image: https://thumbs-prod.si-cdn.com/PG_cuETeUl-8cITviz4Vj0VG1OY=/800×600/filters:no_upscale()/https://public-media.smithsonianmag.com/filer/df/41/df418b36-49ff-440a-8df8-1d3aa2001790/armenia-bilberry.jpg
<img src=”“https://thumbs-prod.si-cdn.com/PG_cuETeUl-8cITviz4Vj0VG1OY=/800×600/filters:no_upscale()/https://public-media.smithsonianmag.com/filer/df/41/df418b36-49ff-440a-8df8-1d3aa2001790/armenia-bilberry.jpg” alt=“Bilberry” itemprop=“image”> Wild Bilberry. (Borchee / iStock)
5:32PM
few years ago, Serda Ozbenian and two friends were hiking, searching for bezoar goats around southeast Armenia’s Smbataberd Fortress, when they noticed a patch of wild stinging nettle growing near the ruin’s entrance. While most visitors come to this centuries-old hilltop site for a dose of history and mountain views, the three self-proclaimed food enthusiasts were, at least for the moment, more taken with the edible plants. As they gathered bunches of nettles, applauding their luck and discussing recipes for yeghinchov abour (nettle soup) and jingalov hats—an Armenian stuffed-bread filled with wild nettle and dill — an idea was born: Why not create a user-friendly database to help other foragers find caches of edible herbs?