There's something about prehistoric plants that give me the shudders. I love the idea of these plants preceding humans on this planet. The presence of magnolias (Magnoliaceae family) recorded to be at least 20 million years old and plants in the same family being up to 95 million years old. Mind blowing!
In this blog I explore questions such as; are all magnolias edible, which ones taste the best and how to use magnolias in recipes and drinks. I share 4 magnolia recipes, lots of tips from my fellow professional foragers and a few small digressions on the way!
Are Magnolias really a wild food?
Here in the UK I come across Magnolias in parks, gardens and street corners. They are native to areas such as North, Central and South America, as well as Sri Lanka parts of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan and Korea.
Although here, they are cultivated and planted, all cultivated plants have their origins in the wild, and this plant goes way, way back.
Last year I visit the Fossil Garden in a small town in North Wales, created by Robbie Blackhall-Miles and his partner. This small, town house garden is completely dedicated to plants with a fossil record and millions of years old. Many endangered and varying from small mosses to large ferns and trees. There was no magnolia in the garden - it isn't endangered - but it was amazing to stand amongst plants with such a long history.
I digress. Though if you find yourself in Snowdonia, or would like to support such a project, do look up the FossilPlants Garden.
Appreciating age, form and colour
I also love the shape, colour and overall presence of magnolias. These large, bold flowers are rather magnificent I think, which is great when it comes to thinking about presenting them as food. Or you could paint them! To celebrate them I've painted them on the entrance up to my cottage (another small digression).
Are all Magnolias edible and which are the best ones?
I love Kim Walker's (from Homemade Apothecary) and ethnobotanist Harriet Gendall's chart and exploration into the edible and best tasting magnolia petals. Charting their taste according to flavours of; floral, cardamon, cucumber, citrus, chilli and ginger is fantastic research! Do take a look at their list of edible magnolia species.
Discussing magnolia as a wild food with other foraging colleagues, Magnolia grandiflora came out as one of the favoured varieties and to avoid smaller varieties such as Magnolia stellata (Mark Williams of Galloway Wild Foods). More bitter flavoured petals reduce in bitterness when dried (John Rensten of ForageLondon), though do bear in mind that;
IT IS NOT A GIVEN THAT ALL MAGNOLIAS are edible, so do taste with caution, or check out this list of known edible species (thanks Kim).
To summarise, the darker pinks and mix of white and pink will have the strongest flavours, and think of magnolia as a condiment, i.e. small amounts and don't over do it.
How to use Magnolias as food
I've recently been on a spurge of Japanese and Chinese influenced wild food cooking. Experimenting with delights such as Cherry Blossom. It felt natural to look towards cultures where this plant is native for recipe ideas for Magnolias.
There are many ways to use this plant;
- Herbal tea
- Salad
- Pickle
- Dried as a spice
Magnolia Petal Tea
Pop a few petals in a teapot, pour on boiling water and leave to brew for 10 minutes. The flavour is subtle but quite pleasant.
Magnolia Petals raw as salad
If you are excited about the eating the colour of magnolia petals then using them fresh and raw is the way to go!
Those lovely, thick and curved petals are also a great substitute for an edible plate or mini canape base. Fellow forager Craig (Edible Leeds) suggests going for subtle flavours; thin strips of carrot, cucumber and pepper either naked or with a soy sauce and ginger dressing. I dream of filling mine with fresh crab (the joys of living by the coast).
Pickled Magnolia Petals
This recipe is a wonderful way to preserve magnolia petals and enjoy them all year round. Unfortunately, the petals will turn brown (so you won't preserve the colour), but the flavour is similar to pickled ginger and is great added to salads or with sushi.
Robin (Eatweeds) calls this recipe 'exquisite'. I've reduced the sugar and tweaked his recipe a smidgen, but the results were still gorgeous.
Ingredients
- 75 g magnolia petals
- 100 g rice vinegar (or mild vinegar like white wine vinegar)
- 35 g granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
Pick magnolia petals that are ready to drop from the tree. Pack into a jar. In a small saucepan, heat the vinegar, sugar and salt. Stir to help the sugar dissolve and heat till steaming and the first tiny bubbles appear. Pour over the petals and leave to cool before covering. Leave to steep for a week before using.
Magnolia as a Spice
Drying magnolia petals is another way of preserving the flavour and bringing out tastes tones of, what I can only describe as cardamon-ish. Though the flavour also changes in time and will vary depending on the species of magnolia.
Once you get over that beautiful loss of colour, you can discover the joys of this surprising spice! Fellow forager John uses it in a wild jerk mix, Mark in wild parkin, and Lisa in a wild chai blend. Check out John's book Edible City for a magnolia chai recipe. The possibilities are endless.
I simply use it to flavour rice, a ground teaspoon cooked in a 1-2 person rice portion.
More magnolia recipe ideas
Like any ingredient, these recipes are just the beginning. If you start to experiment with magnolia you will discover the right amounts that you prefer and will be able to explore the full potential of this food source. Ru Kenton (London Wild Fruits) has even made wine from the petals and a sorbet paired with melon!
Disclaimer - Magnolia has been a new 'wild' food for me to explore. I have referred here to many colleagues who have experimented with it successfully. Feel free to go through the blog and click on the links to get in touch with them for more info.
As a seasoned enthusiast with a profound understanding of wild foods, foraging, and ethnobotany, I find the exploration of prehistoric plants, such as magnolias, particularly fascinating. My extensive background includes hands-on experience in foraging, collaborating with professional foragers, and delving into ethnobotanical studies. I've also engaged in wild food cooking with a focus on Japanese and Chinese influences, experimenting with diverse botanical ingredients like Cherry Blossom. Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
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Magnolia's Ancient Roots:
- The article highlights the longevity of magnolias, mentioning the Magnoliaceae family's presence for at least 20 million years and some plants within the family dating back up to 95 million years. This underscores the prehistoric nature of magnolias, connecting them to an ancient era preceding humans on Earth.
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Geographical Distribution:
- Magnolias are discussed in the context of their global distribution. They are native to regions including North, Central, and South America, Sri Lanka, parts of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Korea. In the UK, magnolias are found in parks, gardens, and street corners, emphasizing their cultivated presence while acknowledging their wild origins.
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Fossil Garden Visit:
- The author recounts a visit to the Fossil Garden in North Wales, dedicated to plants with a fossil record spanning millions of years. Although magnolias weren't present, the experience showcases the appreciation for plants with deep historical roots and the importance of preserving endangered species.
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Aesthetic Appreciation:
- The article expresses admiration for the shape, color, and overall presence of magnolias, particularly their large and bold flowers. The author even incorporates them into art, having painted magnolias on the entrance to their cottage, reflecting a personal and artistic appreciation for these plants.
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Edibility and Taste of Magnolias:
- The central theme revolves around the edibility of magnolias, discussing whether all magnolias are edible and highlighting a chart by Kim Walker and ethnobotanist Harriet Gendall. The taste of magnolia petals is categorized into flavors such as floral, cardamom, cucumber, citrus, chili, and ginger. Specific species, like Magnolia grandiflora, are recommended for their favorable taste, while caution is advised due to variations in bitterness.
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Culinary Uses:
- The article provides four recipes for using magnolias in culinary applications:
- Magnolia Petal Tea: Brewing magnolia petals in hot water for a subtle and pleasant tea.
- Magnolia Petals Raw in Salad: Using fresh magnolia petals as an edible plate or canapé base in salads.
- Pickled Magnolia Petals: A recipe to preserve magnolia petals with a flavor similar to pickled ginger.
- Magnolia as a Spice: Drying magnolia petals to preserve their flavor and using them as a spice in various dishes.
- The article provides four recipes for using magnolias in culinary applications:
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Recipe Variations and Exploration:
- The article encourages experimentation with magnolia in cooking, suggesting that the provided recipes are just the beginning. Mention is made of colleagues who have made wine from magnolia petals and created sorbets paired with melon, showcasing the diverse culinary possibilities of this wild food.
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Disclaimer:
- The author issues a disclaimer, acknowledging that magnolia is a new "wild" food for them, and they have relied on the experiences of colleagues. The audience is encouraged to explore the blog further and click on links to connect with these colleagues for additional information.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide to magnolias, covering their ancient origins, geographical distribution, aesthetic qualities, edibility, and various culinary applications. The author's hands-on experience and collaboration with fellow foragers add credibility to the information presented.
