Friday, June 5, 2009

A Dandelion Heart's Delight

By Mara Hernandez-Capili

Dandelion Festival will take place on Vermont this year. Vermont is one of the top producers of dandelion products; dandelion is a well known plant of the genus "taraxacum". Dandelion is a multi-purpose plant that is rich in vitamins and minerals, which is why there's a lot more reason to celebrate its abundance.

Dandelion is sometimes mistaken as pesky weeds. For Herbalist, dandelion is a good medicinal and food source. Dandelions are fun to pick and can even beautify life, its roots can be used as coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines as well as its leaves are often used as ingredient in salads and sandwiches. All these, making dandelion one of the best plant there is.

Dandelion Festival is a two day event that provides fun and many family oriented tricks. Such as, Dandelion wine sampling, cellar trips, live entertainment, Arts and crafts and the Dandelion run. In this event, children are given their chance to pick dandelion and enjoy food sample. Also, Children are taught how to make their very own home made dandelion jelly. Having the kids involved makes dandelion festival a good family break.

Dandelion Cook-off is one of the most awaited part of the celebration. Chefs from different known restaurants, displays their specialty dishes containing dandelions. Cash Awards are given to the best dish presented. Dishes made during cook-off are later served for public tasting and evaluation. Aside from the cook-off, a free demonstration is also given to promote the health benefits dandelions bring. Dandelions can be used in many different foods, example these are cheese cakes, muffins, gelatos, salads, and many more.

Today, Dandelions are mainly used as appetite stimulant and medicinal plant. Dandelion leaves and roots are commonly used to cure liver problems and as digestive aid. Some used boiled dandelion roots to aid kidney diseases. Their leaf gives diuretic effect, while their root is an antiviral source and appetite stimulant. Dandelions are now available in many forms it can be purchased in the form of tea, tablets, capsules, tinctures and in liquid forms. It is proven to be safe and economical.

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