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What Is Rosemary?

Herbs and spices not only enrich food and drinks with their aroma, they can also be used in care oils or as bath additives. One such versatile plant is rosemary.

Interesting facts about rosemary

The rosemary plant is native to the Mediterranean region, where the main production countries are also located. With us, the evergreen plant can be grown in pots and tubs in summer or on the windowsill in winter. The needle-like leaves are used fresh or dried as a spice in the kitchen. According to folk medicine, rosemary tea should also have a positive effect on health and, among other things, have a stimulating effect and alleviate digestive problems. The essential oils of the plant make rosemary oil a beauty product that is used as a bath additive, in skin care products and for hair treatments. With our rosemary oil recipe, you can easily prepare the spice oil for external and internal use yourself.

Purchasing and storage

Rosemary can be found in dried form on the spice shelves in supermarkets all year round. Individual twigs or whole plants in pots can be bought fresh in the vegetable department. The main season for the Mediterranean herb is from April to September. Like all spices, dry goods should be stored in airtight packaging and protected from light. Since the intensive aroma evaporates relatively quickly, it is advisable to buy smaller quantities and use them up quickly. Wrapped in a damp cloth, fresh sprigs will keep in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also preserve the leaves by turning them into a rosemary-lemon salt or by hanging the sprigs and letting them air dry – the delicious scent of rosemary will fill the whole kitchen. You should water potted plants moderately and cut them back regularly, then the plants will last for a very long time.

Kitchen tips for rosemary

Due to the strong, tart aroma, rosemary is equally suitable for seasoning meat, fish and vegetables. The needle-like leaves are often removed from the dishes after cooking because they retain their firm consistency. If you don’t mind that, you can of course also enjoy rosemary potatoes, pot roast or stir-fried vegetables with the spice. Whole branches can be cooked, but should be removed from the food afterwards.

Tip: If you grow the herb yourself, you can garnish dishes such as salads with the edible rosemary blossoms.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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