You may not want to grow this plant in your garden but the next time you come by a nettle patch why not make a tea or a delicious soup.  Wear gloves and cut the tops with a scissor.  You only need to cut the top 4-6 leaves.  Some tops may have seed heads, leave these plants to ensure next year's nettle patch.  Nettles are rich in minerals including iron, vitamin C, serotonin and calcium.  No need to worry about stinging your throat as the heat inactivate the stingers making it safe to eat. 

To make a soup fry some onion and garlic until soft.  Add stock with potato and carrots.  Once soft add washed nettle tops.  Nettles reduce in size much like spinach, so no need to cook them too long.  Once soft take off the heat and use a hand blender to end up with a delicious looking and tasting soup.  Feel free to modify this basic recipe to fit your taste buds.

Other recipes include Nettle Vinegar and Nettle Hairwash.  Contact us for more information.