Christmas trees should be eaten rather than thrown away, say chefs

03 January 2023 , 13:46

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There is no need to throw away the Christmas tree at the end of each year (Image: Getty Images)

Chefs has bizarrely claimed that Christmas trees should be eaten instead of being thrown away as they have many health benefits.

In what may come as a shock to many, all the parts of the tree can be used.

According to some food experts, eating your Christmas tree is "healthy" and better for the planet, compared to chucking it away at the end of the festive year.

Some chefs even say that the tree, when used as a comestibles in dishes - both sweet or savoury - is a great source of Vitamin C, report the Express.

They say that if the tree is organic, then you can "pretty much eat the whole thing".

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If the tree is fresh and organic, then it can be used in many dishes (AFP via Getty Images)

In fact, all parts of the tree can be used to be turned it into ice cream, cookies, as a powder, or using it inside gin.

René Redzepi, a chef at the three-Michelin-starred Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, says he has been using pine needles in his cooking for 20 years.

And he has gone as far to liken the tree to something that many people already use to cook with - rosemary.

The chef said: "Think of it as rosemary - you can use it in just about anything."

Using parts of the tree in cooking is 'healthy' and good for the environment (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

And the needles can also be used to pickle vegetables or eggs, be used as infusions or in many drinks.

Food experts have also suggested making a pine ash by cooking parts of the tree in an oven until charred.

The parts can then be whizzed in a blender to create a black powder for flavouring, or to be infused within salt or butter, for example.

Speaking about how every part of the tree can be utilised, Julia Georgallis, a baker and author of How to Eat Your Christmas Tree, said: "You can pretty much eat the whole thing.

"You can use the needles as you would use rosemary or bay leaves, for flavour."

You can get really creative when using part of the tree - by using it in cookies, ice cream or infusing with gin (Getty Images/age fotostock RM)

She added that due to climate change people are "a lot more aware of how they’re eating, what they’re eating, and how they buy and grow stuff.

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She continued: "I don’t know why - in a climate crisis, when trees are our best armoury - we’re cutting down thousands a year to keep hostage in our houses."

Executive chef of the Michelin-starred Ritz restaurant John Williams has gone on to say that the needles from a Christmas tree are "fragrant and spicy" and can be used to enhance the flavour of celeriac.

They are also used to make sweet treats such as syrup and shortbread cookies.

Pine needles are said to be good for coughs and helping to clear chest congestion.

Pine needle tea can also help with mental clarity, depression, obesity, allergies and high blood pressure, according to the forest ranger of the Forest of Dean.

Catherine Meyer-Funnell