Harvesting and Cooking with Edible Tree Bark

Date:Nov 10, 2011

Country: United States

Application

• Provides a sustainable food source for survival situations or off-grid living.
• Offers an alternative ingredient for foraged recipes and natural food preparation.

Description

This project explores the use of tree bark, particularly the inner cambium layer, as a nutritious and sustainable food source. It highlights the historical and cultural use of tree bark by Native Americans and northern European cultures. The article provides practical guidance on identifying, harvesting, and preparing edible bark, with a focus on pine bark. Recipes like Pine Bark Cookies demonstrate how this foraged food can be integrated into modern diets.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process involves identifying the right tree species with edible bark, specifically the cambium layer. The outer bark is then shaved off to reveal the soft, white inner bark. The bark is either fried for immediate consumption or dried for longer storage. To make flour, the dried bark is ground into a powder using a blender or traditional stone methods, which can be used in recipes like Pine Bark Cookies.