PHOTO OF THE WEEK, Sweet Woodruff

[Jack Schmidling]

Also known as Sweet Woodruff or Waldmeister in German, this herb is the basis for traditional May Wine.

js

[Cheryl Isaak]

Also spreads quickly. And does pretty well in sun and I'm thinking of trying it in the lawn.

C

[William Wagner]

I started with one plug 30 years ago. Now have about 80 by 80 foot area. Not invasive. Likes leaves off early but not a necessity.

May wine we did.

Large bowl wet coated with sugar. Straw berries to taste and eye. Weak white wine poured slowly. Flowers of the woodruff floating about.

Bill

[Billy Rose]

or

MAY WINE

1 bottle of German White Wine 1/2 cup Fresh Strawberries, sliced 12 sprigs of fresh woodruff

Pour wine into carafe or wide mouth bottle. Add strawberries and woodruff and allow to blend for at least an hour. Strain and serve well chilled. Garnish with thin orange slice. The strawberries add a wonderful flavour and the woodruff adds sweetness.

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May Wine recipe Choose a light German white wine, the younger the better. You don't want to spend much on this wine. Pour into a bowl. Add a half-ounce of dried sweet woodruff (or four or five freshly dried sprigs) and a couple of tablespoons of sugar, if you like. Cover it. Let it rest in the refrigerator overnight so the wine is infused with the herb's essence. Strain out the herb. Place the wine in a punch bowl, add strawberries and serve cold.

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Mai-Bowle

Zutat, Art

frischen Waldmeister eine Flasche Weißwein Zucker, je nach Geschmack

Den Waldmeister in ein Bowlegefäß geben, mit dem Weißwein auffüllen und etwa eine halbe Stunde in den Kühlschrank stellen. Anschließend den Waldmeister herausnehmen und den Wein je nach Geschmack süßen.

Put woodruff in bowl with white wine and let it sit in the refrigerator for half an hour. Remove woodruff from bowl and sweeten with sugar to taste.

- Billy Coloribus gustibus non disputatum (mostly)