Robin Harford You walk past it every day. That massive plant by the roadside. The one with the white umbrella flowers and the slightly dodgy reputation.
Heracleum sphondylium, common hogweed.
And you’re ignoring a spice cupboard on a stem. Here’s what nobody tells you: those seeds taste like orange and cardamom had a baby.
That warm, citrusy, slightly exotic flavour that costs you £4.50 in the supermarket? It’s analog is growing wild, right now, probably within walking distance of your house.
But you’re buying cardamom pods instead.
Why does this matter? Because whilst you’re spending money on imported spices that have travelled thousands of miles, there’s a British native offering you the same flavour profile for free.
The seeds work brilliantly in puddings and syrups. Chuck them into bean dishes when they’re still green.
Use them anywhere you’d normally reach for that expensive jar of cardamom.
Think about it. When did we decide that flavour only counts if it comes from far away?
Last autumn, I gathered a handful of hogweed seeds on a walk. Ground them up. Stirred them into a rice pudding. My friend took one spoonful and said, ‘Where did you get this cardamom?’ I hadn’t told her. She genuinely couldn’t tell the difference.
That’s the transformation. From seeing a ‘weed’ to seeing ingredients. From walking past to walking with purpose. From buying to gathering.
The seeds are a gateway into the wild spice chest of the hedgerows. Easy to identify. Easy to collect. Easy to use.
Are you starting to see your local hedgerows differently?
Next time you’re out walking, look for those brown, flat, oval seeds. They’re ready right now, through late autumn. Rub one between your fingers. Smell it. That’s your free spice.
Stop spending. Start gathering.