Herbs and spices are nature’s precious gift to mankind. Herbs and spices have been used for centuries in cooking. These plants have also been highly valued for the natural remedies they provide. Many have faith in herbal health benefits and use them knowingly.
The word “herb” comes from the Latin word “herba” meaning grass or green plant. Some people will pronounce the h in herb; others prefer to keep the h silent.It may just enrich our lives if we take a second look at nature’s own wealth of herbal plants and discover how you can use the different herbs in your daily life.
Go through herbs and spices list and get to know the most common herbs and spices.
Discover the many strange convictions about the herbal powers in folklore and superstition.
View pictures of the herb plants.
Sadly today too many synthetic and chemical products are being produced. Some may be good and others may be harming us. Can we honestly say we understand how we are affected?
If you have any concerns or suspect a serious illness it is highly recommended you speak to your physician. Herbs will enhance our lives and may contribute to a healthier body and mind when used correctly.
Welcome to the exhilarating world of herbs!
Spices
So, what is the difference between herbs and spices?
Spices are traditionally dried parts of a plant that are used in cooking. Salt is not a spice because salt is a mineral. Officially spices are dried parts of a root, flowers, seeds, bark or fruit of a plant. Spices are often stronger in taste than herbs and should be used in smaller amounts at a time.
Herbs are also from plants. When the green leaves in a plant are used either fresh or dry the plant is traditionally referred to as an herb. Some plants may be used as both an herb and a spice, the leaves would be herbs and the seeds would be a spice.
Sometimes spices are put in the same category as herbs. In everyday speech the difference between herbs and spices seems somewhat vague. Often the plants used in cooking are simply referred to as herbs and spices, all put in one huge category. The two terms have a tendency to get mixed.
Spices have been a valuable and much sought after treasure throughout history in most parts of the world. The quest for spices has been nerve wrecking and expensive.
In our time and age we the demand for spices has exploded. We are more eager to include dishes from all parts of the world in our everyday cooking. As we travel more we become increasingly aware of the many new ways spices can be used to enhance our taste buds.
Spices certainly have made the art of cooking so much more fascinating. We all agree that using a little spice when cooking will take our dishes to extraordinary levels.
Spices obviously give great flavor to food and beverages when used correctly. Many spices also have amazing health benefits. Spices have been used has medicine since ancient times. Spices can be used in perfumes. Spices are also used in religious ceremonies as in incense and candles. Some spices also have their own stories in folklore, superstition and myth. Welcome to the wonderful world of spices!
Enjoy!
Scarborough Fair
There are not many great songs about herbs, but there is one very special song which is loved by millions around the world. Scarborough fair is a very old ballad of Great Britain. It may go as far back as 1670. Simon and Garfunkel made the song extremely popular when they released their lead song in the album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in 1966. Many other very talented artists have performed this ballad with success.
Hayley Westenra sings Scarborough Fair beautifully!
