No! Boiled or pickled nettles lose their sting completely! The stinging hairs (trichomes) on nettles are made of silica and contain irritants like formic acid, histamine, and acetylcholine. But they’re fragile — and any combination of heat, acid, or crushing destroys them.

🧪 Why Pickling Neutralises the Sting:

• The acidity of the vinegar denatures the irritants
• The liquid softens or breaks the hairs
• If you blanch or steam the nettles before pickling (which is common), the sting is already gone

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✅ Safe Ways to Deactivate the Sting Before Pickling:

1. Blanching (recommended):
   30–60 seconds in boiling water, then into ice water.
   Retains colour and texture.
2. Steaming or sautéing also works