Brennessel

Brennessel (Urtica dioica) is the German word for "stinging nettle" or "nettle". In Germany, they are mostly found in the wild, but there are already some which are sold in the farmers markets. Brennessel leaves are made into a soup called Brennesselsuppe, and also made into other dishes like Brennesselgratin, Brennesselsalat, etc. There is also a tea made from Brennessel. Brennessel is also known in German as Brennesselkraut or Haarnesselkraut. In French it is known as Ortie and in English it is called Nettle or Stinging Nettle. In my own garden here in Germany, there are so many Brennessels which just come out every spring. There are so many, however my husband does not known how to eat them. But some people, particularly those who live near the mountains loves the Brennessel very much especially when made into a soup. It is a pity that there are so many wild plants around my garden which I can not use at all because I am afraid that I have not much knowledge on how to use them properly, besides, I saw on TV that it is hard to recognize Brennessel from the many similar wild plants sprouting during spring. Today, I will try to search some in my garden only for photo session.