Origin of rosemary »A long story told briefly

Mediterranean rosemary

Rosemary, also known as "frankincense herb" due to its intense scent, originally comes from the dry maquis of southern Europe. The shrub, which is up to two meters high, grows mainly on the Iberian Peninsula, but is also found growing wild in Greece, Italy and Croatia. In Germany, the plant usually does not grow as abundantly as it does in its home countries - where it does is also used for planting hedges - but only between 80 and 100 Inches high. Just like in its Mediterranean countries of origin, rosemary needs one here too sunny and warm location, whereby it is only very hardy to a limited extent. Therefore, one is particularly recommended in the cooler regions of Germany Cultivation in the pot.

Rosemary has been known since ancient times

It is not clear where the name "rosemary" comes from. Some experts assume that the name derives from the Latin words "ros" for "dew" and "marinus" (for: "belonging to the sea"); Rosemary means something like "dew of the sea" in German. Other linguists, on the other hand, attribute the plant name to the Greek "rhops myrinos", which in turn means "fragrant shrub". It is certain, however, that the herb has been used in the kitchen and as a medicinal herb for thousands of years. The German name "Brautkraut" is a holdover from Greek antiquity, when rosemary was still consecrated to the goddess of love Aphrodite. In Germany, the plant finally found its way into the monastery gardens in the late Middle Ages, after it was brought over the Alps by wandering Benedictine monks from Italy. Paracelsus, a well-known doctor of the early modern period, recommended the medicinal use of rosemary, especially for gout and rheumatism.

Tips & Tricks

A recipe for a particularly delicious spread: jam made from plums, mirabelle plums or white grapes tastes very intense, seasoned with a little (!) Ground rosemary. This mixture not only tastes good on bread, but also with game meat.

IJA