Herbs are incredible especially because they can turn a simple recipe into a culinary masterpiece. They add flavour, enhance taste, add a beautiful aroma, and have many nutritional benefits.
In this blog we discuss everything parsley, some fun and interesting history, nutritional information and an easy recipe to add more parsley into your life.
History and interesting facts:
The botanical name for parsley comes from the Greek word for stone as it was found growing on rocky hillsides in Greece.
Did you know that parsley was often associated with death? It has been used as funeral herb, used for grave arrangements. It is believed that the Romans placed parsley on corpses in order to help mask the smell of decomposition. The saying ‘in need of parsley’ means to be close to death. According to Greek mythology there was a young prince who was bitten by serpent and died. Parsley grew out of the blood pouring from the wound. The child was called Archemorus meaning the “forerunner of death”.
In contrast, it was also used in garlands by the Greeks to celebrate games winners. Pliny an Ancient Roman author, claimed that everyone enjoyed parsley and all dishes should be served with it.
Parsley takes longer to grow than other herbs (especially the germination phase) therefore it used to be believed that only witches could grow it.
Parsley is one of the world most used and loved herbs. It is native to the central Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for more than 2000 years.
Sources:
http://theepicentre.com/spice/parsley/
http://topfoodfacts.com/16-interesting-facts-about-parsley/
https://nourishingdeath.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/parsley-the-herb-of
Opheltes ensnared by the snake and strangled, Source: Palast Spada – Baumeister: Denkmäler des klassischen Altertums. 1888. Band I, Seite 113. Digitizing sponsor: University of Toronto, converted by User:Perhelion. Found online: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Archemoros_119.png