The holidays are over and officially the Christmas tree had to go out during Epiphany (January 6). But this doesn’t always seem to work for everyone. For anyone who still has their fir tree standing, the following advice from experts may be welcome: “Don’t throw away your Christmas tree, eat it!”
The pine needles seem to contain a lot of vitamin C, nutritionists and chefs say to British and American media.
Julia Georgallis, cookbook author How to eat your Christmas tree, says opposite The Guardian that the pine needles are similar to rosemary or bay leaf. “Real tastemakers!” it says. She does advise wearing gloves while preparing.
Chef John Williams, who works at Michelin star restaurant Ritz in London, is also not averse to a piece of tree. In return for Mirror he says that the needles of the are incredibly fragrant and spicy. He thinks it’s great to enhance the taste of celeriac, for example. And as icing on the cake, they can also be used in sweet baked goods, such as shortbread cookies.
‘Earthy taste’
René Redzepi, the chef of the three-star restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, also says The Observer that he has been cooking with Christmas trees for decades. “The needles add an earthy and citrusy flavor.”
So pine needles can be added to almost every dish, according to the experts. But they do emphasize that it is essential that the trees are organic and not treated with pesticides.
So pay attention before you cut the Christmas tree.