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Nettle Seeds: Harvesting and Drying

Harvesting nettle seeds is not difficult. All you need to know is the plant and when it blooms and matures. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about harvesting and drying.

Harvesting nettle seeds: You should pay attention to this

Nettle seeds are easy to harvest. However, you should know the right time to do so.

  • Nettle blooms between July and October. When the flowers have faded, seeds form in these places. These look like little bunches of grapes.
  • If you discover the seeds on the plant, you can harvest them. Some plants form seeds between August and October. Since the ripening time of the seeds depends on the weather, region and soil conditions, the harvest time can differ.
  • If the nettle seeds are green, they are still immature. The brown ones, on the other hand, are already ripe. However, you can both collect and eat. These are female seeds.
  • The male seeds, on the other hand, are white and stand out laterally. You should not collect them as they are of no benefit to your health and are only intended for the propagation of the plant.
  • Gather the Green Seeds if you want to use them right away. The brown ones, on the other hand, are better suited for drying.

This is the best way to collect nettle seeds

If you want to collect the nettle seeds, it is best to do this at midday on a clear, sunny day. At this time of day the seeds are dry and will not go moldy.

  • It is best to collect the seeds of the nettle plant between midday and early afternoon. At this time, the seeds contain the most concentration of nutrients.
  • Take a container, like a can or cardboard box, and line it with kitchen paper.
  • Cut the nettle stalks and place them in the container. Try not to shake them.

How to dry nettle seeds

Once you have collected the nettle seeds, continue as follows:

  • Place the container of nettle stalks in a warm, dry place. Make sure the air is dry and can get to the nettle stalks.
  • Gradually, the nettle seeds will detach from the stems as soon as the seeds are dry.
  • Let the seeds dry for three days. Then carefully detach the seeds from the stems. It is best to knead them with your hands. It is best to use gloves for this.
  • Sift through the plant parts. It is best to let them air dry for a day. Store in an airtight container. They can be kept for a maximum of three months.

Nettle seeds FAQs

How do I dry nettle seeds?

Tip: if you are in a hurry, you can dry the seeds in the oven : line a baking sheet with baking paper, place in the oven heated to the lowest setting (35/40 degrees), put a wooden spoon in the door of a tightly closing oven so that the moisture can escape, let it warm up for a while.

How do I process nettle seeds?

Nettle seeds can be mixed into (green) smoothies or made into a pesto. You can also use them to bake a delicious seed bread or prepare a quiche. The crushed seeds can also be sprinkled over salads, soups or sauces.

When can nettle seeds be harvested?

nettle seeds. What is matcha for some is nettle seeds for us. This super-superfood is actually completely free and can be harvested almost anywhere from August to October – sometimes even November.

How do you harvest nettle correctly?

Gardening gloves are best. If you don’t have gloves at hand and aren’t afraid of touching the nettle and its burning hairs, you can proceed boldly without gloves. You should make sure that you pick the leaves from the bottom up.

How do you recognize ripe nettle seeds?

If the first seeds form and they are already hanging down due to their weight, they can theoretically already be harvested. However, they are only fully ripe when they turn slightly brown. Seeds that are still green are edible, but comparable to unripe young nuts.

Can you dry nettle in the oven?

2-3 weeks ago I scalded nettle, dried it, chopped it up with Cyclopeeze and algae tabs (with the shaker attachment of my blender), then added some water to get a mass. I smeared them on baking paper and let them dry in the oven at 50°.

What are nettle seeds good for?

it has a purifying and draining effect. helps with rheumatism and hair loss. In addition, they are said to have a special fertility-enhancing and aphrodisiac effect ….. for this reason, nuns and monks were forbidden to eat nettle seeds in the Middle Ages.

Why are nettle seeds so healthy?

In addition, nettle seeds convince with their high content of many important vitamins, such as vitamins A, B, C and E. Other rich ingredients of nettle seeds are minerals such as potassium, iron and calcium. The seeds are also not lacking in carotenoids and chlorophyll.

When does the nettle stop burning?

For the brave and plant lovers, there’s this tip: stinging nettles don’t burn if you stroke them from bottom to top. Touched in this direction, the tips of the stinging hairs do not break off. They only do this if you touch them against the grain – i.e. from top to bottom.

Can you eat male nettle seeds?

They later turn brown, while the male seeds are round, white and stick out to the side. The female seeds, which can be found until mid-November , are more suitable as a superfood . You can harvest them green or when they are already brown.

What is in nettle seeds?

Vitamin Value per 100g
Vitamin A (Retinol equivalent) 400 μg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 200 μg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 150 μg
Niacin (Vitamin B3) 800 μg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) 300 μg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxin) 160 μg
Biotin (Vitamin B7) 0,5 μg
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) 30 μg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Vitamin C 333000 μg
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) 800 μg
Vitamin K

Can you eat green nettle seeds?

The dry seeds are a tasty and healthy addition to many dishes. They taste slightly nutty and can be wonderfully mixed with salads, muesli, sauces, herbal quark and other dishes. For most applications, using whole seeds is sufficient.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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