Just after Christmas, I was at a friend’s home and was admiring her tree. Seeing that it was a pine, I did what any normal person would do. I pulled off a few needles and tasted them. Sincerely, it was some of the best pine I’ve ever had, and she happily let me gather a bagful of needles.
The next evening I was gifted a bagful of Scotch pine branches from another friend. I think it’s awesome that despite the fact that my friends may consider me “different”, they love me enough to honor who I am.
Of course, pine is quite abundant in my area and I don’t have to rely on friends and their Christmas trees to get my fix.
Just a word of caution about using Christmas trees before we go on. Know where and how the tree was grown before using. It may have been sprayed with chemicals, or even colored green. You don’t want to consume these trees.
Properties of Pine
Pine needles are high in vitamins A and C. The oil of pine is analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antineuralgic, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, cholagogue, decongestant, deodorant, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, insecticide, stimulant, and vermifuge.
Identification
Pine trees are, of course, evergreens and so the needles are available year round. All evergreens, however, are not necessarily pines.
Pine can easily be identified by their needles which always grow in clusters of 2 to 5 depending on the species. The needles of no other evergreen grow in clusters.
If you’re looking for more info on identifying evergreen trees, see my post Identifying Pines, Spruces, Hemlocks and Firs.
Collecting Pine Needles
If there are several pines in the area where you are foraging, go ahead and taste needles from different trees. Some will be better than others. Collect needles from the tastiest tree.
Young pine needles will be the most flavorful; those are the needles found closest to the ends of each branch.
Eating Pine Needle
Warning: It is generally advised that pregnant women not consume pine because ponderosa pine needles have caused abortion in cattle. And, of course, do not consume pine if you are allergic.
Yes, you can just nibble on a pine needle. Making a tea of them is simple and quite delicious. Just pour boiling water over a small bunch of fresh or dried pine needles and steep for about 5 minutes. Strain, and add honey, if desired.
The tea is especially nice if you have a cold since it is both an expectorant and decongestant.
Pine Needle Infused Olive Oil for Salad Dressing
One of my favorite ways to use pine needles is to infuse them in olive oil for use in salad dressing. The needles should first be spread out to dry for a few days. The moisture in fresh needles (or any herb that you might infuse) can cause mold, so it’s always best to use dried.
Pack a 1 cup canning jar (or other glass container) with dried pine needles, leaving a good inch at the top. Chopping the needles first is optional, but does seem to impart more of the wonderful pine flavor and aroma.
Cover the needles with olive oil, and put the lid on your jar. Now allow your needles to infuse for a week or two in a warm, dark spot.
Alternatively, you may place the jar of needles and oil in a dehydrator set at 100°F for about 8 hours. Or see this post Five Ways to Make an Herb Infused Oil for even more ideas on how to infuse your pine needles into oil.
Strain your oil for use in your favorite salad dressing recipe, or use my recipe below.
Pine needles may also be infused in vinegar for your salad dressing, but I find that the infused oil has a much nicer flavor.
Olive Oil Isn’t Just for Salad Dressing
And don’t forget – olive oil isn’t just for salad dressing. It makes the most amazing olive oil bread dip. Make sure you give it a try!
Other Pine Needle Recipes
Oven Roasted Potatoes on a Bed of Pine
Fermented Pine Needle and Raspberry Soda
Pine and Honey Moisturizing Lip Balm
Pine Bath Salts for Stress Relief
How to Harvest Pine Resin and Use it to Make a Salve
More Than Weeds
A Foraging eCourse for Beginners
Are you interested in foraging, but a bit hesitant because you don’t trust your own abilities? I created a mini eCourse just for you. In More Than Weeds: 5 Common Plants to Forage for Food and Medicine you’ll learn that identifying plants is all in the details.
Using common plants with which may be someone familiar you’ll learn beginner botany skills that you will be able to use as you move forward. You’ll gain confidence to use these plants for your family in food and safe, home remedies. Get started now!
Pine Needle Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup pine needle infused olive oil see post for instructions
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic pressed
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients. This is enough dressing for one large salad.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Holly Bose @ Your Gardening Friend says
I’ve got to make this. I’ve never made, or even tasted, pine needle salad dressing, but that won’t be for long.
We have huge pine trees at the edge of a section of our property just waiting to be turned into salad dressing. 🙂
Kristel Wiesner says
I love the salad dressing idea. I’ve never used pine needles in food so I can’t wait to try this. I’ll try the tea first to see if I like the flavor.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kristel, be sure to let me know what you think!
Lyn says
Since I’m in a gang of food lovers on FaceBook I will have to try it and report back. Should be interesting.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hope you enjoy it, Lyn!
lilly says
can you please speak to the solubility of those vitamins (as they occur in pine needles) in an oil-based solvent? thanks! 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Lilly! That’s a really fantastic question. I do not know the answer with certainty. I know that there are claims that herb infused oils contain the medicinal properties of the herb, but I haven’t specifically read anything about them containing the vitamins, especially water-soluble vitamins.
Brenda says
I never even considered trying pine needles, I’m so making tea. Very cool
Susan Vinskofski says
Enjoy!!!
tessa says
Susan – this is seriously the coolest thing I’ve seen all week!! I’m so going to try this! Have I invited you to join my foraging board on Pinterest? Here it is, we’d love to have you: https://www.pinterest.com/homesteadlady/foraging-and-wild-edibles/
tessa says
Oh, wait – there you are! So glad to have you pinning!
Susan Vinskofski says
🙂
Tammy Trayer says
Susan this is AWESOME!! We enjoy pine needle tea all the time, especially when we hit the woods for the day and build a fire to relax and it is a must to brew some pine needle tea, but it never occurred to me to use it like this. I can’t WAIT to try this… I sure would LOVE to have you join me on my Mountain Woman Radio sometime. You are such a wealth of information and I love your style sweet friend. Let me know or feel free to pick a date to join me at http://trayerwilderness.com/interview-scheduler.
Blessings and thanks so much for sharing this!
Dave says
Love this. I’m seeing more chefs starting to use pine and other conifers in their cooking. Hope it picks up, because it’s a local food for much of the U.S.
Be careful with farmed trees – they’re often sprayed with various things, even green dye to keep them looking “fresh”
I’d probably stick to pine needles gathered from trees I know aren’t sprayed.
Susan Vinskofski says
Great tip, Dave!
Aunt Jane says
Sounds like a great idea BUT most bought trees have been treated to make them stay fresh! I be hesitant to use commercial trees!
Pam Knight says
I have Douglas Fir all over my property, but not pine; are the needles (new growth) interchangeable in this recipe?
Susan Vinskofski says
Yes, you may use Douglas Fir in this recipe instead of pine.