Dandelion is unfairly persecuted by modern man.
This plant is considered the worst weed and they try to destroy it at all costs.
But our ancestors were wiser. They knew that this flower is an invaluable medicine and food product.
What are the benefits of dandelion?
In ancient times, dandelion leaves were used as food, and the entire plant was used to treat a variety of ailments, from sluggish digestion to relieving intoxication from snake bites.
All parts of the plant are equally healing: leaves, roots, flower baskets.
Flowers can be used to make not only tasty, but also healing jam, reminiscent of honey in taste and aroma.
Our grandmothers made this jam to use it as a tasty medicine in winter. After all, in addition to the useful substances from the petals, it contains pollen, which has very strong healing properties.
Dandelion jam is especially effective for colds and viral diseases, as it acts as an antipyretic, strengthens a weakened body, and treats coughs and sore throats.
But the most important thing is that it is an incredibly tasty product that can be added to porridge, desserts, and drinks instead of simple sugar.
There are several options for making jam.
Option one: minimal cooking
During flowering, you need to collect dandelion flowers, tear the petals out of the baskets, cover them with sugar, add a little water so that the sugar begins to melt. Leave for an hour. Then boil for 1-3 minutes and leave under the lid for a day.
After 24 hours, squeeze the petals through cheesecloth, boil the syrup for 3 minutes, pour into jars and close with lids. No need to roll up. You can store in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Sugar and petals are taken in approximately equal quantities.
Option two: raw
Place petals and sugar in layers of equal thickness in a glass jar. You can add a little water so that the sugar starts to melt. Close the jar and put it in a warm, dark place for 14 days.
You can squeeze out the petals or leave them in. Some people prefer syrup with petals instead of pure syrup.
This option is the most healing, since the dandelion is not subjected to heat treatment.
Option three: real jam
You need to prepare petals from 200 flower baskets. Pour two glasses of water and boil for 20 minutes. Leave for a day, strain.
Add 2 cups of sugar to the water and cook for 30 minutes. Pour into jars, let cool and cover with a lid. Store in a cool place.
In the old days, when there was no sugar, dandelion jam, like any other, was prepared with honey. Then it became even more useful.
