Cleavers

Galium aparine

nuts & seeds · drink

Small hooked seeds that cling to clothing, roasted then ground as a coffee substitute; the young shoots are cooked.

Origin

Europe and Asia

Where to find it

Everywhere in hedges, woodland edges and gardens, where it climbs over other plants; the seeds are harvested in late summer by combing the dry stems.

Season (United States)

June to August

Preparation

The seeds are roasted in a pan until brown, ground, then brewed like coffee; the young shoots are cooked for a few minutes.

Did you know?

It belongs to the coffee family, which explains its coffee taste; but it has no caffeine.