FOOD YOU CAN FORAGE

TIFFANY FRANCIS BLOOMSBURY NATURAL HISTORY, £16.99 (PB)

This pretty book is packed full of colourful photographs and illustrations to help the reader safely identify edible plants. While foraging is still commonplace in many countries, it is less so in the UK today, with many of us lacking knowledge or confidence about the types of plants, nuts and berries safe to eat. In Food You Can Forage, Tiffany Francis offers a good introduction to the ancient art of foraging, with easy-to-follow advice on the edible plants you can find in the countryside. She also provides tips on how to pick responsibly and the history and medicinal uses of the various plant species.

The book includes chapters on foraging in woodlands, the coast, heathland and meadows, along with details about the wildlife you might find there. The final chapter includes 20 traditional recipes – I plan to make the wild garlic and cheese scones, which sound delicious.

This is an ideal book to dip in and out of, and compact enough to take on shorter nature rambles. At times the information feels a bit brief for a novice, so it might be worth doing a foraging course or checking with an expert if you are unsure what you’re picking. I’d also like to have seen a bit more coverage of the UK’s foraging laws. Overall, though, this is a refreshing read and the writer’s passion for nature shines through. Carys Matthews, digital editor