Buzz
Renowned chef and nature enthusiast René Redzepi has introduced an app named VILD MAD, designed to help users locate “delicious edibles” using their smartphones. As someone who loves exploring nature (and spending time on their phone), VILD MAD appeared to be an app that could enhance my daily life. I decided to download it and ventured into the wilderness of Southeast Portland to test it out.
Like most apps, there were aspects I appreciated and others I didn’t. Let’s begin with the positives.
The Positives
VILD MAD is visually appealing and user-friendly: The app features a calming teal as its primary color, which feels refreshing and aligns perfectly with my home decor. Forageable items are organized both alphabetically and by season, allowing users to easily search for specific plants or explore what’s currently available.
VILD MAD is highly educational: Each ingredient includes at least three images (showing close-ups of the plant and its typical habitat), along with details on where and when to find it, harvesting tips, cooking suggestions, flavor profiles, potential substitutes, and a helpful “risk of mistake” section that highlights any toxic look-alikes.
VILD MAD is enjoyable to pronounce: Especially when said in all caps.
The (Somewhat) Disappointing
This isn’t an app you can download and use immediately. While it provides extensive information to help you recognize and collect edible plants in your area, you need to study it thoroughly before heading out. Unlike apps such as Pl@ntNet, which acts like a “Shazam for plants” by identifying species from photos, VILD MAD requires you to know the plant’s name beforehand to access its images. A similar feature would have been incredibly useful for identifying wild edibles on the spot.
Another limitation is that VILD MAD is tailored specifically to Denmark, meaning many edible plants in your region might not be included. During my exploration, I discovered several plants listed in the app, but even more that weren’t.
My Discoveries
While exploring my neighborhood—which, to be transparent, includes a community garden filled with various edible plants—I managed to locate four foraged treasures listed in VILD MAD: raspberries, blackberries (not fully ripe yet), dandelions, and clover. I photographed them and uploaded the images to the app, earning a “BEGINNER” badge and a congratulatory message for my outdoor efforts.
During my exploration, I also came across lemon balm, a type of attractive grape, unripe plums, and rosemary—none of which were featured in VILD MAD. However, I don’t fault Redzepi for this, as the app is clearly designed for use in Denmark, which is understandable given his Danish roots.
That said, the app’s plant information appears to be reliable. When I stumbled upon some vibrant purple clover (pictured at the top), I was thrilled and quickly sampled a few petals. A few minutes later, I noticed a strange sensation on my tongue and worried the clover might have been treated with pesticides. After checking VILD MAD, I was reassured to find that my experience matched the app’s description of clover’s effects.
In conclusion, while VILD MAD offers a wealth of useful details about foraging various edible plants, its practicality depends on how closely your location resembles Denmark. (On the bright side, it includes some excellent recipes, and who wouldn’t want to try dishes approved by Redzepi?)
