Tuesday, 22nd April,  was Earth Day, and we took the day to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the planet we all live on.

In London and Margate, we took part in foraging workshops that reconnected us with ancient wisdom too often forgotten in today's world. These experiences unfolded in two very different settings—urban wilderness and coastal shoreline—each with its own rhythm and lessons.

By learning to identify edible treasures from both city and sea, we not only celebrated Earth Day but also honoured the knowledge that has nurtured deep connections with local ecosystems. These workshops were more than educational—they were truly inspirational, opening up new possibilities for what we will create.

London: Urban Wilderness

On Earth Day, we stepped into Hackney Marshes with expert forager George Fredenham to reconnect with the wild knowledge that lives between London's urban spaces. 

Our guide showed us how to identify both edible treasures and dangerous lookalikes—a crucial skill that reminds us that careful observation can be the difference between sustenance and danger.

The marshes revealed extraordinary flavors: Jack-by-the-hedge with its surprising mustardy kick, and Noble Fir cones transformed into honey-like cheong. We learned that Common Hogweed was the original ingredient in borscht before beetroot, that humble Nettles are packed with remarkable nutrition, and that delicate Yarrow once foretold fortunes in ancient China. We touched Artist's Bracket fungi, learned about Mugwort's dream-enhancing qualities, and discovered Plantain's incredible ability to soothe insect stings.

"An afternoon foraging with an expert is not only a helpful way to learn about which plants are edible and which are poisonous, but also serves as a connection to the knowledge of those who came before us, much of which has been lost since the advent of agriculture and industrialisation. Each unusual taste was a reminder of this, as plants that used to be everyday staples and remedies for our ancestors are alien to our modern palates."

"It was so nice to spend Earth day outside in the sun, learning so much about what nature shares with us, and it reminded me of similar fond childhood experiences. The foraged snacks, syrup and drinks that we tried were all 10/10, and I was impressed to learn just how much there is available to forage even in London!"

“A wonderful day out in nature, connecting with our surroundings, fresh open air, walking through the abundance of trees and wildlife and learning about the fascinating world of foraging. Our host George was super knowledgeable and guided us through different plants, fungi, the origins, functions, what was edible and what was deadly! We ate some delicious goodies made from foraged wild garlic kimchi to a mushroom kebab and a noble fir cone syrup! A fantastic day, shared with colleagues and reminding me of the wonderful and glorious moments that you can have on planet Earth when you step outside and look for it!”

Margate: Coastal Treasures

We uncovered hidden coastal flavors: the unexpected peppery bite of wild rocket, the resilient shoreline spinach, and the adaptable mallow flourishing in harsh conditions. We also ventured into the rock pools, where we discovered underwater gardens teeming with crisp sea lettuce and nutrient-packed Irish moss, known for its gut-boosting prebiotics.

Our journey also included learning the principles of sustainable harvesting, taking only what we needed and trimming seaweeds with a "haircut" to ensure they could regenerate—a reminder that foraging thoughtfully fosters a deeper relationship with nature.

"For Earth Day, I joined a foraging trip along Margate beach, spending time exploring the coastline and discovering wild edible plants like rocket, wild spinach, mallow, and three-cornered leek. I also learned about various types of edible seaweed, deepening my appreciation for the local ecosystem. Earlier in the day, we took part in a seaweed pressing workshop, capturing the delicate beauty of marine plants. It was a wonderful day to take a breath and enjoy spending time with everyone."

"Hannah Scott, aka Dr Forager, took us on a foraging adventure coastal walk, where we learned all about edible seaweeds and coastal plants. There’s an abundance of edible plants such as mallow, spinach, rocket, and three-cornered leek. We then went for a closer look in the rock pools and discovered different varieties of edible seaweed like sea lettuce and Irish moss, which contains prebiotics—non-digestible fibers that feed healthy gut bacteria. We made sure to 'haircut' the seaweed, ensuring we didn’t disturb its natural regrowth. A truly amazing experience with the team!"

These discoveries—their distinctive aromas and surprising flavors—continue to inspire our business journey. The marshes and shorelines reminded us why we do what we do: to capture and learn from nature in everything we create.