Herbs and Vegetables and they history

sister herb

Official TTI Chef
Herbs have been used for thousands of years. They have been added to dishes used as perfumes, remedies and even as currency.

Today herbs are most commonly used to add a zing to dishes but the traditional uses are still valid.


How do We Know so Much about Herbs?
From Ancient times to the modern day herbs have been written about by people from all over the world. In writing about what they have learnt they have been able to transfer their knowledge to us. We have learned about herbs from the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Indians, and the Sumerians from Mesopotamia (now called Iraq).

Throughout Europe in the Middle Ages monks used herbs as medicines. The Pilgrims took herbs to America and discovered Native American herbs, which they took back to Europe.


Where do the Herbs We Use Today Come From?
Over time herbs from all over the world have become readily available in the UK. The following are common herbs we use today that originate from outside of Europe:

Coriander, dill and fennel come from Mesopotamia (Iraq)
Sage, parsley, chives, lemon balm, mint, thyme, and calendula come from Ancient Greece and Roman Italy
Aloe, basil, caraway, cardamom and nutmeg come from India
Ginseng root, caraway, ginko, jasmine and liquorice come from Ancient China
Chickweed, dandelion, milk thistle, St John's Wort and yarrow, come from Europe
Evening primrose, American ginseng and witch hazel come from America
Traditional Uses of Herbs
Herbs haven’t always been used to cook with, and since the beginning of civilisation herbs have had many other uses, for example to aid health and cure disease. The herbs listed below have had many uses. These include:

Basil


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The Indians believed if a basil leaf was buried with them, it would help their passage to heaven. By contrast, Greeks traditionally disliked basil, and believed scorpions would breed under pots of it growing. The Roman name for basil, Basilescus, referred to the Basilisk, a fire breathing serpent, and eating basil was thought to protect the Romans from the Basilisk. In Italy, basil is regarded as a symbol of love.

Chives

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In Ancient times gypsies used chives in fortune telling. Having a bunch of chives in your house was thought to ward off disease. In Ancient Rome chives were used to relieve the pain from sunburn or a sore throat, increase blood pressure and encourage urination.

Coriander

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Coriander leaves have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs from up to 3000 years ago. Roman soldiers used coriander as a meat preservative and to flavour food. It was believed to have a variety of medicinal uses by the American colonists and was thought to relieve stomach pains.

Dill

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The Ancient Greeks regarded dill as a sign of wealth. During the Middle Ages, if someone believed they had been bewitched, they would drink a mixture containing dill leaves to offer protection from the curse. Burning the leaves was also thought to calm thunderstorms.

Marjoram and Oregano

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The Ancient Greeks believed that if you anointed yourself with marjoram, you would dream of your future spouse. They also believed that planting it on a grave would ensure eternal peace and happiness for the dead. During the Middle Ages its leaves were chewed to relieve indigestion, toothache, coughs and rheumatism. Oregano is wild marjoram and has a stronger flavour.

Parsley

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Parsley was used in Roman and Greek times as a flavouring and garnish to cooked dishes. It is used as a symbol of spring and rebirth in the Hebrew celebration of Passover. It was also used in Ancient times as a medicine to help relieve rheumatism, kidney pains and improve general health.

Rosemary

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In Ancient Greece, students regularly wore garlands of rosemary braided into their hair or around their necks in order to improve their memory when taking exams. Sir Thomas Moore believed it to be sacred to remembrance and friendship. According to legend, rosemary was used to awaken Sleeping Beauty.

Sage/Salvia

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Sage was believed to increase mental acuity in Roman times. It was used in the Middle Ages as a healing herb to treat memory loss, epilepsy and fevers, infection, intestinal problems and eye problems. Charlemagne had it grown in his royal gardens.

Thyme

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The Ancient Sumerians used Thyme as an antiseptic as far back as 3000BC. The early Egyptians used it as part of the mummification process. Greeks used it for massage as an ingredient in bath oils, as incense, and for medicinal purposes. The Ancient Romans would bathe in water scented with thyme before going into battle.

Each herb has a fantastic history and cultural background. Next time you use herbs in cooking, remember how important they were to our ancestors and the important role they have played in the evolution of civilisation.[/QUOTE]
 

sister herb

Official TTI Chef
Almonds

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Almonds are native to western Asia. They are mentioned in the Bible and the Egyptians grew them. The Romans grew almonds and they have been popular ever since.

Apple

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The apple has been grown for thousands of years. It was well known to the Ancient China and Egypt. Apples were also known to the Greeks and Romans and they were popular through all the centuries to the present day.

Apricot

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Apricots originally came from China. In ancient times they spread across Persia to the Mediterranean region and the Romans knew them. Later the Arabs grew apricots. Apricots were eaten in England from the 16th century.

Artichokes

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Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean. They were eaten by the Greeks and Romans and later by the Arabs. However after the fall of Rome artichokes were rare in Europe until the 15th century when they were grown in Italy. From there artichokes spread to the rest of Europe.

Asparagus

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Asparagus is native to the Eastern Mediterranean region. Asparagus was grown by the Greeks and Romans and it became a popular vegetable in Europe in the 16th century.

Aubergine

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Aubergines or eggplants are native to India. Later they spread to China and by the 15th century they were being grown in southern Europe.

Avocado

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Avocados first grew in Central America and the Spanish discovered them in the 16th century. In the 19th century avocados were introduced to the USA and Australia. However in Europe avocados were not normally eaten until the late 20th century.

Banana

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Bananas are native to Southeast Asia. However by 500 BC they were being grown in India. Alexander the Great ate them and his men took them back to the Western World. By 200 AD bananas were grown in China. Bananas were probably taken to Madagascar by the Arabs and spread from there to mainland Africa. In the 16th century the Portuguese took bananas to the New World. The first recorded sale of bananas in England was in 1633 however they were a rare and expensive fruit until the end of the 19th century. Bananas were first sold in the USA in the 1870s.

Beetroot

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Beetroot is descended from wild sea beet, which grew around Europe and Asia. However for centuries people ate the leaves of the plant rather than the roots. Eating beetroot only really became popular in the 18th century.

Blackberries

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Blackberries grew in Europe, Asia and North and South America. For thousands of years people ate blackberries and since ancient times they were used as a medicine.

Blackcurrant

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In the Middle Ages and for centuries afterwards blackcurrants were used as a medicine. During World War II the government encouraged people to grow them as they were a rich source of vitamin C. Most were made into cordial and blackcurrant drinks have remained popular in Britain since then.

Blueberry

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Blueberries are native to North America. They were eaten by Native Americans (sometimes with meat). They were also used as a medicine. Europeans learned how to grow blueberries and from the late 19th century they were canned.

Broccoli

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It is not known for certain when broccoli was first eaten. The Romans ate a vegetable that may have been broccoli. It was certainly eaten in France and Italy in the 16th century. However broccoli was rare in England until the 18th century. It first became popular in the USA in the 1920s.

Brussel sprout

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Brussels sprouts were grown in the area around Brussels in the 13th century. However they were only rarely eaten in England until the 18th century. Brussels sprouts were grown in the USA from the 19th century.

Butter Beans

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Butter beans are native to Central America. They were first recorded in Europe in 1591.
 

sister herb

Official TTI Chef
]Cabbages

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Cabbages are native to southern Europe. They were grown by the Greeks and the Romans and in Europe they have been a popular vegetable ever since. Cabbages were brought to North America in the 16th century.

Carrots

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Carrots are native to Asia. The ancient Egyptians grew them. However early carrots were not orange. They were black, yellow, purple or white! Later the Greeks and Romans grew carrots. The Arabs grew carrots and about the 12th century they were introduced into southern Europe. Orange carrots were grown by the 16th century and they first became popular in England during Queen Elizabeth I's reign.

Cauliflower

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Cauliflower is believed to come from Asia Minor. In Europe they were first eaten in Italy. However in the 16th century the cauliflower spread throughout Europe. Cauliflower was first grown in North America in the late 17th century.

Celery

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Celery is native to the Mediterranean. Wild celery was known to the Greeks and Romans. However cultivation of celery only began in Europe in the 17th century.

Cherries

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Cherries are native to Asia. They were eaten by the Chinese, the Greeks and the Romans. However in Northern Europe cherries only really became popular in the late Middle Ages. In the 17th century colonists took cherries to North America.

Cucumbers

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Cucumbers are native to south Asia. They were grown by the Greeks and Romans. Cucumbers were also grown in England in the Middle Ages. The Spaniards introduced cucumbers into the New World in 1494.

Fig

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Figs have been grown in the Middle East since prehistoric times. They were mentioned in Sumer (Iraq) as early as 2,500 BC. They were a staple food in Egypt and were later grown by the Greeks and Romans. Figs were probably introduced to China in the 8th century AD. Figs were taken by Spaniards to the Americas in the 16th century. Figs were also introduced to England in the 16th century.[/QUOTE]
 

sister herb

Official TTI Chef
Gooseberry

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Gooseberries are native to Europe and Western Asia. They were first mentioned in England in the 16th century when they were grown as a medicine. However in the 19th century they were a popular food. The name gooseberry may simply be goose berry because they were eaten with goose or it may be a corruption of the Dutch word kruisbes, which means cross berry.

Grapefruit


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It is not known exactly how grapefruit originated. It is believed to be a hybrid of two other fruits. At any rate grapefruit was first recorded in the West Indies in the mid-18th century.

Grapes

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Grapes are native to Asia and they were grown before 4,000 BC. Grapes were, obviously, used to make wine but they were also eaten as a fruit and they were popular with the Greeks and Romans and have been ever since.

Hazelnuts

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Hazelnuts are believed to be native to Asia. They were grown by the Chinese and also by the Greeks and the Romans. Hazelnuts were first grown in the USA in the 18th century.

Kidney Beans

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Kidney Beans are native to South America. They were common in England by the mid-16th Century.

Kiwi fruit

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Kiwifruits are native to Southeast Asia. Although grown in China for centuries they were not commercially grown in the West until the 20th century. In the last years of the 20th century kiwi fruit became very popular.

Lemons

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Lemons originally came from Southern Asia. They later reached the Middle East and they were known to the Romans although they were rare in the Roman Empire. Later the Arabs introduced lemons to Spain and Sicily. In the 15th century lemons became popular in northern Europe.

Limes

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Limes are native to Southern Asia. The Arabs took them to the Mediterranean area and later the Crusaders took them to Europe. Columbus took limes to the West Indies. From 1795 British sailors were given rations of lime juice to prevent scurvy.

Leeks

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Leeks are believed to be native to central Asia. They were grown by the Egyptians. The Greeks and Romans also grew leeks and the Romans are believed to have introduced them to Britain. The leek is the symbol of Wales. According to legend Welsh soldiers wore a leek in their caps to distinguish themselves from their Saxon enemies during a battle.

Lentils

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Lentils are a very ancient vegetable. They have been eaten since prehistoric times. Lentils are native to Asia and they were eaten the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. They were also eaten in India.

Lettuce

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Lettuce is an ancient vegetable. It is native to the Mediterranean area. The Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans ate lettuce. The Spaniards took lettuce to the New World.

Loganberry

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Loganberries are hybrids of blackberries and raspberries. They were first grown in 1880 or 1881 by John H. Logan.

Lychees

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Lychees are native to China, where they have been grown for centuries. However lychees were unknown in Europe until the 18th century. From the late 19th century lychees were grown in Hawaii, California and Florida and southern Africa.
 

sister herb

Official TTI Chef
]Mango

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Mangos are native to southern Asia. In the 10th century Persian merchants brought them to the Middle East and by the 18th century they were grown in South America and the West Indies.

Melons

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The early history of melons in unclear. However melons are probably native to western Asia. They were known in China and they were cultivated by the Arabs. In the Middle Ages they were imported into Europe. In the 16th century melons were taken to the New World by the Spanish.

Olives

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Olives are native to the Eastern Mediterranean and people have grown them since prehistoric times. Olives were very important to the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans.

Onions

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It is not known for certain where onions come from but it was probably Asia. Onions were one of the first vegetables grown by people. They were eaten by the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. During the Middle Ages onions were one of the staple foods of people in Europe.[/QUOTE]

Oranges
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Oranges are native to China and they were grown in that country as early as 2,500 BC. The Romans imported oranges but after the fall of Rome they were forgotten in Western Europe. When the Arabs conquered Spain in the 8th century they introduced oranges. Later they were introduced into Italy. In the 16th century Spaniards took oranges to the Americas. In the 17th century rich Englishmen began growing oranges.

Parsnip

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Parsnips are thought to be native to the Mediterranean region. The Romans grew them and they were a popular vegetable in the Middle Ages. However in England parsnips became less popular once potatoes became common in the 18th century.

Passion fruit

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Passion fruits were native to central South America. They were given their name by the Spaniards who were reminded of the passion of Christ. Passion fruits were introduced into England and Australia in the 19th century.

Pawpaw

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The pawpaw is native to North America. The Spanish discovered the pawpaw in 1541. However pawpaws did not become popular in Europe until the end of the 20th century.

Peaches

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Peaches came from China where they were grown by 800 BC. Later the Persians grew them and the Romans ate them. Peaches were brought to the Americas in the 16th century. They were eaten in England in the 17th century but they were rare and expensive until the 20th century.

Pears

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Pears are native to Europe and North Asia. Pears were grown by the Greeks and by the Romans. Pears were grown in England in the Middle Ages and many new varieties were grown in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. As well as being eaten pears were used to make perry.

Peas

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Peas are native to Asia and they were one of the earliest vegetables grown by human beings. The Greeks and Romans grew peas and during the Middle Ages peas were an important part of the diet of ordinary people in Europe.

Pineapple

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Pineapples originally grew in South America and Christopher Columbus discovered them in 1493. However during the 16th and 17th centuries pineapples were very expensive in Europe as they had to be imported. By the early 18th century pineapples were grown in hothouses in Northern Europe but they were still very costly. In the 19th century pineapples became cheaper. Pineapples were first canned in the late 19th century but canned pineapple first became common in the early 20th century.

Plums

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Plums are an ancient fruit. They grew wild in Europe, Asia and North America. Plums were grown by the Ancient Chinese and the Romans and later by the Arabs. The Crusaders brought damsons back from the Middle East to Europe. Today plums are one of the worlds most popular fruits.

Pomegranate

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Pomegranates were native to Iran and they have been grown for thousands of years. They were eaten by the Egyptians and also by the Ancient Chinese, the Greeks and the Romans. Pomegranates were known in Europe in the Middle Ages and they were mentioned by Shakespeare. Pomegranates were introduced into the New World in the 16th century. Pomegranate is believed to be a corruption of the old French words pome garnete, which meant seed apple.

Potatoes

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Potatoes are native to South America and they were grown by the native people for thousands of years before Europeans discovered them. The Spaniards took potatoes to Europe in the 16th century and they were first introduced to England in 1586. However at first potatoes were regarded as a strange vegetable and they were not commonly grown in Europe until the 18th century. In the 1840s potatoes in Ireland were afflicted by potato blight and the result was a terrible famine as the people had come to rely on potatoes for their staple food.

Pumpkin

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Pumpkins are native to central America. The Native Americans used them as a staple food. Pumpkins were adopted as a food by European colonists.

Radish

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Radishes are native to Asia. They were grown by the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans. Radishes were taken to the New World in the 16th century. The word radish comes from the Latin word radix, meaning root.

Raspberries

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Raspberries are native to Asia. The Romans grew them and they were also grown in England from the Middle Ages onwards. Raspberries were used as a medicine as well as a food.

Rhubarb

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Rhubarb is native to China and for thousands of years people believed it was a medicine. Rhubarb reached Europe in the 17th century and by the 18th century it was used as a food as well as medicine. In the 19th century rhubarb became a popular food in North America.

Runner beans

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Runner beans are native to central America and were grown there long before they were discovered by Europeans in the 16th century. Runner beans were first grown in England in the 17th century.

Spinach


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Spinach is native to Asia. However it was unknown to the Greeks and Romans. It was first grown in Persia. Later it was grown by both the Arabs and the Chinese. The Arabs introduced spinach to southern Europe and by the 14th century it was eaten in England.

Strawberries

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Strawberries grew wild in Europe and eastern North America. They were grown by the Romans and were a popular fruit in Europe during the Middle Ages. In the 19th century strawberries became widely cultivated in the USA. Nobody knows why they are called strawberries. They may once have been called strewn berries because the berries are strewn on the plant. Or the name may come from the old word strew, which meant to spread because runners spread from the plant.

Tangerine

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Tangerines are native to Southeast Asia. They were introduced into Europe in the early 19th century and they were named Tangerines because they came from the port of Tangier in North Africa. Tangerines were introduced into the USA in the mid-19th century.

Tomatoes

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Tomatoes are native to South America. The Spaniards came across them in the 16th century. However tomatoes were unknown in England until the end of the 16th century.

Turnips

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Turnips are native to northern Europe. They were grown by the Romans and during the Middle Ages turnips were a staple food of poor people in Europe. In the 18th century Charles 'Turnip' Townshend pioneered growing turnips to feed cattle.

Walnuts

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Walnuts first grew in Persia. They were grown by the Greeks and later by the Romans and walnuts spread through Europe. Walnuts were well known in England in the 16th century.
 
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