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- Hawthorn ketchup – an autumnal treat
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- Mugwort-infused hot chocolates
Amy moved to Herne Bay from Essex nine years ago. She volunteers with Herne Bay In Bloom, and in her spare time she runs Forth and Forage, a Facebook page devoted to her foraging exploits.
CommunityAd caught up with Amy to discover the surprising similarities between carrots and a deadly poison.
How did you become interested in foraging?
There are fond early memories of foraging plums with my family. The joys of berry-stained hands and eating more blackberries than make it home. I have always enjoyed walking and switching off from the modern world. Simply paying more attention to the common plants on walks and finding out a little about them opened up the world of wild foods, medicines and useful plants. One of the most fascinating things is that our own gardens and managed outdoors spaces are full of wild food. It’s not all about tromping the woods in your wellies!
How did you start sharing your knowledge on social media?
I set up the Forth and Forage Facebook page because there wasn’t a Kent-specific foraging page or group that I could find – the closest was South London! Especially in the Kent coastal environment we have a bit of a micro-climate. UK-wide social media groups are great, but can feel a bit out of sync when foragers from Nottingham are posting their elderflower haul, and our trees finished flowering three weeks ago. We also have some regional specialists such as alexanders – a member of the carrot family which is entirely edible from root to (spicy!) seeds.
While I’m more than happy to share my finds, recipes and tips on what’s in season, it’s been brilliant to see locals posting, asking questions and getting involved as the page was created for anyone local and with an interest in wild food.
What is your favourite part of foraging?
I love that foraging is an ongoing journey and nature can always surprise you. Whether it’s your first forage or your thousandth there is always something new to discover. In a world where the seasons sometimes do as they wish, it pays to be on your toes. ‘Spring’ garlic plants in December are not uncommon.
What is the most exciting or tasty thing you’ve foraged in Herne Bay?
It’s impossible to pick! Catch the humble bramble leaf early enough in spring and it’s beautifully tender with a hint of coconut. The carrots (umbellifers) are my favourite family to forage on the Herne Bay downs. The flavours of their seeds range from sweet cardamom to bitter orange and Szechuan pepper. Yes, really. Spices without food miles are available on our doorstep. A word of caution, the carrot family also contains toxic species such as poison hemlock, so you must be 100% sure of your ID before taking a nibble.
What resources and advice would you recommend for someone interested in starting foraging in their local area?
I have the following tips to start foraging safely and sustainably:
- Use at least three features of the plant to identify it (e.g. leaf shape, scent, number of petals)
- Be 100% sure of your ID before taking a nibble
- Search for any toxic lookalikes – Google will know!
- Only forage a plant where it is truly abundant. Forage small amounts from multiple plants
- Research the plant and its value to wildlife
- Plant your favourite wild food species in your garden
- Share your love and knowledge with others! The more people care about our wild places, the easier it is to protect them.
With the wealth of information online, I can recommend the Wild Food UK’s ‘Hedgerow Guide’ as an excellent starting point. While it can be tempting to buy some shiny new foraging books, be on the lookout for pocket guides to identify native trees and flowers. It’s often much easier to identify plants using a field guide with lots of photos and illustrations than a foraging book which can focus more on the uses and recipes.
Wishing you all the best on your foraging journey and feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you’d like to take a wild food tour in Herne Bay!