Dandelion jelly is a real surprise treat, which is also known as dandelion honey.
The yellow sunny dandelion flowers are the main star in this amazing homemade recipe.
Learn how to cook dandelion flowers too further below:
Dandelion jelly is one of those amazing recipes which you thought were impossible.
Dandelion jelly taste can be compared to honey, and that’s why it’s frequently known as dandelion honey.
Whoever sees dandelion jelly for the first time is completely amazed and adventurous at the same time to give it a go.
So, if you are around fields full of fresh and juicy dandelion flowers, you are bound to consider making this dandelion jam at home!
What is the Dandelion flower?
The dandelion flower petals can be easily recognized because of its yellow flower head, which closes during the night and reopens every morning again.
The yellow petals turn white in time with the seeds dangling at the bottom.
Some people will know it as a dandelion puff and kids love to blow away the seeds.
The head is carried by a hollow stem which contains a white sap and usually, each flower comes with a set of jagged leaves.
Dandelion flower head, leaves, sap and roots can be all consumed.
Dandelion Health Benefits
Dandelion sap (the white stuff) is used against kidney stones and to treat diuretic conditions, liver and bile problems, and skin difficulties.
Further, the dandelion is known to promote appetite, maybe that’s why the cows love to chew on them when they are chilling on the fields.
Since the dawn of time, the dandelion flower was known to be a healing plant and was in great use in various traditional culture’s folk medicines.
The Dandelion flower was firstly noted and mentioned in Chinese and Arabic scripts at around 600 a. C. but even the dark medieval time of the world had adopted the healing properties and uses of the dandelion plant.
Dandelion nutritious properties
The plant contains a bunch of nutrients which may be worthwhile to be mentioned here.
The yellow sweet dandelion blossoms mostly hold precious Carotenoids (Eyes and skin) and Vitamin C elements (Antioxidants).
Further, it contains minerals such as Inulin (management of diabetes) and Potassium (control of hypertension).
That proofs that it is much more valuable and of use than we ever imagined!
Where to find Dandelion flowers to make Dandelion Jelly?
I remember my grandmother who would collect dandelion leaves to add them to salads or she would make a dandelion tea of them.
So you see, the dandelion flower is not just one of those hazardous wildflowers, but in fact a very useful plant.
The awesome part is, that Dandelion flowers grow pretty much everywhere in the northern hemisphere.
So you might just find it outside your house growing and since nobody knows the value of the plant, nobody will be bothered if you collect them all for your own culinary use.
Dandelions can be easily collected in the fields for free.
You can use a Dandelion picker or puller to help you collect the flower buds.
Usually, dandelion fields are not contaminated with poison, if you are not sure, ask the local farmer (or whoever owns the property).
When are Dandelions in Season?
The yellow, humble dandelion flower, can be commonly found from April onwards.
The plant tends to grow twice a year in spring/summer.
Once in spring and a second time in summer.
A harsh winter might reduce the dandelion summer to only a one-time field growth.
More like the Dandelion Jelly
- Dandelion Wine by smallfootprintfamily.com
- Dandelion Burdock Herbal Bitters by practicalselfreliance.com
- Dandelion Blossom Honey Butter by thehomesteadinghippy.com
Dear Reader, in your food culture, do you use flowers as food?
Dandelion Flower Jelly
Ingredients
- 200 piece Dandelion Flowers freshly plucked, *see Notes
- 1 piece Orange
- 4 cups Water
- 3 cups Sugar
- Juice of 1 Lemon
Instructions
- Pick your flowers freshly from the fields and rinse them well to get rid of any impurities and insects. It helps to add a cap of vinegar to the water to get rid of insects when washing the flower heads.
- Keep dandelion flowers to dry for 2-3 days in the sun.
- After they are dried, pick out the yellow flower blossom and keep them in a bowl. Discard the green parts, those are bitter.
- Peel the orange and cut the flesh into small pieces (without the white parts!). Add the fruit flesh to the flowers, with the water. Bring to a boil and then on slow fire for about 1 hour. Allow it to simmer slowly
- After cooking strain the juices from the flowers well and press out all the juices of the flower/fruit mixture. Discard the flowers and orange pieces and take the strained liquid back to low heat together with the sugar and lemon juice.
- Stir well and let it cook slowly until the jelly sets. Check if the jelly is set with a candy thermometer. The setting temperature is 220 Fahrenheit/ 105 Celsius. You can also test the setting by dropping some of the hot jelly on an ice cold plate. If it runs it’s not ready and needs more cooking, if it’s set you are good.
- In the meanwhile sterilize the 2-3 Jars and keep a few drops of rum into the inner jar covers. That will help to preserve the jelly for a longer period. Fill your sterilized jars to the rim, close with the lid and turn upside down to create a vacuum.
- Leave it upside down overnight. The next day label your jelly and store in a cool and dry place. Store in the fridge once opened.
Notes
- The flowers need to be picked freshly with the head opened and not closed. Pick only flowers from untreated (nonpoisonous) fields.
- 1 serving = 1 Teaspoon, 70 servings = about 3 jars.
Angie Davis says
Well I have made this twice now! What a wonderful recipe! I was able to give a few small jars to loved ones on Mother’s Day! I am completely obsessed and catch myself scoping out new spots of flower patches! It’s great to know the jelly lasts so long in the fridge! Awesome idea to save dried flowers also! I will be stocking up! Thank you so much for sharing!
Helene Dsouza says
Hi Angie, thank you for your lovely feedback! I am happy to learn that you enjoy the recipe as much as I do. Collecting fresh dandelions can be so much fun too, a lovely relaxing activity just like collecting elderflowers or Chamomile flower buds. 🙂
Sarah Gadd says
I’m going to try your recipe but I’m really interested….. yours is the only recipe that goes to the step of drying your flowers instead of making an instant dandelion ‘tea’. Have you tried both ways? What’s the difference?
Thanks!
Helene Dsouza says
Hi Sarah,
Most of the time I think it makes sense to let flower blossoms dry because this removes the water content and leaves a much higher concentration of the active ingredients in the remaining plant. Besides drying the dandelion flower will make it easier for you to pick out the green part (which are bitter). Also, if you want you can pick a whole load of dandelions (because they are seasonal), dry them and store the rest for the remaining of the year to make teas or something else.
When we make a tea, for example, we try to use dried blossoms because they tend to be more intense. Chamomille is a good example too, drying the flower buds gives a tea more flavor. At the same time, there are instances where flowers don’t need to be dried, for example, elderflowers when turned into a syrup (the flowers are not boiled but left in a mixture for days).
Sure you could use whole fresh dandelion flowers but then you would need by far more flowers to get some taste and to infuse the jelly.
The dandelion jelly recipe above is the way they do it in the alps for ages.
Lisa Arrowsmith says
How long is it good for ?
Helene Dsouza says
Like any other jam or jelly. Unopened for up to a year in a cool, dark and dry place (if you have sterilized your jars). Once opened within a few months if stored in the fridge.
Erica Acevedo says
I had NO idea that those annoying weeds in backyard could be made into a jelly! Talk about upcycling! I’m definitely going to give this a try, thanks so much for this recipe!
Liz says
Hi, sweet friend! It’s been WAY too long since I’ve stopped by. What a fun, unique idea for an addition to my morning toast. Love that the maligned dandelion actually offers health benefits—so cool!
Donna says
I started making this jelly with my grandson a few years ago .his favorite is dandelion juice infused with orange skins and cinnamon then turned into jelly. Lovely on crackers with cream chese and a spoon of jelly on top .
mjskitchen says
You have really piqued my interesting with this jelly! I’ve heard of it, but never put much thought into it until now. It makes such a gorgeous jelly and what a great use for something that grows so easily and wild. In fact, my whole front yard looks like a field of dandelions. I’m going to have to pick the blooms before the husbands mows them down. Thanks for sharing this. This is a great challenge for me.
Laura says
How fascinating! I never heard of making jelly from dandelion flowers!
Louise says
Hi Helene:)
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful Dandelion Jelly recipe with step by step directions. We will be celebrating Dandelion Day here in the states on May 5th. I’ve pinned this recipe to my Dandelion Day Pinterest board. Thank you so much for sharing, Helene…
Liz Posmyk (Good Things) says
Wow, what an interesting and delightful recipe. x
sandra says
wow thanx just what i was looking for will try this also going to try making wine with them as well
Helene says
Hi Sandra!
Cool idea with the wine, you just inspired me!! =D
Javelin Warrior says
I’m featuring this post in today’s Food Fetish Friday series (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and it’s so much fun following your creations…
Helene says
Thanks Javelin! What an honor! of course I do not have any objections and I give you the permission of featuring my flower jelly on your page. thanks a lot for letting me know my friend! 😉
yummychunklet says
How creative! I like the sound of using dandelions.
Katherine Martinelli says
What a delightful recipe!! I’ve never had dandelion jam but it sounds so good.
Charles says
This is so cool – and beautiful. It reminds me of a war-time recipe from England when rationing was in place, it was hard to get honey, so they made a jelly using parsley! I want to try this, though the problem is it’s hard to find so many “untouched” dandelions. It seems like everywhere I look they’re covered in dog poop 🙁
I love the idea – thanks so much for introducing me to this… going to pin this for later use 🙂
Beth Michelle says
What an interesting recipe. So unique. What a wonderful thing to draw inspiration from!
Carrie says
Great recipe!!!!
Terra says
I have never tried dandelion, I always just discard it in my yard. I need to venture to new ground, and try this sweet little flower. i had no idea it was so good for you:-) I look forward to seeing what else you make with the little flower:-) Your honey looks gorgeous!! Hugs, Terra
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Wow this is so cool, Helene! I have never heard of flower jelly and I already like that it’s so unique. I’d love to taste it and put it on nice and warm bread… 🙂
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says
I love this jelly! Would adding pectin make a difference to the jelling?
Helene says
Pectin isn’t required because it is jelling and preserving well without it.
We try to use pectin as little as possible in our jaming kitchen since it alters the flavors a bit, but I guess everyone has a different opinion. Anyway, if you want you can use Pectin instead of the sugar in this recipe. =)
Choc Chip Uru says
Ising flowers in cooking, I have seen roses and lavender – this flower looks beautiful and I’m sure in your stunning jelly, gives a wonderful fragrance too 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
kitchenriffs says
What a great post! I’ve had dandelions in salads before, but never jelly. Wonderful idea. I’m looking forward to see what else you do with dandelions. Excellent read – thanks.
shuhan says
That’s great post helene! I’ve recently discovered using flowers in cooking, and am looking forward to learning more new ideas. this is great, I bet I can find dandelions just about anywhere!