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Rosemary

✨ The dew of the sea

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic evergreen shrub in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows naturally in sunny, dry places with well-drained soils. Its narrow, leathery leaves have a dark green upper surface and a paler, often silvery underside.

Small flowers, commonly blue, violet, pink, or white depending on the plant, appear along the stems. Rosemary is adapted to dry conditions: its leaves are relatively tough and contain aromatic oils that help reduce water loss and give the plant its distinctive fragrance. Today, it is cultivated in many warm regions and is also grown in home gardens or as an ornamental plant.

Fresh or dried rosemary leaves are widely used to season meat, fish, vegetables, breads, soups, sauces, and other dishes. Its strong aroma comes from volatile compounds such as 1,8-cineole, camphor, and borneol. The leaves also contain rosmarinic acid and other plant compounds with antioxidant activity in laboratory studies, but this does not show that rosemary or its extracts prevent or treat disease.

Rosemary is mainly valued as a culinary herb. Its essential oil is much more concentrated than the leaves and is used in some food, cosmetic, and fragrance products. In cooking, a small amount is often enough because its flavor can become quite pronounced when used generously.

💡 Did you know?

The name 'rosemary' comes from the Latin 'ros marinus', which means 'sea dew'. It was called that because it often grows wild on the rocks along the Mediterranean Sea, where it receives the foam of the waves and the salty air. It's a plant that has travel in its name!

In the Middle Ages, students at school often wore a crown of rosemary on their heads during their exams. It was believed that the scent of the plant helped one remember everything one had learned! Today, we know that the smell of rosemary really helps one stay focused.

Rosemary is a very robust plant that can live for more than 20 years! It sometimes becomes so large and thick that it looks like a giant small bush. In addition, it keeps its needles very green even during winter, which always brings a bit of cheer into the garden when all the other plants are sleeping.