The Devon Reds have moved higher onto the limestone grassland today. Close inspection reveals that they are tucking into the purple shooting bramble leaves as they push up through the dry grass.
I have always associated bramble, for culinary purposes, with autumn fruit, delicious in crumble and jam. Of course, our honey bees devour bramble flower nectar in late June, producing precious stores of bramble honey if we are lucky. Without doubt, the combined taste and texture of bramble honey is simply the best...
Today, seeing the cattle feasting on succulent, young bramble shoots added a further credence to the culinary possibilities of the thug-like bramble. Vicious backward growing thorns take no prisoners, punishing careless gardener's hands with glee!
