**Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be. This article is informative and only covers the traditional uses for edible plants commonly found in the Appalachian region. It’s always best to consult a health care professional or medical doctor when suffering from any ailment, disease, illness, or injury before trying any traditional folk remedies. **
This Appalachian “Spring” has been like any other– inconstant and unreliable. Although I have been looking forward to this edition in hopes that the warmer weather would have already set in, I find myself in a spell of unhopefulness, wishing that spring would finally “spring up,” bringing along with it the delicious flowers, leaves, and roots of a fruitful foraging venture. However, in light of the delayed spring, this is one of the best opportunities to cover one of the most underappreciated and nutritious Appalachian plants– the hairy bittercress.
Hairy bittercress is an annual spring weed that pops up in early March in Appalachia, and it is a wonderful, fibrous, aromatic plant that makes a lovely addition to any salad, soup, casserole, sandwich, or dish. It has a peppery, mustard-like flavor that compliments any culinary creation.
What is Hairy Bittercress?
Hairy bittercress is an annual weed from the Brassicaceae family (including cabbage and some lettuces). It has a savory, herbal flavor that makes it a fantastic addition to almost any dish, and it is so common that you probably already have it growing in your yard.
Hairy bittercress is a delicious plant that pops up early spring in gardens all over Appalachia. It’s commonly considered a weed, but this plant should not be taken for granted. It’s well-worth eating, especially if you are going to pull it up, anyway.
Hairy bittercress, known scientifically as cardamine hirsuta, is an Asian and European import that crops up cool, damp weather. You’ll recognize it for its weed-like presence and tiny white blossoms that appear in late February and early March.
Despite its likely invasion of your lawn, it is not an invasive plant. It grows in areas where no other plant dares to root, and it neutralizes your soil, making it more fertile for grasses and garden plants.
The only likely issue with this weed is that it grows the deepest of roots, which makes eradicating it difficult. However, in my opinion, its difficulty is an advantage. Hairy bittercress is something that we humans have eaten for thousands (if not millions) of years.
Identifying Hairy Bittercress
Hairy bittercress endures cold winters and is one of the first plants to pop back up in early spring. It grows in a rosette-shaped clump with thin stalks extending upwards.
Atop these stalks are tiny, white flowers and siliques. The flowers bloom with four petals, making hairy bittercress a “cruciferous,” or cross-bearing, plant.
The siliques are the plant’s seed dispersal apparatus, and they look a bit like toothpicks or extra growths that extend from the stems.
As for the leaves, it is difficult to find other plants with similar foliage. As the name implies, Hairy bittercress has slightly hairy or fuzzy leaves. The leaves have an oval shape, but they end up looking a bit like lumpy semi-circles or pentagons as they mature.
Hairy bittercress has odd-pinnate leaves, meaning that they grow on both sides of their stem and always appear in odd numbers. These leafy stems are not symmetrical, but they are pretty close. Each alternating leaf is a bit off-center, giving each pair of leaves a bit of a diagonal look.
Is Hairy Bittercress Good For You?
Since hairy bittercress belongs to the Brassicaceae family, it is related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale, so it’s perfectly safe to eat. In addition, it has many health benefits that rival today’s superfoods.
Hairy bittercress is good for you, and it contains significant amounts of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and glucosinolates. It is also a fantastic source of fiber.
The vitamin C in these weeds will support a healthy immune system, while beta-carotene aids skin and hair health.
However, the glucosinolates in hairy bittercress make it so beneficial for you. Glucosinolates are a compound that hairy bittercress uses to ward off infections and pests naturally.
So, it is antimicrobial, antifungal, and slightly insecticidal. In the human body, these compounds help regulate inflammation and stress. They may also neutralize carcinogens, helping you prevent cancer.
Like other cruciferous plants, hairy bittercress is a fantastic, healthy addition to your diet, and you won’t have to go to Whole Foods to get it. All you have to do is pick a bit from your backyard!
How To Use Hairy Bittercress
The best parts of hairy bittercress are the leaves, which have a mustard-like flavor. The peppery taste lends itself well to all kinds of food.
One of the best ways to use this dish is as an herb in meat dishes, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and anything else that could benefit from a nutritious, peppery kick. It’s also perfect for salads since it will add a delicate texture and taste to other veggies.
You can use hairy bittercress as a substitute for horseradish or mustard since these plants have similar tastes and are closely related.
You can choose to use it fresh, which is how I regularly use it, or you can dehydrate it and keep it in your spice cabinet.
To dry hairy bittercress for later use, simply pick the leaf stems off of the plant, then tie them together at the bare end with a bit of string. Hang the leaves somewhere away from direct sunlight, like near a wall or in your pantry. Once the leaves are crispy and dry (which should take a week or two), crush the leaves with your hands, a mortar and pestle, or a food processor, and store them in a clean jar.
Then, when you need to add some savory, mildly spicy flavor to your cooking, sprinkle in a pinch!
