In the Caribbean, the popular terms are hibiscus or sorrel, as it is made from the hibiscus sabdariffa flower. The plant is native to India, but can grow as an annual in all climates. The fleshy, red calyxes that surround the base of the flowers are what we brew to make sorrel, the drink.
Is sorrel a fruit?
Sorrel is a type of leafy green used as an herb and a vegetable.
What type of flower is sorrel?
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock (‘dock’ being a common name for the genus Rumex).
Does sorrel have a flower?
Common sorrel is a perennial with arrow-shaped leaves that grow from the stem at the base of the plant. Reddish flowers are carried on slender spikes.
Can you eat sorrel flower?
Yellow wood sorrel is also known as sour grass because its leaves have a mildly sour taste. In fact, every part o this flower, including the leaves, flowers, and seed pods, are edible. Sorrel is a common addition to salads, soups, and sauces and can be used to make tea.
What is sorrel flower good for?
Sorrel is used for reducing sudden and ongoing pain and swelling (inflammation) of the nasal passages and respiratory tract, for treating bacterial infections along with conventional medicines, and for increasing urine flow (as a diuretic). Sorrel is also an ingredient in the herbal cancer treatment Essiac.
Is sorrel a herb or vegetable?
Sorrel is really an herb, and its spade-shape leaves, which closely resemble young spinach, are often sold in small bunches in the herb section of markets. In France, sorrel is a familiar sign of spring. Chefs use it to make pureed soups or tart sauces for rich fish like salmon.
Is sorrel fruit edible?
They have a fresh, lemony flavour that makes them perfect for mixed salads. In South Australia, wood sorrel is known as ‘soursob’ and is a common snack for children on their way to school.
Can you eat sorrel raw?
If you’ve never tried sorrel, be prepared to pucker up. This spring green is packed with potent astringency and a lemony, citrus-like flavor. It bump up the acidic quality of salads (just use less vinegar or lemon juice), and is great eaten raw.
Is sorrel a herb?
These perennial herbs are grown for their tangy, slightly citrusy tasting leaves that are perfect for adding a kick to salads, sauces and egg dishes, or to make a classic potage Germiny or cream of sorrel soup.
Does garden sorrel flower?
Sorrel is a leafy green vegetable grown for its pleasantly tart, lemony flavor. The plants have smooth to crinkled, arrow-shaped leaves that grow from a center rosette. The plant will send up a tall flower stalk as the temperature warms, but it’s best to remove this to promote leaf growth for a better harvest.
How long does sorrel take to flower?
This beautiful sorrel, with bright green leaves and red veins and stems, is prized for its edible baby leaves and also as an ornamental plant. It takes 40 to 60 days to mature from sowing.
Can you eat garden sorrel?
You can also use raw sorrel leaves like you would an herb: chopped up and added to legumes or eggs, or as an addition to yogurt or sour cream as a refreshing, lemony dip. Cooking reduces sorrel’s oxalic acid content, and it also makes the leaves soft and rich and delicious, like really good spinach.
Who should not eat sorrel?
Speak with a healthcare professional before using sorrel if you have ever had or are at risk of getting kidney stones. Surgery: Sorrel can slow blood clotting. This might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using sorrel at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
What is the difference between Hibiscus and sorrel?
In the Caribbean, the popular terms are hibiscus or sorrel, as it is made from the hibiscus sabdariffa flower. The plant is native to India, but can grow as an annual in all climates. The fleshy, red calyxes that surround the base of the flowers are what we brew to make sorrel, the drink.
What types of sorrel are edible?
The two most popular varieties of sorrel for veggie gardeners are English (garden) sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus). Both have a citrusy taste that makes them excellent for cooking.
Does sorrel lower blood sugar?
Flavonoids in Sorrel:
It helps to lower blood sugar. It helps decrease the cholesterol of ‘poor cholesterol’ or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and boost ‘healthy cholesterol’ or high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Does sorrel cause high blood pressure?
Sorrel is no slouch in the nutritional department either. It’s full of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. It also has key B-vitamins like niacin and folic acid, and can lower blood pressure.
What are the side effects of sorrel?
Wood sorrel is UNSAFE, especially when used when used in higher doses. Wood sorrel can cause diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, skin reactions, stomach and intestine irritation, eye damage, and kidney damage. Swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat can make speaking and breathing difficult.
Can you eat sorrel seeds?
Along with the fruit, calyces, and flowers, the leaves of red sorrel are also edible. They have a rhubarblike taste and are served in salads and curries. The seeds likewise may be eaten; they are best roasted or ground to make flour for baking.
Can dogs eat sorrel?
The plant can affect dogs’ if ingested, due to the insoluble calcium oxalates within the parts of the plant. Garden sorrel does not have as high of a concentration of these crystals as many other toxic, raphide-containing plants, but can cause irritation and pain when ingested by dogs in large amounts.