Horseradish

[cobnuts]

I've dug up some horseradish roots- looks like horseradish, smells like hoseradish but before I tuck in, is there anything else it could be?
Being over cautious

[Green Aura]

If it smells like horseradish and makes you cry like a baby - I say go for it. If it's not pungent enough to make you stream with tears when you strip a bit of skin off then investigate further

[theabsinthefairy]

We had a great debate with our neighbours (French farmers) over horseradish - they consider it a root and poisonous - but then they also consider curry leaves, and chillies as work of the devil - and most of them can't recognise what I consider the bare essentials of my herb garden.

But yes - taste - it comes from a big family none of which are deadly but only horseradish actually tastes like horseradish - the rest will be tasteless - but if you were to eat huge amounts they might give you a poorly tummy.

[Millymollymandy]

That's strange as Raifort (horse radish) is for sale in every supermarket!

[Odsox]

Yes .. what Green Aura said .... peel a bit and if it makes you cry, it's horseradish.
100 times worse than the most pungent onion.

[theabsinthefairy]

It's not for sale here - occasionally spotted in a bio shop or an asian supermarket in Clermont.

[Millymollymandy]

Do you mean the root? Cos Raifort in a jar (like horseradish sauce) is a very common french condiment which I have seen everywhere.

[Ellendra]

First, Google "Horseradish" and "poisonous lookalikes" together. Make sure of your plant.

Then, taste a teeny bit, but don't swallow. Like the others said, it should taste like a horseradish. If it doesn't, spit it out, rinse your mouth with water several times, spitting out the water every time. Then drink at least 2 big glasses of water right away.

Most plants aren't poisonous enough to kill with such a small amount, but there are exceptions!!!

[Odsox]

First, Google "Horseradish" and "poisonous lookalikes" together. Make sure of your plant.

Then, taste a teeny bit, but don't swallow. Like the others said, it should taste like a horseradish. If it doesn't, spit it out, rinse your mouth with water several times, spitting out the water every time. Then drink at least 2 big glasses of water right away.

Most plants aren't poisonous enough to kill with such a small amount, but there are exceptions!!!

Good Advice for all unknown plants.
But, I'm pretty sure there are no poisonous Horseradish lookalikes in northern Europe, certainly not in the British Isles.
The only other plant it could be mistaken for is the Common Dock, and I don't think that's poisonous.

Anyway as I said before, you don't even have to taste it, just peeling it is enough.

[cobnuts]

Thanks, all. I was pretty sure of what I'd got, just not certain that there wasn't anything similar but dangerous around these parts! Have planted several roots in the garden so will see if they produce the goods for next year.