For Romans it was a vitality symbol and it has been one of the main ingredients in a lot of magic potions. The tips of its leaves are consumed. It is very tasty with soft cheeses, omelettes, sheafood, sauces, soups, herrings, salads, cucumber, beef...
It is a tradicional French blend of four sweet herbs: parsley, chive, tarragon and chervil. They give a delicate and fresh aroma to salads, egg dishes, chicken and poached fish. The heat diminishes it´s flavour, therefore it´s convenient to add them to hot dishes at the end of cooking.
This is a Mediterranean plant. The Greeks and Romans used the laurel leaves to make crowns for their heros in war or sport. It goes well with a lot of meat and potatoes dishes, as well as with vegetable, fish and pasta.
There are a lot of mint varieties (around 600) and they are used is salty dishes as well as in sweet ones. The most common varieties in cooking are “piperita peppermint” and mint. “Piperita peppermint” is used in plants infusions, salads, lemon desserts and cakes.
It has a lot in common with marjoram, although its flavour is stronger. It´s flavour is the quintessence of pizza, and, as is the case with marjoram, it is used in vinager dressings, pastas, aubergines, seafood and salads.
This is one of the oldest known spices and its weight was paid in gold. To obtain black pepper, the grains are collected when they are still green and they are dried out. While they are drying the grains turn black. White pepper comes from grains which are already ripened and of a red color. Thay are soaked in water during 3 or 4 days and the outer layer...
This is one the most important culinary plants in the European cuisine. It has a nice taste and combines very well with other aromatic spices. It helps to digest fatty food, so its use with lamb, pork or duck is especially appropriate. It heightens the flavour of tomato sauces, soups, vegetables, cooked dishes and breads.