Common Names - Gorse, Common Gorse, Furze, Prickly Broom
Habitat - Scrublands, Roadsides, Wastelands, Heaths
Distribution - Native To Europe. Naturalised Across The World
Edible Parts - Flowers (In Moderation)

Identification
Gorse bushes can grow up to around 3 to 4 metres in height. Its flowers are bright yellow & look similar to pea flowers. Its leaves are bright green extremely prickly, they cover the entire of the gorse branches. The seed pods are black/brown with white hairs.

Does Gorse Flower All Year Round?
Here in the UK, we can enjoy gorse flowers all year long because there are three types of gorse that grow abundantly here. Common gorse (Ulex Europaeus) western gorse (ulex gallii) & dwarf gorse (ulex minor). These all have the bright yellow edible flowers & pretty much look identical, the only main difference being common Gorse can grow to a larger size. These three species flower at separate times giving us the impression that gorse flowers all year round.

Nutritional Value
The flowers contain low amounts of protein, calcium & sodium.

Culinary Uses
The gorse flower's smell like sweet coconut on a sunny day & make a fun bright yellow herbal tea you can make fresh outside that carries with it a hint of this coconut like flavour. The key to collecting gorse is to collect the flowers on a warm, bright, sunny day. In the dead of winter you might have to smell your way through the gorse to find one that is holding enough scent worthy of a wild tea. Gorse flowers have also been used to make bright yellow whiskeys, wines, beers, teas, cordials, syrups & jams. It's worth a note that consuming large amounts of gorse is not recommended.

Check Out Some Of Our Gorse Flower Recipes!