Rosemary is a typical spice for many Mediterranean dishes, and the herb has always been used in medicine.
What is rosemary and what is it used for?
Rosemary is an evergreen subshrub that thrives in Mediterranean coastal regions and is used in the kitchen as a spice and in natural medicine. The plant goes well with meat and vegetable dishes and has essential oils that have a digestive effect.
Origin and occurrence
The plant comes from the dry maquis of the Mediterranean region and thrives primarily on the Iberian Peninsula as well as in Greece and Croatia. Today rosemary grows almost everywhere in Europe and America, but especially in the wine-growing regions. In colder regions of the continental climate, however, the subshrub is only partially hardy, although some special varieties have now been selected specifically for these regions.
Botanical characteristics and appearance
Rosemary is a perennial, evergreen subshrub from the mint family. The plant is therefore closely related to other Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and lavender and requires similar growing conditions and care. The shrub can grow up to two meters high and becomes woody as it ages. The dark green leaves are very similar in shape to pine needles and give off a characteristic smell when rubbed between your fingers. Between March and May the numerous purple, blue, pink or even white flowers appear, which are often used as pasture by bees, butterflies and bumblebees. The flowers are arranged in panicles.
Usage
The needle-like leaves are harvested during and after flowering and are used both dried and fresh, mainly in Mediterranean cuisine. Due to its intense, bitter aroma, rosemary should only be used sparingly. Dried rosemary needles, which are added at the beginning and cooked with, have a particularly great taste. Rosemary goes particularly well with
- all kinds of meat (especially chicken, pork and sheep)
- Mediterranean vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini etc.)
- Potatoes (rosemary potatoes)
- Game and fish dishes
- spicy sauces and soups (e.g. tomato soup)
- Cheese.
Furthermore, rosemary oil, which is rich in essential oils, is used in natural medicine, but usually only externally. Rosemary oil can be added to a steam bath to calm the nervous system or stimulate circulation. Rosemary also stimulates the digestive system, which is why the herb makes heavy and fatty foods more digestible.
Tips & Tricks
Due to its menstrual-promoting effect, pregnant women should avoid intensive use of rosemary as a spice or medicinal herb.
