FoodReference.com (since 1999)

FOOD TRIVIA QUIZ SECTION

 

Home   |   Articles   |   Food_Trivia   |   Today_In_Food_History   |   Food_Timeline   |   Recipes   |  Cooking_Tips   |   Videos   |   Food_Quotes   |   Who's_Who   |   Culinary_Schools_&_Tours   |   FOOD_TRIVIA_QUIZZES   |   Food_Poems   |   Free_Magazines   |   Food_Festivals_&_Events

You are here > Home >  

 FOOD TRIVIA QUIZZES  >  Quiz 304 

There is a link to the answers at the bottom of each quiz

 

FREE Magazines and
other Publications

n extensive selection of free food, beverage & agricultural magazines, e-books, etc.

philodendron250

 

FOOD TRIVIA QUIZ #304

WHAT AM I -
All of the following information describes one plant:

This plant, native to Mediterranean Europe, is an ancient symbol of wisdom and immortality.

A perennial shrub about 2 feet high, it is a member of the mint family and has over 500 varieties. Its flowers are fragrant, usually purple or blue, sometimes white, red or pink. They are rich in nectar, and it's honey is in great demand in Europe because of its spicy flavor. Some varieties, have broad leaves; others have foliage variegated with red, yellow, or white.

Valued by the Chinese in the seventeenth century, they would trade three chests of China tea for just one chest filled with its leaves from Dutch merchants.

For most of its long history it has been a healing herb (supposedly curing everything from snake bites, eye problems, infection, epilepsy, intoxication, memory loss, worms and intestinal problems) or prescribed as an aphrodisiac.

As far back as ancient Greek and Roman times, healers advocated it for a variety of ailments. Charlemagne ordered that it be grown in his royal gardens. Arab physicians in the 10th century went so far as to claim that it extended life to the point of immortality.

It was an old custom to rub leaves on the teeth to clean them and benefit the gums. American Indians used it for medicinal purposes. The oil is valued in perfumery and toilet preparations, especially those for men. Placed among linen, it discourages insects. Also helps repel cabbage butterflies and improves the flavor of cabbage.

The dried leaves are employed by food manufacturers in seasoning meats, baked goods, and beverages. They are also used to flavor vermouth and various bitters. For years it has been used in the preserving of foods. Now it is known that it contains powerful anti-oxidants which slow spoilage. It is also antibacterial in nature, it is effective in treating sore throats and is even effective as an antiperspirant.

Can You Name This Plant?

 

 

  Home   |   About Us & Contact Us   |   Bibliography   |   Food History Articles   |   Food Trivia   |   Food Links  

Please feel free to link to any pages of FoodReference.com from your website.
For permission to use any of this content please E-mail: james@foodreference.com
All contents are copyright © 1990 - 2024  James T. Ehler and www.FoodReference.com unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved.
You may copy and use portions of this website for non-commercial, personal use only.
Any other use of these materials without prior written authorization is not very nice and violates the copyright.
Please take the time to request permission.


 

Food Reference Logo

 

Popular Pages