The satisfying pursuit of foraging

Wandering along the hedgerow searching for the largest, juiciest blackberries with my bowl half full in my left hand held aloft in readiness. The fingertips of my right hand tinged black with the juice from plucking the odd overripe fruit, poised until my eye alights on the perfect fruit. There is something quite primal about gathering in fruit from a hedgerow.

As children, this activity would become quite competitive amongst my siblings and I. Who could fill their bowl the quickest? Who could find the largest fruit? Blackberries were our fruit of choice, occasionally raspberries and if we were in the hills, then bilberries. My father was an expert and really knew what he was doing so would forage for all sorts of things, but for us kids, from the earliest age we were taught to recognise the basics - blackberries, raspberries and bilberries.

It is essential when foraging to know what you are picking beyond any doubt. The consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic, so if you are just starting out, stick to the most common, safest options in your area that are unmistakable. Do your research if you’re not sure - get a book or go on a course or go out with someone that really knows what they're doing that can show you what to look for.

The joy of foraging is two-fold. Firstly, you’ve got the searching element. The very act of hunting out the best fruit is a mindful activity, but there is also something deeply satisfying about it too. We are after all hunter-gatherers by nature. Gathering food like this is embedded deep in our psyche. Going to the supermarket to buy fruit just isn’t the same. Actually going our into nature and searching for the best fruit and plucking it from the bush is deeply rewarding. Also, it can be a nice social activity if you take a friend or family members along. Secondly of course is in the eating. Whether you sneak the odd, delicious fruit straight into your mouth whilst foraging, or take it home to add to a dish like blackberry and apple crumble, the eating is also extra special knowing that you have harvested the fruit yourself straight from nature. Of course, all of our food ultimately comes from nature, but having that direct connection of having found it on the plant in the wild yourself and then brought it home is immensely satisfying. Modern society has largely lost that connection with our food. It’s just something you get from the supermarket. Well yes in a way, but ultimately all food is a gift from nature whether it is processed or not.

In an urban setting there are a few things to bear in mind when you are foraging. Apart from being absolutely certain you know what you are foraging, I would also recommend being mindful of where you are gathering from. It is best to go to sites that are away from traffic and other sources of pollution. You should also consider whether you are free to gather from the site or whether you need permission. It is best practice when foraging just to take a little from here and there and just for your own needs. Be mindful to gather in a sustainable way, not damaging the plants and leaving plenty for nature and other foragers. Apart from that, all you really need is a keen eye, a steady hand (to avoid the thorns in the case of blackberries), and a receptacle to put your foraged items into. If you are gathering berries, you might want to consider using a box or tin with a lid, so you can get them home safely without spilling. Why not give it a go?

‘With September comes the harvest, a reminder of nature's abundance and generosity.’ — Unknown