Dandelion Syrup

During early spring, there are dandelions everywhere and as little as we know about these pretty yellow flowers, they are considered as weed. Although dandelions are not great for our lawn, these beauties have abundant nutritional values and the whole plant is edible.

I love honey and we consume them regularly at home. From baking to serving with herbal tea. Although bee honey is plant-based and a cruel-free food choice, it is not vegan. I support environmentally friendly foods and the reason why I think it is worth giving this recipe a go was because this floral honey are packed with vitamins and minerals, and it is a fun activity with kids and fun to make!

If dandelions are not available, other nutritious edible flowers that you can use for this recipe are chamomile, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, calendula, marigold and marjoram or even a mixture of them!

I used Chinese brown rock sugar/slab sugar/peen tong (冰片糖) in this recipe as I like their caramel-like flavour, they are unrefined and made from concentrated sugarcane extract, the result of using this type of sugar also gives a darker colour syrup/honey. But if you don’t have slab sugar in hand, try regular unrefined cane sugar, they will turn out just as tasty.

Makes about 1 cup of syrup

Ingredients

• About 2 handfuls dandelion flowers
• 1.5 cups water
• 1-2 slices orange or lemon
• Equivalent amount of sugar in weight from liquid (measure accordingly as in steps)

Recipe Preparation

Soak flowers (roots, stems and leaves removed) in water for 5 minutes to allow insects to exit. Drain flowers in a strainer.

Place flowers, orange/lemon slices and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain flowers and citrus slices with a fine strainer. Measure equivalent amount of sugar in weight as the liquid.

Dissolve sugar in the saucepan with the flower liquid in a gentle boil, whirl the saucepan from time to time. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is thickened. Store in a sterilized jar at room temperature.