Ancient Greeks
The Ancient Greeks believed rosemary to be a memory aid. Students would often wear a branch in their hair.
Bread and Focaccia
Excellent when added to the dough of herbed bread; should be tried over focaccia, along with oil and coarse salt.
Chestnut
Rosemary also pairs well with sweets, especially those made with chestnuts.
Dried
Unlike many other herbs, like basil, rosemary retains its fragrance even when dried and stored in glass.
Etymology
Rosemary gets its name from Rosmarinus officinalis, from the latin words ros (dew) and maris (from the sea).
Five Feet
Some rosemary plants can grow into shrubs reaching even five feet in height (or 1.5 meters).
Grilled Meat
The best partner for rosemary is grilled meat: a branch can be used to brush the meat with saltd and peppered oil.
Honey
Rosemary can also be used to obtain a delicate, whitish honey.
Infusion
In medicine, a rosemary infusion can be used to heal wounds. When drunk, it helps with stomach aches and it’s a tonic when added to bath water.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus
Christian legend tells the story of how during Mary’s trip from Bethlehem to Egypt with Joseph and Baby Jesus, she put her blue mantle on a rosemary bush, which where the herb’s blossoms got their color.
Killer (of Germ)
Over previous centuries, rosemary was used to kill germs and disinfect: rosemary would be burned in the rooms of sick people.
Luck and Love
In many Mediterranean cultures, rosemary is thought to bring luck to newlyweds, and baskets of the herb are offered to couples at their weddings.
Mediterranean
Rosemary is found in abundance throughout Mediterranean Europe, especially around the sea and hillsides, in windy regions with sandy terrain. It’s also diffused in Asia and Africa.
Needle
Rosemary leaves resemble small, dense needles attached to branches with a strong, unmistakable aroma.
Onions
To prepare marmalade of caramelized onions to keep in glass jars for the whole winter, don’t forget to aromatize it with rosemary and thyme.
Perfume
An essential oil made from rosemary leaves can be used in colognes, like Acqua d'Ungheria, which also contains orange, chamomile and bergamot.
Quinoa Salad
Garnished with lemon, walnuts, almonds, a quinoa salad with vegetables should always be flavored with a few shredded rosemary leaves.
Rosemary’s Baby
The title of Roman Polanski’s classic thriller, starring a young Mia Farrow as Rosemary.
Spices
Along with combining perfectly with meats, fish, and vegetables, rosemary also blends well with other spices – like curry, paprika and cumin.
Tudor
In Tudor England, rosemary symbolized a woman’s fidelity. But it was said that a man unable to smell its aroma, wasn’t worthy of love.
Under Pillows
According to ancient magic rituals, rosemary is used to attract one’s beloved. It should be put into little pouches and places under one’s pillow before bed.
Violet
Rosemary flowers vary in color from purple to blue and light blue. They are picked from May to August, and like the leaves, are used in infusions.
Wine
Even before its virtues in cooking were discovered, the Romans used rosemary to aromatize wine.
Xxx
Between the sheets, rosemary is an effective way to combat sexual dysfunction. To drink as needed as a tisane.
Your garden
Keeping a pot of rosemary in the garden ensures you’ll always have some fresh herbs on hand. In the winter, bring it inside on freezing days.
Zucchini
One of the most popular vegetarian dishes worldwide: zucchini sautéed with onion, garlic, oil and pinch of rosemary.
