TARRAGON & THYME

I thought I would give this beer a go; it seems very popular in certain areas so I am going to have a go simply to find out what all the fuss is about. Its a recipe I have had for a while - I am not sure where it originally comes from, but it seems fairly simple and seems to be a traditional beer recipe utlising fresh yeast. I also thought that if I actually liked it, it would give me chance to make some more and perhaps have a few bottles put up for Christmas. And if I don't like it - well I just won't make it again. Ingredients required: 2lb nettle tops (the top two inches of the plant) * 1 gallon/8 pints water 8oz sugar (Brown or Demerara)(*) 0.25oz fresh yeast Small piece of toast 0.25oz Powdered ginger or a small piece of fresh or dried root ginger. *When picking nettles I only ever use the top two inches of the plant and only pick until May as from June onwards the plant becomes more bitter (oxalic acid) (*) In a lot of beer recipes home brewers have been using powdered g...

Why do people eat nettles? There is a very good reason why people used to eat nettles are starting to do so again. Methods of preserving used to rely very heavily on salt to preserve meat etc. After many months during the winter months of eating salted foods, the nettle was seen as a natural purgative to the system getting rid of all the nasties out of your system after months of eating in this way. Nettles were seen as being good for you and a natural restorative to the bodies normal functioning. They also help boost the immune system. Being as I have a wonky immune system I thought that this might be one way to help myself by eating rather than self-medicating. Nettles are good for detoxifying your system naturally. My grandfather knew a lot about herbs. One of his nick names was herby. There is an extensive history on both my paternal grandparents' families of arthritis and also on my mum's side of the family as well. Each Spring my Granddad used to flay himself with nettle...