Dandelion Project

Rachel Lambert forager, standing in a field with a bucket of dandelion roots, a dog and a spade

The Dandelion Project (Est. 2024) is a collaboration between local farmers and local people, dandelions, the soil and the elements. Based in far West Cornwall it is inspired by the abundance and multiple benefits of dandelions for the soil, pollinators and us. The projects aims to; strengthen community and create a low-impact product, as close to carbon neutral as possible, while celebrating this humble ‘weed’.

Mother and son digging up wild dandelion roots in Cornish field
Rachel Lambert (forager) and Klaudia Van Gool (herbalist) holding up freshly dug up dandelion roots
Three women foraging dandelion roots in a field in Cornwall

Over the winter of 2024/25 small groups of volunteer diggers came to enjoy time outdoors and a little physical exercise to dig up dandelions together. We took every 5th (ish) root, leaving lots to help restore the soils. The dandelions were then washed, dried and roasted by hand before being handed over to Newlyn Fermentary where they were transformed into a Dandelion Cola drink!

Homemade roasted dandelion roots in a jar next to a basket and two raw, freshly dug wild dandelion roots
Bottle of dandelion cola at Newlyn Fermentary

A truly local product

The dandelion roots were dug by hand less than 10 miles from the Fermentary and sold in reusable bottles as a water kefir drink, combining the goodness of kefir with inulin present in dandelion roots. Inulin promotes good gut bacteria which is essential for good health. The aim of this project was to make a low carbon, circular economy product.

This project was supported and part-funded by the Evolve Futures, University of Exeter. This project has now finished though you I am offering dandelion, forage and dig events.

Infographic of process of community and environmental benefis of the Dandelion Project