Garden Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
This angelica germinated this winter where a seed was spilled. I am impressed with the growth rate and that it doesn’t need more heat. Last week I placed a large pot over it, to bleach the leaves. It makes them tender and delicious.
A large leaf stem made its way into the wok with Thai-mint, scallops and salmon. Angelica was the stand-in for galangal, with its distinctive perfumed flavour. A smaller stalk sliced thinly and dressed with lemon juice and canola oil made a tasty side-dish.
Formerly I used angelica without bleaching it. It has been fine steeped in vodka. But otherwise it was a tough diet for my tongue. I had given up eating angelica. But with the experience of bleached leaves, I’m ready to eat angelica again.
Perhaps I should sow a little row in autumn with very fresh seed. Then I can again have fresh angelica in May next year.
Bleached angelica after harvest
I left two leaves – will the plant grow again, take another bleaching later this summer to be harvested again?
May 27, 2011 at 21:48
Mine is currently six feet high, and preparing to flower. I should cut some back so it’s still there next year, while I leave some to flower. I expect that one will grow back, it’s pretty tough.
May 28, 2011 at 10:07
I’ve just received some angelica seeds, so I will have to try this, thanks!
June 4, 2011 at 12:18
This is great news to me as I had no idea how to use angelica at all…. and I have collected some of the seeds. I wonder if its too late to sow them now…. anyway I will try and see what happens.
June 5, 2011 at 20:18
I know a lady who grow her angelica in a single clump. Every year the biggest plant flower, and a new plant will take over – become the king. Then in spring she will relocate a few of the volunteers back to the clump. Plant them right in the deep shadow of their older siblings.
I think it’s a good way to keep it in a single spot in a small garden.
I even think I should do the same. But until now, I’ve just let the volunteers grow on their own, if in acceptable spots. I usually only let it go to flower in the shade of the hazel, where few other things will grow, and where a little extra shade will not be noticed.