There are a lot of plants we consider weeds that used to be cultivated as staple crops. Industrialization meant only the most productive species got attention for mechanization. Less productive species fell out of favour and now are kind of lost knowledge.
Lamb’s quarters: also called goosefoot or wild spinach. It’s related to quinoa and both the seeds and the leaves were eaten.
Purslane: grows in poor soils and is hardy. Still used in Mediterranean cooking but is considered a garden weed in a lot of the world
Dandelions and amaranth: both were cultivated, and most amaranth varieties are considered weeds now
Sorrel: tough leafy green with a tangy flavour used prior to citrus in Europe.
Ground elder: hated by gardeners and farmers. A nice spring leafy green planted around monestaries
Mallow: used to thicken soups and stews. Still used in the middle east and Mediterranean but is considered a weed elsewhere.
Nettles: you’ve probably heard of this one? Not farmed anymore to my knowledge.
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Weeds are often more nutritious than straight grass.
Southern culture even made it local cuisine, out of economic necessity, like poke(weed) sallet.
Similarly, I can’t imagine someone started eating collard greens because they tasted better than more standard vegetables.
There are a lot of plants we consider weeds that used to be cultivated as staple crops. Industrialization meant only the most productive species got attention for mechanization. Less productive species fell out of favour and now are kind of lost knowledge.
Lamb’s quarters: also called goosefoot or wild spinach. It’s related to quinoa and both the seeds and the leaves were eaten.
Purslane: grows in poor soils and is hardy. Still used in Mediterranean cooking but is considered a garden weed in a lot of the world
Dandelions and amaranth: both were cultivated, and most amaranth varieties are considered weeds now
Sorrel: tough leafy green with a tangy flavour used prior to citrus in Europe.
Ground elder: hated by gardeners and farmers. A nice spring leafy green planted around monestaries
Mallow: used to thicken soups and stews. Still used in the middle east and Mediterranean but is considered a weed elsewhere.
Nettles: you’ve probably heard of this one? Not farmed anymore to my knowledge.
Dandelions are used in salads, and can be brewed like a tea.
That can’t be true, hunger and hardship are brand new inventions… “then” everything was amazing and no one had problems.