Chickweed (Stellaria media) is one of our most common, useful weeds in Pennsylvania. The plant is well known as a nutritious, delicious, tender salad green high in vitamins, minerals and protein; a smooth, soothing cooler of fevers, congestion, infection and inflammation; a tool for weight loss. And as Susun Weeds says, a medicinal “joint oiler” …
This class is available for private and group scheduling, at your place or mine. Contact me to plan and schedule by calling 610-389-8316 or emailing kpalcho@gmail.com. This is a great class to follow up Edible Weed Walk and Foraging-after learning to identify, you can learn to use your plants. Learn to make simple herbal extracts …
Introduction to Herbal Extracts for Body Care, Culinary, and Medicinal Purposes Read More »
Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta and Cardamine pensylvanica) is one of the best early spring greens in eastern PA. It is one of over 150 similar species which grow all over the world. The genus Cardamine is in the mustard family, known as Cruciferae or Brassica. So, the plant has a mustard, horseradish, or pepper flavor and …
Learn how to identify, use, and appreciate the common weeds of eastern Pennsylvania. “Weeds” are some of the most safe, nutritious, and valuable of all plants. Join me in a videos and posts about my seasonally changing search for wild plants such as mustard, violet, bittercress, watercress, chickweed, dandelion, nettle, false nettle, self-heal, burdock, milkweed, …
Dandelion Weed Walk Video and Recipe for Dandelion Wine Read More »
Tortillas and dry beans are having a boom as people scramble to fill larders with healthy, easily-stored food during the pandemic. The ancient knowledge about their nutritional value has waxed and waned through various times in history. It’s great that corn and beans are flying off the shelves in Berks. I wonder if today’s tortilla …
Corn and Beans-a nutritional powerhouse with nixtamalization Read More »
Salt is everywhere on earth. In the oceans, inside the earth, in our food and in our bodies. It is essential to life, and it plays a central role in fermentation. Many people struggle to consume less salt because it can cause high blood pressure. But our bodies require some salt. Along with some fun …
Winter brings many changes to Berks County. I like the cold, crisp clarity, the brilliant night sky, the way you can see such a distance through the woods to far landscapes. But it also brings cracked, dry, sore hands and skin. This is the time of year when I begin making herbal Balms and Salves. …
Berks County is home to an amazing number of talented commercial fermenters making everything from bread, cheese, vegetables and meats to beer, wine and kombucha. Let me introduce you to one of our cheesemakers. I met Stefanie Angstadt three years ago when I moved to the Oley Valley. One of my first thrills was to …
Interview with Oley Cheesemaker Stefanie Angstadt of Valley Milkhouse, Oley, PA. Read More »
In 2011, I sold Karen’s Botanicals, a plant-based herbal products company and I wanted to start a new business. I had been homebrewing for several years, the craft beer revolution was well under way, and I had fallen in love with the unique flavors being created by small, independent breweries. I changed the plant ingredients …
I would like to introduce you to some of the most amazing and unseen critters on earth. They are the natural yeast and bacteria who are responsible for fermentation. I call them critters because they are tiny organisms and they are very friendly and helpful. You can see them only under a microscope, but they …
The Friendly Critters Behind Fermented Condiments and Worcestershire Sauce. Read More »
kpalcho@gmail.com | (610) 389-8316 | Fleetwood, PA
Serving the greater Philadelphia and Reading, PA regions
All photos courtesy of Karen