Berake Soppu

Berake Soppu: Discovering Wild Edible Greens in Our Neighbourhood is an experiential walking workshop exploring the traditional practice of identifying and gathering edible wild plants.

In Kannada, berake soppu refers to a mix of wild greens traditionally collected from fields, open spaces and village commons and used in everyday cooking. As store-bought vegetables and ready-made foods become more accessible, traditional knowledge of foraging and preparing wild greens is gradually disappearing.

The session begins with an introduction to foraging before participants take a guided walk around the neighbourhood to identify lesser-known edible greens beyond familiar varieties such as palak and methi. Participants learn about the plants' nutritional and traditional uses, along with the precautions involved in identifying wild edibles. The walk concludes with tea and a discussion of the plants' broader cultural, social and ecological significance.

Facilitators: Subhashini and Archana are urban foragers and founders of Foraging Trails and Tales. Through guided wild-food walks and farm-to-table workshops, they work to reconnect urban communities with edible plants and traditional food knowledge.

The workshop is conducted in English and Kannada and is suitable for participants aged 10 and above. It encourages greater awareness of local biodiversity and the everyday plants that often go unnoticed in urban surroundings.