In many countries, the sunny dandelion is considered a weed. But in France, it’s the raw material for a glowing jelly called cramaillote. When made with the requisite orange and lemon wedges, dandelion jelly tastes almost like honey, earning it the nickname miel de pissenlit.
There’s a lot to unpack in that nickname. Cramaillot is a regional word for dandelions from eastern France, but today they’re more well known as pissenlit: literally “wet-the-beds.” Dandelions were once thought to be especially useful as a diuretic.
The jelly is made with fresh or dried flowers, but never the bitter, milky stems. After boiling them with citrus wedges and sugar, and straining, the result is a flowery, tangy treat. It’s even been promoted as a vegan alternative to honey, and is also considered good for sore throats. But aspiring cramaillote-makers be warned: Each batch requires hundreds of flowers.
Written By
![Anne Ewbank](https://img.atlasobscura.com/vuewdKWr9icnOawLJLtFD5VUCffpsfjIwaT7nfsk8Q4/rs:fill:41:41:1/g:ce/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS8y/MDE4LzAyLzA3LzEz/LzU3LzU1LzI1ZTc0/OTMyLWJkYjEtNGMy/NS04YTExLThkNWJl/NzAyNDE5Zi9mb3Rv/LmpwZw.jpg)
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- macaronetteng.canalblog.com/archives/2014/05/01/29777780.html
- www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/stories-behind-words-dandelion
- lemeadowsfoodstories.com/2013/04/25/orange-and-mint-syrup-to-gather-dandelion/
- cuisine.journaldesfemmes.fr/recette/1018094-cramaillote-confiture-ou-miel-de-pissenlit