Making Dandelion Wine

Some plants have always been thought of as weeds and we've sprayed to eradicate them, but they are actually very good for us.  A few years ago, I learned that dandelions are very healthy to consume.  Here is a website about the benefits of dandelion plants - and the best part is that you can consume the leaves, flowers and even the roots:  11-health-benefits-of-dandelion-and-dandelion-root/

While living in Columbia, I would have loved to try to make dandelion wine but since we sprayed our lawn, I never felt it was safe.  Here on the farm, I know these plants are safe to consume, so I dove into the project.

I don't know how we all would live today without YouTube.  I searched for a recipe for the wine and decided to use the link I attached; however, there are several to choose from. I just thought Erin was funny and she made it look very easy: Erin Bried - Dandelion Wine.  I decided to start small and make only one batch this spring.  We have  LOTS of dandelions up here all summer and if the wine, which should be ready late July, tastes good I'll gather more and make much bigger batch in early August.  Hopefully that batch will last us all winter.

It didn't take long in our yard to pick 2 quarts of just flower tops.  I rinsed them good, making sure no bugs had hitched a ride and poured boiling water on them to create a tea.  After letting them steep for three days, I strained the flowers out using cheese cloth (always have on hand from making cheese).  I squeezed the lump of flowers in the cheese cloth to get all the liquid out in order to get the best part of the dandelion, then added the sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and the yeast mixture.

Once all that is stirred well, I poured it into a big gallon jug...and two extra recycled wine bottles, topped them with balloons, and set them in our pantry to ferment.     

You can see that Mark or I check them twice daily as we have to release the pressure out of the balloons or them will pop - it builds up quickly.  In six weeks, we should have wine!  I'll let you know how my first attempt at wine making turns out.

Always remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained!   And what you gain can be VERY tasty!!!