Author Topic: Hymalayan balsam (Read 4828 times)

Bionic · « **on:** August 21, 2013, 02:08:50 pm »

I wasn't sure where to post this but as a friend told me that HB tastes like rhubarb I thought I would put it in fruit.
Apparently you can eat all parts of the plant and the seed pods taste nutty.
Has anyone tried eating it and if so what did you do with it and how did it taste?

Bert · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2013, 02:39:00 pm »

I didn't know you could eat that horrible invasive monster

So I'm no help to you at all

I've spent far to many hour cutting that stuff down to want to eat it. The stems hold a lot of water and the seed pod will take your eye out given half the chance as they explode .Bees like it but apparently it make very poor honey ( watery), I don't know how true that is. You must let us know what it's like when you try it

Bionic · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2013, 03:52:32 pm »

We think the honey we got last year was from the HB and that was lovely, quite mild which I like.

ddangus · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2013, 06:16:42 pm »

According to a imho trustworthy site it is edible but should not be consumed in large quantities.
See more details on link below
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Impatiens+glandulifera

For an extensive list of recipes ( you might have to grow about an acre to try them all ) see this link:

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/ancient/wild-food-entry.php?term=Himalayan%20Balsam

again this page advise to cook before use to destroy calcium oxalate also present in rhubarb and the reason why eating raw rhubarb leaves is a bad idea.

DD

Bionic · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2013, 07:20:58 pm »

Wow, that second link is fantastic, thanks dd
There are a huge range of recipes. I partiaularly like the things you can use the seeds for. Interesting that they taste like nuts but are a good substitute for someone with a nut allergy.
I will have to give the recipes a closer look and decide to make something.

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:56:47 pm »

It is rather pretty - a bit like sweet peas.

jaykay · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:59:45 pm »

Will have to try it.

The kids at school spent weeks pulling the stuff out of the local riverbank this summer, for their community service. Well, as well as making mud pies, pushing each other in the beck etc. I gather

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2013, 10:14:41 pm »

Quote from: Mad Goatwoman of Madeley on August 21, 2013, 09:56:47 pm

It is rather pretty - a bit like sweet peas.

Many of the rogue plants are pretty, aren't they? Ragwort's another.

Backinwellies · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2013, 09:32:31 am »

beware of allowing it to flower ... it will take over .... and I dont htink you will be thanked ... see link...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/himalayan-balsam-call-the-marines-itsan-alien-plant-invasion-8723024.html

Bionic · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2013, 10:18:57 am »

Linda,
You are too late. It has already taken over here. The consolation is that the bees love it.

Oly · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:15:13 pm »

Just make sure you don't get Japanese Knotweed...many mortgage companies are now refusing to provide mortgages even if it's within 50m of your house on someone elses land! Injecting is very good at "killing" it, but a tiny part of root can be dormant for 25 years buried 3m deep before it surfaces again!