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Stinging Nettles are small to medium in size and are ovate or lanceolate in shape, averaging 3-15 centimeters in length. The dark green leaves form in opposing pairs and have widely-toothed edges, coarse veins, and the edges taper into a slight point. Stiff, tiny hairs, known as trichomes, also cover the leaves and the thick, rigid square stems. Once the hairs are removed from the plant, it can be consumed. Stinging Nettle leaves are tender, mild, and have a green flavor similar to spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Stinging Nettles are available year-round, with peak season in the spring and early summer.
Current Facts
Stinging Nettles, botanically classified as Urtica dioica, are in the Urtucaceae family, whose name comes from the Latin uro meaning, to burn, and is classified as an herb but is used more like a vegetable. Also known as the Common Nettle, Roman Nettle, or California Nettle, Stinging Nettles are most often considered a common weed and are known for the irritating little hairs that cover the leaves, earning its stinging title. If handled, the tips of the tiny hairs break off and become needle-like protrusions that exude histamine and acetylcholine that can cause an itching sensation along with redness, swelling, and numbness. Despite the itchy reputation, they have also been used since ancient times for medicinal, culinary, and textile purposes. Stinging Nettles were even used to make cloth, rope, and fishing nets during World War I in Germany and Austria.
Nutritional Value
Stinging Nettles are nutrient-rich with vitamins A, B2, C, and K, as well as minerals like potassium, folate, calcium, and iron. The plant is also high in chlorophyll, which is a green pigment related to the plant’s photosynthesis but is also beneficial for good health. Chlorophyll can help control hunger, encourage healing, and cleanse the body of toxins. It is also effective in relieving swelling and redness, promoting healthy iron levels, and contains high amounts of antioxidants.
Applications
Stinging Nettles should be handled with care using thick gloves or tongs. They should be washed well in a colander under cool running water to remove dirt build-up and to remove the small needles. Cooking the leaves after washing will also help get rid of its stinging qualities. Stinging Nettle leaves can be used just like spinach in egg dishes, soups, or stews. They can be pureed for a variation on pesto, used on pizza or in lasagnas, and blended into cold soups. The leaves are most well-known for the British nettle soup that is believed to help cleanse the blood. In Scotland, the leaves are used to make nettle pudding with leeks, broccoli, and rice. Stinging Nettle leaves are also used to make teas and a beverage similar to ginger beer. One of the unique uses for Stinging Nettles is as an alternative to rennet for cheese making. Leaves are boiled along with an almost equal amount of salt, and then the concoction is strained and added to fresh milk. Stinging Nettle pairs well with full-fat dairy, which helps the body absorb the antioxidants in the leaves, sharp cheddar cheeses, eggs, chives, onions, and garlic. They will keep up to three days when stored unwashed and in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Stinging Nettle has been used as a pain remedy and as a woven material in Europe for centuries. The Greek physician, Hippocrates, who lived during the 4th and 5th century had over sixty reported remedies using the herb. In Scotland before the 17th century, a fiber made from the stems of the Stinging Nettle was woven into linen and was considered to be one of the most durable fabrics of its time. The herb’s use as a tea is also well-known for helping relieve mucus congestion, stimulate digestion, and may help nursing mothers produce milk.
Geography/History
Stinging Nettles are native to the colder climates of northern Europe and Asia and have been grown for thousands of years. Burial shrouds constructed of fabric from the Stinging Nettle were found in Denmark and date back to the Bronze Age (roughly 3000 to 2000 BCE). Today, Stinging Nettles can be found growing all over the world due to explorers and immigrants bringing the herb with them on their travels. They are cultivated as well as foraged and are most often found at farmer’s markets or specialty health stores in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
Coleman Family Farms
Santa Barbara, CA
Stinging Nettles: These unique plants have dark green leaves with widely-toothed edges and are covered in tiny, stiff hairs called trichomes. These hairs can sting upon contact but are removed prior to consumption. The leaves are tender and have a mild, spinach-like taste, offering a fresh, green flavor. The leaves range from 3 to 15 centimeters in length and form in opposing pairs along thick, square stems.
Coleman Family Farms
Stinging Nettle leaves from Coleman farms..Stinging Nettle leaves should be handled with care due to their stinging hairs, which can be neutralized by washing or cooking. Known for their mild, spinach-like flavor, they are versatile in cooking, used in soups, stews, pesto, or even nettle pudding in Scotland. They also serve as a natural rennet alternative for cheese making. Nettles pair well with full-fat dairy, sharp cheddar, and aromatic ingredients like chives and garlic to enhance their nutritional benefits.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Stinging Nettles, also known as Common Nettle or Roman Nettle, have tiny hairs on their leaves that release histamine and acetylcholine when touched, causing redness, itching, and numbness. Despite this, they have been valued for centuries for their versatility. During World War I, Germany and Austria even used Stinging Nettles to create cloth, rope, and fishing nets, showcasing their impressive functional and practical uses beyond food and medicine.
Open Air Bazaar of Heraklion (Υπαίθρια Αγορά Ηρακλείου)
Itanou 11, 713 07, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Stinging Nettles have a long historical significance, with finds like burial shrouds made of nettle fabric dating back to the Bronze Age in Denmark, showcasing their use in ancient textiles. While originally native to northern Europe and Asia, their global spread is largely thanks to explorers and immigrants. Today, this versatile herb is valued worldwide and is often available in farmer’s markets and specialty health stores across multiple continents.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Stinging Nettle has a rich history as both a remedy and a resource. Hippocrates, a Greek physician, documented over sixty uses for this herb. In Scotland before the 17th century, the stems were crafted into linen, regarded as exceptionally durable. The herb is also known for its medicinal properties, aiding mucus relief, digestion stimulation, and potentially boosting milk production in nursing mothers when consumed as tea.
Coleman Family Farms
Stinging Nettles from Coleman Family Farms..Stinging Nettles are covered in tiny, stiff hairs called trichomes that can sting when touched. The hairs must be removed before the plant can be consumed. The leaves, with their toothed edges and tapering points, have a mild, tender, green flavor reminiscent of spinach. These plants feature square stems and dark green, ovate or lance-shaped leaves growing in opposing pairs. They typically measure between 3-15 centimeters in length.
Stinging Nettles are versatile in the kitchen and can be used as a spinach substitute in dishes like egg bakes, soups, or stews. They shine in traditional British nettle soup, thought to cleanse the blood, and Scottish nettle pudding made with leeks, broccoli, and rice. They are also used in teas and even as a rennet alternative in cheese-making. Pair them with full-fat dairy to enhance antioxidant absorption and store them unwashed in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to three days.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Stinging Nettles from Schaner Farms..Stinging Nettles are notably nutrient-packed, containing vitamins A, B2, C, and K, along with minerals like potassium, folate, calcium, and iron. Rich in chlorophyll, the plant supports healing, toxin removal, and healthy iron levels. Ancient uses include medicinal treatments, food preparation, and textiles, as they were made into cloth, rope, and fishing nets during World War I in Germany and Austria.
Stinging Nettles have an ancient history, with burial shrouds made from their fabric discovered in Denmark, dating back to the Bronze Age between 3000 and 2000 BCE. Though native to northern Europe and Asia's colder climates, they have spread globally due to explorers and immigrants. Today, they thrive worldwide and are available through cultivation and foraging, especially at farmer’s markets and specialty health stores across multiple continents.
Coleman Family Farms
Stinging Nettles from Coleman Family Farms..Stinging Nettles have a rich history of usage. In Europe, they were valued for their medicinal properties, with Greek physician Hippocrates documenting over sixty remedies. In Scotland before the 17th century, fibers from Stinging Nettle stems were woven into a durable linen fabric. The herb is also known for its benefits as a tea, helping alleviate mucus congestion, aiding digestion, and potentially boosting milk production in nursing mothers.
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