Sassafras
SASSAFRAS (Sassafras albidum)
Culinary uses and the safety debate
Culinary uses and the safety debate
An interesting tree.
You'll find 3 different shaped leaves on the same tree - an oval leaf, a mitten, and a three-lobed leaf.
A child on one of my foraging walks once told me that were really 4 different shapes - there's a left mitten and a right mitten. And he was right!
Leaf edges of sassafras are smooth with no teeth.
Crush a leaf and you'll learn the distinctive scent of sassafras. The whole tree is quite fragrant.
Someone told me the leaves smell like Fruit Loops. I don't know about that comparison, but it is a nice smell!
Culinary uses and the safety debate
Culinary uses and the safety debate
Culinary uses and the safety debate
Debate exists over the safety of eating / drinking sassafras.
Sassafras is a traditional ingredient in real root beer. The roots, leaves and twigs of the sassafras tree have been used for a very long time. But the plant contains a chemical called safrole. In 1960, the FDA banned safrole for use in food after studies showed that rats fed large amounts of the stuff developed cancer. Debate exists over the actual risk to humans. There is also debate over exactly why safrole or sassafras was banned. Some say it has to do with the fact that safrole can be used to make the street drug MDMA (Ecstasy).
The amount of safrole in the leaves is very low. Ever hear of filé (fee-lay) gumbo? Filé powder is made from dried sassafras leaves, and it is a key ingredient in filé gumbo and Creole cooking. You can buy filé powder, and some people make their own from the dried leaves.
Sassafras root and bark, however, contain concentrated amounts of safrole. You may want to avoid these, or read up on the topic to make your own informed decisions. Some practitioners advise against the use of sassafras in pregnancy. If you have medical diagnoses or health concerns it is best to consult your healthcare practitioner before adding any new plant to your diet.
Sassafras is an interesting plant with a lot of culinary history.
Young sassafras leaves
Culinary uses and the safety debate
Young sassafras leaves
Filé powder is made from fresh green sassafras leaves.
To make Filé Powder:
Wash the leaves and dry completely by laying them in a single layer in a well-ventilated, protected area. A food dehydrator can also be used. Grind the dried leaves into a powder using a coffee or spice grinder.
You now have your own filé powder to add flavor and thickening to a soup or stew.
When using, add it at the end of cooking after the heat is turned off. If you boil filé powder you will get a stringy mess.