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.
How do you eat French sorrel?
Cooking With Sorrel
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.
What does a sorrel taste like?
Sorrel is fruity like rhubarb. It is tart like lemon. It is herbal like basil. And it can be treated like all three.
What is French sorrel good?
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 ).
Does sorrel taste like lemon?
Sorrel is forest green and grassy in color, but it is all yellow and citrus in taste. Wild or cultivated, this so-called weed has a wonderful, sharp lemony flavor (thanks to oxalic acid in its leaves).
Does sorrel lower blood pressure?
Sorrel is no slouch in the nutritional department either. 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.
Is French sorrel edible?
What is sorrel? Sorrel is a small edible green plant from the Polygonaceae family, which also includes buckwheat and rhubarb. The French translation of sour (“sorrel”) is spot-on: These leaves have an intense lemony tang.
Why is sorrel so sour?
Sorrel is a very tangy, acidic herb. Its sour taste comes from oxalic acid, which also gives rhubarb its tartness. This fresh, lemony sourness has been highly prized in cuisines all over the world.
Does sorrel taste like spinach?
Spinach and Sorrel are two different leaves even though they are from the same plant family and have similar appearances. Raw sorrel leaves have a sour and acidic taste while raw spinach leaves have a sweet and mild flavor.
When should you eat sorrel?
Sorrel is also commonly wilted into soups and incorporated into pasta dishes to add brightness and acidity. Sorrel also makes a great addition to a spring greens mixture, adding a tangy herbaceous flavor while holding up structurally to various dressings and toppings.
Does sorrel make you poop?
Relief constipation. Sorrel contains diuretic properties that increase bowel movement, which relieves constipation.
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 give you diarrhea?
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.
Why is my sorrel bitter?
Oxalic acid is responsible for giving red veined sorrel a bitter lemon flavor and in large quantities can cause mineral deficiencies, specifically calcium. Oxalic acid is minimized when cooked. It is suggested that people with pre-existing conditions avoid ingesting.
What is a good substitute for sorrel?
Alternatives. Try endive, spinach or rocket.
Is sorrel good to eat?
Sorrel Nutrition
Lemony sorrel is super high in Vitamin C; just 1/2 cup of the leafy green provides you with about half of your daily Vitamin C needs. It is also high in Vitamin A and potassium and is a good source of iron.
Is sorrel good for sleep?
Sorrel leaves are used to treat insomnia and hypertension (9).
Is sorrel good for high cholesterol?
By significantly reducing elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, Sorrel has been shown to minimize the risk of heart disease, as it helps avoid artery-clogging. It also has benefits when used daily.
Can diabetics drink sorrel?
The plant also helps to maintain regular bowel movements, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. The sorrel fibre may also help ward against certain health conditions including cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
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.
Are all types of sorrel edible?
Sorrel Plant Types
The two most popular varieties of sorrel for veggie gardeners are English (garden) sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus). Both have a citrusy taste that makes them excellent for cooking. Each sorrel variety is slightly different and each has its own set of fans.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.