Now Forage

There are some cleavers on the right hand side of the path as you head into the woods. There are thickly tangled up in grass and whatnot at the foot of some trees. Cleavers was once used as a potherb. It was a useful plant in Medieval kitchens because it could be picked in frost or snow. The plant’s hook-like bristles soften when boiled. Its chopped leaves and stem can be made into soups and stews. The tender shoots can be boiled and buttered as a vegetable. Cleavers belongs to the coffee family and its seeds have been ground to make cleavers coffee.