Nettle power - sneak peek

At this time of year, green shoots start to appear just about everywhere, and while the emergence of most of them is celebrated, those that sting us tend to be cursed. So when we took a closer look at the much-maligned stinging nettle, we were surprised to discover a multitude of redeeming qualities. This 'beautiful on the inside' plant has far more to offer than its stinging spines would suggest.

Extract from Issue Three:

YOU’VE ALL been there. It’s a warm spring day and you set off on a walk, breathing in the fresh, green aromas of the reawakening world and enjoying the sun on your legs after so many months cooped up. Just as you’re feeling that nothing could spoil the perfection of the natural world in spring, you find your way overgrown with plants that often seem very far from perfect – stinging, sprawling, ugly nettles.

However, we should be celebrating this prolific weed, not cursing it - after all, one person’s ruined walk is another person’s free lunch. Any nature-lover, foodie or nutrition-nerd worth their salt will tell you that beneath their prickly exteriors, nettles have a soft, delicious and nutritious centre. So next time you head off on a spring walk, tuck some gloves in your pocket and get harvesting.

See Issue Three for full article. Includes nettle recipes by Ellie Bedford and Ceri Jones.