Are you ready for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure? Foraging is a wonderful way to venture off the beaten path while enjoying the natural areas around Asheville and uncovering the delicious secrets of its natural bounty. The woods and meadows around Asheville are home to over 500 edible delights.
The Asheville area is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant biodiversity. Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this vibrant city provides a diverse range of ecosystems, contributing to a rich variety of plant and fungal life. From the lower elevations of the French Broad River Valley to the higher peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, foragers can encounter a plethora of edible treasures throughout the year. These ecosystems include forests, meadows, wetlands, and riverbanks, each hosting a unique assortment of wild foods.
Foraged edibles add a delightful twist and a gourmet touch to salads, appetizers, and even entrées served at bespoke private Applewood dinners, curated by acclaimed guest chefs from Michelin-star restaurants in culinary centers such as France, Spain, and New York City. Foraged foods frequently grace the menus of top-tier restaurants, both locally and internationally.
Asheville is home to Alan Muskat, a Princeton graduate who has become a leading authority in the field and has been leading thousands into the hills and valleys for over twenty-five years to discover nature’s abundance. He sells hundreds of pounds of wild foods yearly to over seventy-five restaurants and hotels. Muskat is also the founder of No Taste Like Home, reputed to be the largest foraging education company in the world.
The staff at Applewood Manor is always ready to craft bespoke experiences for their guests and will be glad to arrange a private foraging outing for you and your companions. Just let us know about your interest when booking your stay. Additionally, regularly scheduled foraging tours are available in the natural areas around Asheville. These daily three-hour tours are conducted by Muskat’s No Taste Like Home organization and provide a taste of the wildlife. As part of a small group of foragers, you will experience the life of a modern hunter-gatherer firsthand. It’s a unique self-catering experience and a memorable lesson in high-class survival. You can find out more about the tours and book online by visiting https://notastelikehome.org/foraging-tour/.
Under the stewardship of Stephen and Robin Collins, Applewood Manor transcends the traditional bed and breakfast experience. For those seeking more than just a stay, they offer a curated selection of unique experiences, such as cycling tours, leadership workshops, culinary events, and, of course, foraging. Applewood periodically invites Michelin-star chefs to take over the inn’s kitchen, where they create extraordinary food and wine pairing events for participating guests. Sometimes, these events include a pre-dinner foraging excursion, allowing guests to personally gather ingredients that will later grace their plates.
At Applewood Manor, you’re not just visiting; you’re discovering.