Wild garlic is not found in the wild to the same extent everywhere in Central Europe. In some areas, however, it forms dense carpets in shady deciduous forests, from which it can also be harvested for use in the kitchen if clearly identified.
What types of wild garlic are there and how do they differ?
Wild garlic (Allium ursinum), also known as wild garlic, wild garlic, ransel, witch's onion or garlic spinach, is an amaryllis plant that occurs in shady deciduous forests in Central Europe. It is suitable for the kitchen and should be differentiated from poisonous plants such as lily of the valley, autumn crocus, spotted Aaron's rod or white root species.
Wild garlic as a wild version of garlic for the kitchen
The wild garlic (Allium ursinum) belongs to the subfamily Allioideae within the amaryllis family. The populations found in various areas of Central Europe between southern Scandinavia and the Alps basically belong to the same plant species, but are occasionally referred to regionally with the following names:
- Wild Garlic
- Forest garlic
- Ränsel
- Witch Onion
- Garlic spinach
In contrast to many other types of leeks, wild garlic not only tolerates moist soil, it also needs humus-rich and consistently slightly moist soil in order to be able to reproduce well in one location. Since the wild garlic leaves taste increasingly intense over the summer and die off completely in the fall when the plant is pulled back into the ground, the plant is usually only used seasonally in the spring for fresh consumption or for seasoning in the kitchen.
The distinction between wild garlic and poisonous plant species
The wild garlic itself is not poisonous even when eaten raw, although it is sometimes confused with poisonous plant species by inexperienced collectors with poisonous plant species in similar forest locations or in the middle of a wild garlic population, with tragic consequences. The following species can pose a danger:
- Lily of the valley
- Autumn Crocus
- Spotted Rod of Aaron
- White Root Species
Apart from the slightly different leaf shapes, the distinction can only be made with certainty using an odor test. To do this, rub a leaf between your fingers to smell the intense garlic-like smell of wild garlic. Between tests with different leaves, you should wash your hands with the water you brought with you to avoid any danger from the supposed garlic smell of the next sample.
Different ways to process wild garlic
You can use wild garlic not only as a wild version of garlic to season dishes. Especially shortly before the characteristic wild garlic flowers bloom, it is worth taking a walk in the forest to prepare a caper-like dish by pickling the buds.
Tips & Tricks
The wild garlic plants sold potted in stores usually belong to the same plant variety that can be found in the forest. However, wild garlic plants from the greenhouse have a lower risk of contamination with fox tapeworm pathogens when consumed raw.