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Nov 07, 2023

Why New Yorkers Put Toxic Wild Ginger on their Pancakes

Before Log Cabin, there was a different syrup to put on your pancakes. It was

Before Log Cabin, there was a different syrup to put on your pancakes. It was sweet, abundant, and free. Unfortunately, it's toxic, too.

There are too many fascinating plants in New York to count, from the carnivorous plants in upstate wetlands to the "dead man's fingers" that you can find poking through the local forest floor. Only one, however, was used as a breakfast condiment.

Meet asarum canadense, also known as wild ginger. The plant, which only carries a light scent of ginger, can be found all across the eastern United States, including right here in New York. Historically, the plant has been used as a medicine, but one "silver lining" of the plant stands out among the rest.

Apparently, eating pancakes in America dates back to pre-independence, and it was documented that settlers who were unable to get their hands on maple syrup would use wild ginger instead. Unfortunately, it came with a risk. From the National Parks Service (NPS):

This plant was once used by early Euro-American settlers in sugar water to make syrup for pancakes, but it was later found to be toxic to mammals, including humans, so it is not advised to be ingested.

Whoops. While early Americans may have had worse things put in their bodies ("here, drink this mercury and call me in the morning!"), toxic pancake syrup is never advised. Check out more poisonous (and safe) plants, including the way to identify poison hemlock below.