For most the stinging nettle hold little attraction and is best remembered as the painful landing zone for wobbling childhood cycle rides.

Nettles therefore have something of a bad name, but in foraging circles the flavours to be found form this most common weed are highly prized. Firstly there is the extremely tasty nettle soup, or nettles can be used make an excellent final finishing to beer as evidenced in Stinger Ale. But for us at Wild Side the stinging Nettle is best used in our highly popular Nettle Cordial.

But any old nettle just wont do. For the best results we seek out only the youngest shoots and then use just the top six leaves, selecting the softest and tastiest tips, just like tea picking but with more back ache! Of course, grasping the nettle is a hazardous business and protective measures need to be deployed. Mrs T swears by Marigolds but I find this an affront to my masculinity so I use a pair of thinsulate gloves which are as effective at keeping out the stings as they at keeping out the cold.

The nettle tips are then washed throughly and mixed into a sugar and water mix to steep overnight, after which they are strained off, the resulting cordial being heated and sealed ready for sale.

But what do you use Nettle Cordial for I hear you ask. The nettle infusion makes quite a sharp zingy and zesty cordial, similar to Lime in is ability to refresh. It is great to dilute and simple use as a drink, but my preference is to use it as an addition to Gin or Prosecco.

Try some and you will never see the green shoots of nettles in the same way again!