What Does French Sorrel Look Like?

They are bright green and 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) long. The French sorrel herb produces a rosette of the shiny leaves which radiate out from the center. Young leaves are slightly wrinkled and will have less acidity and bitterness than larger, older leaves.

What is French sorrel used for?

Sorrel falls straight between herbs and greens. Use it as a leafy herb, like parsley or basil or mint, chopping it up to use in marinades and dressings, or stirring it into soups or casseroles for a bit of fresh flavor. Or, use it as a green, ripping the tender leaves into salads and stir-fries.

Can you eat French sorrel raw?

If you’ve never tried sorrel, be prepared to pucker up. This spring green is packed with potent astringency and a lemony, citrus-like flavor. It bump up the acidic quality of salads (just use less vinegar or lemon juice), and is great eaten raw. It also cooks down quickly in a sauté pan.

Where does French sorrel grow?

Sorrel thrives in a sunny or partially-shady spot, in fertile and moisture-retentive soil. It can be grown from seed, but as a perennial plant, you could also take a rooted cutting or a division from an existing plant. Sow sorrel seeds in spring, a few in small pots filled with seed compost, cover and water well.

Is French sorrel Hardy?

Sorrel is a hardy perennial that tolerates temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Foliage, especially at the top of the plant, will begin to die back in the winter. It’s best to rejuvenate your sorrel garden by dividing them in the spring and replacing the plants every few years.

What does French sorrel taste like?

What Is Sorrel? Used interchangeably as an herb and salad green, sorrel is a flavorful ingredient known for its sour, acidic taste reminiscent of lemon zest. The name sorrel, which comes from the French word surele and Germanic word sur, both meaning sour, is fitting of this notably tangy produce.

Does sorrel raise blood pressure?

It’s full of minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. It also has key B-vitamins like niacin and folic acid, and can lower blood pressure. Sorrel is a known anti-inflammatory: The ascorbic acid and other compounds in sorrel make it a potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drink.

Is French sorrel toxic?

In larger doses, sorrel can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and digestive organs. Sorrel is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in large amounts, since it might increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Does sorrel make you poop?

Relief constipation. Sorrel contains diuretic properties that increase bowel movement, which relieves constipation.

Can sorrel be poisonous?

The sorrel plant is toxic, and it is important to know the alternate names for the same plant. Alternate names for the sorrel plant include: Oxalis.

Is French sorrel invasive?

Be warned: This is an aggressive perennial, considered invasive by some gardeners who see it as a weed, albeit an edible one. It starts easily from seed, and once established it can spread rapidly under certain conditions. Garden sorrel likes a damp site, while French sorrel prefers drier soil.

Does sorrel come back every year?

Two perennial herbs that I wouldn’t be without are lovage and sorrel. They come up every year, survive on little attention, and are among the first plants to provide fresh green leaves in spring. They also pack powerful flavors. Lovage is tangy and pungent, like celery but richer and stronger.

Is French sorrel a perennial?

French sorrel (Rumex scutatus) may not be one of the herbs found down the spice aisle at your local supermarket, but it has a long history of use. It gives a citrus-like flavor to many types of dishes. This perennial can be used fresh or in cooking. It may also grow like a weed in the right conditions.

What can you not plant with sorrel?

Many people choose to grow it as part of a vegetable or herb garden, as the plant does particularly well with thyme, sage and rosemary. Sorrel also does well with low-growing crops such as strawberries. Avoid planting sorrel with tall plants such as beans, peas, or corn.

Does sorrel like sun or shade?

full sun
Sorrel’s growing season runs from early spring into mid-summer. In USDA hardiness zones four and above, sorrel is among the many perennial herbs that can annually self-seed. 1. Choose a site: Sorrel plants prefer full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of daylight.

Can sorrel tolerate frost?

Sorrel plants tolerate light frosts. For recommended planting dates for your local climate — and to design your garden beds — try our Vegetable Garden Planner.

Is French sorrel good for you?

Rich in antioxidants
Sorrel is a great source of antioxidants, which are beneficial compounds that protect your cells from damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals. Antioxidants may help prevent many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes ( 6 ).

What part of the sorrel do you eat?

Leaves
Both varieties of sorrel pair well with egg dishes, depending on your palate. Leaves of this tender spring green are often used fresh; however, you can also cook them down — this produces leaves similar to the consistency of cooked spinach.

Is sorrel the same as hibiscus?

West Indians call hibiscus sorrel or sorrel, Africans call the plant Roselle, and it’s known as hibiscus in other locales. It’s the exact same plant, Hibiscus sabdariffa, an edible species of hibiscus. Agua de Jamaica literally translates into the term Jamaica water.

What are the side effects of sorrel?

Wood sorrel is UNSAFE, especially when used when used in higher doses. Wood sorrel can cause diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, skin reactions, stomach and intestine irritation, eye damage, and kidney damage. Swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat can make speaking and breathing difficult.

Is sorrel good for sleep?

Sorrel leaves are used to treat insomnia and hypertension (9).