How to make nettle beer
with POPPY OKOTCHA
Lesson 30 of 30
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Poppy will show you how to make this delicious fermented drink in six simple steps.
From the Lesson Workbook
How to Make Nettle Beer
Nettles can be used in a whole host of recipes, including curries, pesto and pakoras. One of my favourites though is nettle beer. Due to the fermentation process, it's mildly alcoholic, but if you would like it to be even milder, just let it ferment for a shorter period. If you do this, you'll end up with a sweeter brew, similar to elderflower cordial.
Ingredients
- 70 nettle tops
- 2 lemons
- Thumb-sized piece of ginger (optional)
- Sugar
- Brewer's yeast
Method
- Count out about 70 nettle tops, taking care to avoid being stung.
- Submerge the nettles in boiling water and simmer on the hob.
- Add 500 grams of sugar and stir well.
- Spoon out the nettles and add lemon juice to the liquid.
- Prepare the yeast by mixing it into warm water.
- Chop the ginger (if you like ginger) and add everything to a clean jar. Stir and cover with a clean cloth to ferment. You can taste daily, when you deem it to be ready, enjoy!
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Your Instructor
Poppy Okotcha
Ecological food grower and garden writer, passionate about a wilder approach to the way we garden.
Poppy Okotcha is a trained horticulturist and ecological gardener, on a mission to inspire people to engage with the natural world. Whilst now focused on her own budding garden in Devon, Poppy began her formal horticulture studies with the Royal Horticultural Society. After honing her understanding of regenerative growing techniques she went on to learn forest gardening from Martin Crawford in one of the oldest ‘food forests’ in England, and qualified as a Permaculture Designer. An ambassador for WWF and Nature is a Human Right, Poppy has been featured on Gardeners’ World (BBC2); has presented Series 1 of The Great Garden Revolution (Channel 4); is a podcast guest; and writes for publications including LivingEtc and Wicked Leeks.
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