Manuel Larbig

Manuel Larbig is a biologist, wild-herb specialist, and the founder of Waldsamkeit, a Berlin-based project that reconnects people with nature through foraging tours and hands-on cooking workshops. Having led hundreds of sessions across Germany, he is recognized as a trusted voice in edible wild plants. He is the author of Mein Wildkräuter-Guide (My Wild Herb Guide), published by Penguin Random House, where he distills beginner-friendly botany with kitchen-ready ideas. Manuel’s path was shaped by field practice as much as lab study, deepening his respect for edible plants and practical outdoor skills. In class, he helps students tell plants apart, evaluate safe gathering sites (steering clear of traffic pollution and risky pastures), harvest responsibly, and translate wild flavors into balanced dishes at home. In the kitchen, Manuel champions approachable techniques—infusions and oils, pickles, gentle dehydration, simple emulsions, aquafaba foams and sorbets—that preserve color, aroma, and texture. Whether it’s a bright sorrel sauce, nettle risotto with “pink caviar,” or a dandelion-driven béarnaise, his recipes keep the focus on flavor, seasonality, and ecological respect.