The plant belongs to the Aster family and has an unprepossessing appearance.
leaves and stems topped with a basket inflorescence. Other names
– white root, oat root, sweet root, vegetable oyster,
jerusalem star, fucking beard, salsify… Such a variety
names already in itself suggests that people are familiar with the goatbeard
very long ago and close.
Growing mostly in the Asian region and Europe, it
the plant is remarkable for its unpretentiousness. It has been for a long time
gained fame as a delicious treat all over the world, which is why people
began to cultivate the goatbeard specially. And it is called that because of the similarity of its faded inflorescence with a goat’s beard.
To date, more than 145 species of goatbeard are known, most
of which are wild. Only certain species are cultivated and used
as a medicinal raw material or product.
The most popular is the long-leaved goatbeard,
whose root is edible and tastes like an oyster,
thanks to which it can successfully replace this expensive product.
Cylindrical in shape, brown, gray-white or yellowish
colors, the root of the goatbeard becomes when properly cooked
soft, delicate and pleasant to the taste, having an incomparable aroma
oysters and a long seafood aftertaste.
The closest relative of the goatbeard has also become famous – Spanish
scythes… The creamy, creamy pulp of its root tastes like
asparagus
and artichokes.
This taste has long been appreciated in Europe, therefore, since the .th century,
culinary experts have adopted its application, recognizing the root as a delicacy.
For this, it is grown in Belgium, Italy, Holland and
France.
How to choose
It is quite difficult to find the roots of goatbeard on sale, except that
On the market. If you find this plant in nature and decide for yourself
stock up on roots, then remember – roots can only be taken from a young
plants.
How to store
If you decide to stock up on goatbeard roots yourself,
then know that they are dug out of the ground in late autumn and put in a cold
purified water, after adding a little citric acid
or salt. Such
the procedure will relieve the product from the bitterness that is inherent in the roots, after which
they are used at their own discretion.
Do not be alarmed if the roots, already soaked in water, have darkened a little.
Is a normal reaction. But you can not eat previously faded
plant. To do this, he should not be allowed to bloom, removing in a timely manner
inflorescences.
But that’s not all! The fact is that not only are edible in this plant
roots, but also leaves, stems. True, they must be processed.
in order to get rid of the juice with the same bitterness. For this tops
passed through the palms, while rotational movements need
how to squeeze out the juice, or simply soaked in acidified (salted)
cold water.
In cooking
Goatbeard needs to be cooked, although sometimes it
taken in food and raw (only young roots). Also his
stew, fry, boil, bake,
can be added to salads, soups, served as a side dish or as a stand-alone
dish. Peel off the top red layer before cooking.
and immediately put in water with vinegar so that the root
did not darken. It is recommended to boil the root in the same water, then wash
and serve with cream
or sauce. You can additionally simmer the roots in oil or fry
deep-fried in batter.
Oyster-flavored soup is made from goatbred. Also in soups, the root
the plant acquires vanilla
aroma. In addition, goat beetle is used as an aromatic and
flavoring additive to ice cream and drinks, to pickled vegetables,
in side dishes and salads.
Goatbeard goes well with thick creamy sauces and
any vegetables. It is also good in combination with cheeses, fish, herbs.
And the long and straight shape of its roots makes it possible with ease
grate them and add them to dishes as usual horseradish.
Caloric value
The calorie content of the dried goat root is low – only
82 kcal. Therefore, the plant is used in dietary nutrition.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
Proteins, g Fats, g Carbohydrates, g Ash, g Water, g Calorie content, kcal 3,3 0,2 15,3 – – 82
Useful properties of goatbeard
Composition and presence of nutrients
Goatbeard contains many vitamins and nutrients,
including such beneficial for our body as ascorbic
and pantothenic acid, thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin
AT 6. The plant also contains iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium,
manganese, copper, magnesium, selenium and sodium. In addition, the goatbeard is rich
mineral salts, sugars, fiber,
inulin and proteins.
Useful and healing properties
100 grams of goatbeard contains 15 percent of the recommended
daily potassium intake. It helps to stabilize blood pressure, reduces
stress on the heart and blood vessels, and also prevents the formation of blood clots,
strokes
and heart attacks.
The goat beetle is also useful in the diet of patients with diabetes mellitus.
The use of goatbeard can solve many problems of the digestive
systems. Thanks to its fiber, it relieves constipation.
Inulin, which is a prebiotic,
increases the growth of bifidobacteria in the intestine and the efficiency of absorption
nutrients, strengthening the immune system.
Iron and copper in goat breeds improve circulation
blood. In addition, this plant has been shown to stimulate
Hair Growth. Variety of plant nutrients
have a beneficial effect on almost the entire body.
The goatbeard is also used in folk medicine. So, poultice
from its root is used against bee stings. And the tea from this plant
are prescribed to reduce internal or postpartum bleeding,
profuse urination, relieve abdominal pain, fever,
diarrhea. Also from
infusion of goatbeard make baths for rheumatism and edema. Besides
In addition, a decoction of the root is advised as an expectorant for catarrh
respiratory tract, bronchitis,
as a diuretic for kidney disease and for different
skin diseases. The ground part of the plant is often used as
compresses as a wound healing and absorbing agent for phlegmon,
purulent wounds, tumors and ulcers.
Use in cosmetology
In cosmetology, juice and chopped raw root relieve irritation,
as well as a variety of allergic
manifestations. Boiled goat is used as an ingredient
nourishing masks for sensitive skin. Besides
In addition, rinsing hair with goatbrew infusion will help eliminate
dandruff.
Dangerous properties of goatbeard
Goatbeard should not be used only in case of individual intolerance.
