How to Harvest Dandelions and Make Dandelion Tea & Jelly

Discover how to identify, harvest, and use dandelions to make tea and jelly -- plus explore the health benefits of dandelions. A guide to foraging God's natural gifts in these sunny edible wild plants.

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5/5/20258 min read

green grass field under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

From Lawn to Table: Harvesting Dandelions for Tea and Jelly

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate -- bringing forth food from the earth.

--Psalm 104:14

When you look out at your yard, and you see dandelions, what do you see? Do you see pesky weeds? These golden little balls of sunshine are actually God's blessings, hidden in plain sight. They can actually offer nourishment, they have healing properties, and they taste great! When we take time to harvest, prepare, and enjoy them, we are reminded of God's provision, even in what others may overlook.

In this post, we'll go through how to identify and gather dandelions, how to make tea from the petals and roots, and how to turn blossoms into delicious, sweet jelly. We'll also explore the health benefits of dandelions and share a few recipe variations as well.

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Identifying Dandelions & Avoiding Imposters

Before you harvest, it is important to be sure you are picking the right plant. You may be thinking, "But, everyone knows what a dandelion looks like!" Maybe...but did you know there are a few imposter plants that look pretty similar to the dandelion?

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Features:

Flowers: Bright yellow with thin, even petals that make up the entire flower head
Leaves: Deeply toothed, and they grow in a rosette at the base of the plant. The leaves of a dandelion are NOT hairy.
Stem: Hollow with a milky sap, and the stem does not branch
Roots: Thick taproot, brown on the outside and white on the inside

Imposters to Watch Out For:

Cat's Ear (Hypochaeris radicata) - This look alike has a similar flower, but the leaves of this plant are hairy. Cat's Ear may also have a branching stem, dandelions do not.
Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) - This look alike also has a similar flower, but the leaves are very narrow and are hairy.

Always be sure you know what you are picking before you harvest!

Harvesting Dandelions

There are a few things to keep in mind when harvesting dandelions. First, harvest only what you need. Leave the rest for the pollinators or critters that may munch on them! 🐝

When to Harvest:

If you are harvesting flowers or leaves, the best time is in the early spring. If you wait too long, the leaves may become bitter. I tend to only harvest the flowers (and sometimes roots), and when dandelions start to pop up all over my yard, I know it is time to go gather a basketful for some tea and jelly! Time of day can be a factor too. It is best to harvest on a dry day, after the morning dew has evaporated.

Where to Harvest:

This is important to consider. Only harvest in untreated lawns or fields. Never harvest by the road. You want to avoid areas that may have been affected by chemicals. Also, only harvest in areas that pets do NOT frequent.

How to Harvest:

If you are harvesting flowers, grab a bowl or a basket and head outside. Find an area in which it is safe to harvest the dandelions. If you are gathering the flowers, simply grasp the flower right below the flower head and pop it off! No need to pick the entire stem. If you are harvesting the roots, use a small shovel or weeding tool. Remember, dandelions have taproots, so they may go quite deep!

Preparing Dandelions

After you have harvested your little golden globes of sunshine, bring them inside. There are a few simple steps to take care of before it is time to make tea or jelly!

Wash everything in cold water to remove dirt and insects. Pat dry. I like to spread the dandelion parts out on paper towel and let them air dry for a bit.

For the flower heads - you will want to grab a clean bowl. Pull the petals away from the green base and put the petals into the bowl. Throw the green base away. You want to avoid making tea or jelly with the green base part because it tends to be bitter.
Tip 1: This can be the mundane part of the process because it can take some time. Get comfortable, put on some music or go outside in the sunshine, and relax while you separate the petals!
Tip 2: If you are having trouble getting the petals to easily pull away, my daughter and I have a few tricks. 😂 She likes to peel the green base part open, leaving the petals exposed so she can grab them and drop them in the bowl. I like to squeeze the petals together from the bottom, so they kind of bunch all together. Then, I grasp the bunched together flower head and kind of twist and pull. The petals come out and I drop them in the bowl.

If you are harvesting the roots, you should scrub them thoroughly when cleaning them. Then, chop them into small pieces. After doing this, roast them at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. Roasting the roots brings out an earthy, nutty taste in the root.

Dandelion Tea: Two Ways to Brew

Let's start with tea! There are a few ways to make dandelion tea. I'll go over how to use both the petals and the roots for this treat. You can also use the leaves to brew tea, but I have not done that. Perhaps something to try in the future... 🤔

Dandelion Petal Tea

There are some great benefits to drinking dandelion tea! Petals contain small amounts of vitamin C, iron, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in antioxidants, and they help to reduce inflammation in the body. Additionally, dandelion flowers have traditionally been used as a mood lifter!

Ingredients:

1 cup of fresh dandelion petals (I have found that approximately 2 cups of picked dandelion heads will yield one cup of petals)
2 cups of boiling water
Honey or lemon (optional)

Instructions:

If you have not already done so, be sure to clean the flower heads and remove the petals (see above).
Place the petals in a teapot or mason jar.
Pour boiling water over the petals.
Steep for 15-20 minutes.
Strain the petals out.
Sweeten to taste.
Optional add-ins: chamomile, mint, or lavender

Dandelion Root Tea

This tea has an earthier, nuttier flavor. Some people use it as a substitute for coffee, as it doesn't contain caffeine. It supports liver function by promoting detox pathways and helping to filter toxins. It also aids in digestion and helps to relieve bloating. It is a mild diuretic, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties!

Ingredients:

1-2 tablespoons of roasted, chopped dandelion root
2 cups of boiling water

Instructions:

If you have not already done so, be sure to clean and chop the roots (see above).
Then, roast the roots at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes.
Boil a pot of water.
Add the root pieces and simmer for 15 minutes.
Strain and enjoy this tea warm.
Optional add-ins: cinnamon, ginger, or chicory root for added spice and depth

Dandelion Jelly: Sunshine in a Jar

Mmm...dandelion jelly. I have to admit, the first time I made this, I was kind of skeptical. I wasn't so sure how eating jelly made from flower petals would taste. Well, I'll tell you how it tastes! It tastes light, floral, and sweet. It kind of reminds me of honey in a way. Delicious!

Ingredients:

4 cups of dandelion petals
4 cups of water
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 box (1.75 oz) of powdered pectin
4 cups of sugar

Instructions:

Be sure you have cleaned the flower heads and removed the petals (see above).
Then, boil 4 cups of water.
Add the petals to the boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Next, let them steep for at least six hours. I like to let them steep overnight.
Strain the petals out.
Note: You have dandelion petal tea at this point!
Add the lemon juice.
Bring the tea and lemon juice to a boil.
Add the pectin. Stir and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Add the sugar. Bring it back to a rolling boil and boil for 1-2 minutes.
Pour into sterilized jars. The jelly will last for about 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Note: You can also put the jelly into freezer-safe containers and freeze it. It will last for 6-12 months that way. I would recommend freezing over water bath canning for preservation, simply because you need to be very specific with the water and sugar amounts if you water bath can, in order to prevent microorganism growth.

To wrap things up...

I hope you enjoyed this post, and that you look at the dandelion in a new light. Instead of a pesky weed that gets in the way of a "perfect" yard, maybe this little plant is actually a gift provided by our Creator. It can provide delicious tea, sweet jelly, health benefits, and more! The next time you see a dandelion, take a second look. Consider its resilience, usefulness, and beauty. I hope it can remind you that even the small and simple things in this world can serve a purpose.

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References

Foster, S., & Duke, J. A. (2000). A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). (n.d.). Dandelion. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
University of Maryland Medical Center. (n.d.). Dandelion Root: Health Benefits and Uses. Retrieved from https://umm.edu
The Herbal Academy. (n.d.). All About Dandelion: Benefits, Harvesting, and Recipes.
Psalm 104:14, New International Version. Bible Gateway. https://biblegateway.com
Psalm 119:103, New International Version. Bible Gateway. https://biblegateway.com
Eat The Weeds. (n.d.). Dandelion: King of the Lawn. Retrieved from https://www.eattheweeds.com