General Information
The green edible leaves of the common yellow flower that grows wild, dandelion greens offer a slightly bitter, but typically pleasant, flavor. The hollow central vein may be green or red and holds a bitter-tasting, milky substance. The paler the leaves, the more tender the greens. The shorter the stem, the better the flavor because of its juicy bitter contents. Once the plants produce flowers, the bitter taste increases. Dandelion flowers are often used for decorative garnish or in salads. Harvested at the most tender stage before flowers appear, dandelion greens generally measure about six to seven inches in length.
History
Although they can be harvested wild, dandelions found in the wild may not be safe to eat as pesticides may have been sprayed on the plants. Locally grown in California at Jaime Farms, this renowned and prosperous farm has been growing outstanding produce since 1997.
