Caption: Dried dandelion root, Credit: Guy Hand
Image by: Guy Hand 
Dried dandelion root 

The Once Loved Dandelion

Series: Northwest Food News & Edible Idaho
From: Guy Hand
Length: 00:04:00

The surprising history of the once much loved dandelion. Read the full description.

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Back when we were all involuntary locavores, meaning most of human history, the early days of spring were tough.  The larder was low, the stored fruit gone and we’d be left nibbling at beans and pickled meat. Without fresh food, our nutrient levels would sink as scurvy, that then common killer, was quietly settling in. Despite the coming warmth and sunlight, it could be weeks before anything fresh and edible would sprout. Except for dandelions.
 
In those lean days we would have gazed upon the first dandelions of spring with far more affection than we do today.

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Piece Description

Back when we were all involuntary locavores, meaning most of human history, the early days of spring were tough.  The larder was low, the stored fruit gone and we’d be left nibbling at beans and pickled meat. Without fresh food, our nutrient levels would sink as scurvy, that then common killer, was quietly settling in. Despite the coming warmth and sunlight, it could be weeks before anything fresh and edible would sprout. Except for dandelions.
 
In those lean days we would have gazed upon the first dandelions of spring with far more affection than we do today.

Broadcast History

Aired Boise State Public Radio 4/1/11

Transcript

Dandelions
Edible Idaho Feature: 0401GH_Dandelions.wav Feature 4:00 04/01/11 GH/
[HOST INTRO] I’m Guy Hand and this is Edible Idaho, celebrating 2011: The Year of Idaho Food.. (4:00 to soc out; ambient sound to 0:00; fade at will)
[SCRIPT]
Sound of wind, rustle through leaves . . .
Hand: If all the March wind and rain hadn’t reminded you, it’s scurvy season.
Back when we were all involuntary locavores, meaning most of human history, the early days of spring were tough. The larder was low, the stored fruit gone and we’d be left nibbling at beans and pickled meat. Without fresh food, our nutrient levels would sink as scurvy, that then common killer, was quietly settling in. Despite the coming warmth and sunlight, it could be weeks before anything fresh and edible would sprout. Except for dandelions.
In those lean days we would have gazed upon the first dandelions of spring with fa...
Read the full transcript

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Dandelion Madcon Conquest. 00:00

Related Website

http://www.nwfoodnews.com/2011/03/23/the-dandy-dandelion-why-the-weed-is-wonderful/