Dandelion flowers syrup. Photo by Petr Skrypnikov.

Dandelion buds, flowers, roots, and leaves (when young) are used in food. Similar to herbs, dandelion flowers can be made into a flavorful syrup. Its initial buds, which grow right near the ground in the center of its rosette, can be pickled like capers, and its toasted and ground roots used to make a drink resembling coffee. Dandelion has a bitter flavor, but there are several ways to get rid of it. For example, covering the plant with an opaque material for a day will turn the leaves pale and remove bitterness. Afterwards, the dandelion greens can be served fresh in salads.

Dandelion flowers and buds (in the right corner).

This work was commissioned for the exhibition “I don’t know whether the Earth is spinning or not...”, curated by Francesca Altamura and Lizaveta Matveeva for the VII Moscow International Biennale for Young Art.