions spreading across our yards. It’s okay to mow over them or spray but I have a better idea for you: learn to preserve them in your kitchen. Dandelions have so many medicinal purposes, and I don’t just mean the flower. Every part of the dandelion is edible. The flowers, the leaves, and the roots are all packed with nutrients and vitamins. Learning to preserve dandelions provides you a natural way to consume a multitude of vitamins. They are also known to help with a lot of health issues and reduce the chances of many more health issues! I can’t rave about them enough and so without further ado. There is a million ways to use, prepare and preserve this plant but this is the easiest and best way to preserve the whole dandelion.
The best way to preserve dandelions: through dehydration.
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Forewarning on Picking Dandelions
Never pick and consume dandelions if they have been sprayed. If you are not sure if they have been sprayed do not pick and consume them. Be careful of picking any that any animal may have soiled around. Overall search for animal fece free zones that you know for a fact have not been sprayed. For example I picked all of them from my backyard. I know none of our animals go into that yard and I don’t spray. With this aside let me share with you the easy way I preserved this batch of dandelion.
Preparing and Cleaning the Dandelions
After you have picked you batch of dandelions it’s important to clean each part thoroughly. I did this by separating the heads from the stems, the leaves from the stem and roots, and the roots from the stem. Throw away the stem and base of the leaves (where they all connect). With all three parts sectioned off you can rinse them individually. Do this first by soaking them in a large bowl full of water. Then transfer them to a strainer and rinse them again with lots of water. Being sure to mix around the contents of the bowl to get every piece of dandelion cleaned. Once you get to the roots be sure to scrub them to make sure the dirt comes off.
For the tops, you are also going to cut off as much green as possible. You only want the yellow flower no green- the more green the more bitter. I left a small amount of green because I don’t mind but most people do. Once you’ve done this wash the same.
Bonus: if you have a shower setting to your sink use that, it’s generally more powerful to get all the dirt off each part of the dandelion.
Preserving Through Dehydration
As has been eluded to, the best way to preserve dandelions is through dehydration. Each part of the dandelion can be used for different purposes but my favorite way is by dehydration. Generally this is for the use of tea, but the flowers can also be used as a garnish, and the leaves in most meals. I use it all for tea to have a very nutrient dense cup created by God and preserved by my own hands. Let’s get into the process of dehydrating each part of the flower.
Dehydrating dandelion roots
Once they are thoroughly cleaned there is two ways to dehydrate this part of the dandelion weed. I used the oven but you can also use the dehydrator.
Amazon’s Choice Magic Mill Food Dehydrator
To dehydrate in the oven you simply preheat it to 250° Fahrenheit, and spread all of the roots out on a baking sheet. Place them in the oven setting a timer for three hours. Throughout this time take out the tray and check on each root. You will know they are done by snapping the roots. If they break it means they are dehydrated if not they need more time. Take out the pieces that are done.
Once they are all finished break them all into small pieces and lowering the temperature to 200° or lower put them all back in for around ten more minutes.
After they are all crispy and dehydrated you can crush them to a smaller size for tea. I used my food processor and it left them the perfect size. They are now done and can be placed in an airtight container and labeled. I put each part of the flower in a mason jar. I use this in my teas.
What I Use: Mueller 3-in-1 Blender and Food Processor
What I Use: 4OZ Ball Mason Jars (6 Pack w/ Lids)
You will also need a Sharpie or Permanent marker for labeling (here is one from Amazon).
Dehydrating The Leaves
Now on to the leaves. I do not use the oven for dehydrating any other part of the dandelion. I preserve them by using the dehydrator only. It is much easier on these portions of the plant.
Once you have rinsed and dried them thoroughly and gently. You can place the leaves down on each tray of the dehydrator. Do not pile them on, but set them all out evenly so they dry well.
After this come back every hour to check on them. Once they are totally dry you can crush into smaller pieces and put them in a jar for tea. You will know they are entirely done because they will be crispy enough to grind into smaller pieces. But if you are using for tea you may not want powder so I just use my hands to crush into smaller pieces.
Dehydrating the Flower Heads
After you have washed the flower heads in water it is time for them to go into the dehydrator. You can first gently dab them with a dry cloth to soak up any excess water before doing that. It’s harder to get them laid out in an even placement on the dehydrator but once you get to this point just try your best.
Following similar procedure at above watch the flowers until they are entirely dry to the touch. They will be crispy and you will feel that they hold no moisture any longer. I mean absolutely no moisture. It can be hard to do this by feel and touch but it gets easier as you do it more.
To ensure that you preserve dandelions correctly is to ensure each part is truly dehydrated. It’s generally not too difficult to tell.
After this I do not crush them in any way but take them and place them in a jar to use for tea later.
Once this is done you have successfully preserved the dandelion from top to bottom! It can feel tedious but it’s so worth having this natural remedy in your hands.
Hands down the best and easiest way to preserve dandelions! If you have any tips or tricks for preservation or how use your dandelions leave them below. God bless you all!
