Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the oldest flowers that grows in temperate climates around the world. The name ‘dandelion’ comes from the Old French dens leonis , which translates to “lion’s tooth,” a direct reference to the flower’s indented leaf pattern.

A long time ago, it was very common for families to gather dandelions in spring, and make light summertime wine. They would harvest the flowers in April or May, add spices, fruit, berries, sugar and yeast, and ferment the mixture for several months. Recipes vary widely in the list of ingredients that can be used for making dandelion wine, and depending on the process, it can be aged anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 years.