- Joined
- Jun 3, 2010
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During these outings I like to practice skills. These will be reposted in the bushcraft section. Always pack at least 3 ways to start a fire. Marginal methods shouldn't be considered primary means rather backup skills. Never consume anything you're not 100% sure about.
Wild edibles.
Here is how I make Hemlock (the conifer tree) needle tea in the snow. First for those who might not be informed these are Hemlock needles.
The water is heated over a fire. I start that fire on a platform which then melts it's way into the snow. A camp stove would also work. The water is heated to a boil.
The cook pot is taken off the fire once a boil is achieved. I don't want to boil the needles so the pot is placed on sticks floated on top of the snow. Direct contact with the snow would cool it down too fast IMHO. The needles are put into the water then allowed to steep for 5-10 minutes off the heat. Quantity of needles is up to the the person drinking the tea. I don't remove the needles from the bough ends with Hemlock tea.
Optional step. As this is Hemlock tea in the snow the water came from melting snow. This wasn't nice new fresh fuffy stuff. This was old nasty snow from multiple storms, melts etc etc. Even digging down produced some funky particles of woodland joy. I used my bandanna to filter out the floaters. As stated this is optional.
If done right the tea shouldn't taste like turpentine.
Here is a video of how I do the process. Thanks for looking.
[video=youtube;xiFL28zzayw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiFL28zzayw[/video]
Wild edibles.
Here is how I make Hemlock (the conifer tree) needle tea in the snow. First for those who might not be informed these are Hemlock needles.
The water is heated over a fire. I start that fire on a platform which then melts it's way into the snow. A camp stove would also work. The water is heated to a boil.
The cook pot is taken off the fire once a boil is achieved. I don't want to boil the needles so the pot is placed on sticks floated on top of the snow. Direct contact with the snow would cool it down too fast IMHO. The needles are put into the water then allowed to steep for 5-10 minutes off the heat. Quantity of needles is up to the the person drinking the tea. I don't remove the needles from the bough ends with Hemlock tea.
Optional step. As this is Hemlock tea in the snow the water came from melting snow. This wasn't nice new fresh fuffy stuff. This was old nasty snow from multiple storms, melts etc etc. Even digging down produced some funky particles of woodland joy. I used my bandanna to filter out the floaters. As stated this is optional.
If done right the tea shouldn't taste like turpentine.
Here is a video of how I do the process. Thanks for looking.
[video=youtube;xiFL28zzayw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiFL28zzayw[/video]