Now Forage

Blackberry: Fully black (not red or dark red) and comes off the stem with no resistance — zero pull. Dull rather than shiny; a shiny black berry is still slightly underripe and tart. Eat the same day for best flavour.

Chestnut: Spiny green burs split open to reveal 2–3 shiny brown chestnuts. Gather from the ground after they fall. Must be cooked (roasted, boiled, or ground into flour) — toxic raw in large quantities. Peel the papery inner skin after cooking.

Common hazel: Husk browns and pulls back; nuts shake free. Gather daily from the ground before squirrels. Dry well before storing.

Wine raspberry: Deep red, sticky, wine-flavoured. Ripe when dark red and separates easily from the stem. Good raw or for making wine and jam.